Erin's Law was the first law passed in the United States requiring sexual abuse prevention education to be taught to students in school every year, and it was subsequently passed in 38 U.S. states before being signed into federal law. He was the father of my best friend. 35. There is a misconception about this issue many people think sexual abuse only happens to the poor, to people who come from broken homes, etc. (2013) CNN Newsroom Self - Child Abuse Survivor. And it was at her house the very first overnight that I woke up to her uncle who lived in the home sexually abusing me, said Merryn. At a family gathering at her grandparents' lake house, she awoke in the middle of the night to find her cousin "Brian" (again, not his real name), then 13, lying next to her with his hands down her underwear. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The first episode began on a warm May night in 1991. He was free, but the rage inside Erin remained. Someone should have known in my earlier years when I was being abused by an adult neighbor. "I just stared at the ceiling waiting for it to end." After her parents decided to move Erin's abuse ended but only brought her that much closer to her next abuser, an older teenage cousin who lived . Merryn said the abuse only stopped because her family moved away. Why is it so difficult to talk about? The instruction will be provided by a school nurse who has completed professional development sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention. (Josh Rultenberg/Spectrum News 1), California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Ohio Senate is considering a bill to teach elementary, middle and high school students how to protect themselves from sexual predators, Erins Law is named after Erin Merryn who was sexually abused as a child, Thirty-seven states have passed Erins Law and Merryn has tried three times in seven years to get the bill passed in Ohio, House Bill 105 overwhelmingly passed the Ohio House a year ago. But both she and her sister did tell their stories. Every six minutes a child is sexually abused in the U.S. One in every 4 girls and 6 boys will be sexually assaulted before the turn 18 over 90% by a family member or friend. [3], She graduated from Schaumburg High School in 2004[4] and earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Western Illinois University in 2008. The day I left that place I took a piece of my life back, and that was my voice. Erin is a mom to three little girls. Erin first gained public attention for this cause when she self-published her first book while still a senior in high school in Schaumburg IL, entitled: Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir. Erin Merryn, Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir 0 likes Like "Brian, this letter is probably coming as a complete surprise to you, but I didn't feel I should warn you since you never warned me when you were going to use my body for own damn pleasures. But many schools, she said, are using faculty social workers and psychologists because research shows its better taught by in-house staff then outside agencies. Here's how to protect your kids from online predators. A safe touch could be a high five or hug and an unsafe touch is someone touching you in the areas covered by your swimsuit, or your private parts, Merryn said. Alaska Dispatch: You have since spoken up in a big way. When she is traveling to state capitols or speaking engagements she is entertaining her 270,000Instagram followers that follow her famous cat. My name is Erin Merryn and I am a survivor of child sexual abuse. "It's something that is going to be with me the rest of my life," Erin said. While these inhumane animals may live among us, there is one sexual abuse survivor who has made it her mission to empower children about these evil, sick people and teach them about body safety. Unfortunately, children who are abused once are at even higher risk of being abused again by someone else because they are vulnerable and easy to prey on. Merryn (whose other books are Stolen Innocence and Living for Today), the mother of a toddler girl, says this is a conversation parents must have every year and often. Before . CAC The place Erin Merryn broke her silence The Children's Advocacy Center of Northwest Cook County Illinois In 1998 seventy five thousand six hundred and forty seven abused children were seen in one hundred and thirty nine Children's Advocacy Centers in America. On Thursday, Quinn signed "Erin's Law" at the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County in Hoffman Estates. My mission, through this legislation, is to educate children on what I never learned. Merryn says starting when she was six, she was sexually abused by a neighbor, then at 11 by an older cousin. Immediately I thought I was being asked this question because she already did not believe me. She is the founder of Erin's Law, which is a group advocating for child sexual abuse awareness. Alaska Dispatch: Thank you for reminding us that abuse happens across all socioeconomic conditions. In 2013 Governor Quinn signed Erins Law mandating child sexual abuse education in all Illinois public schools. www.accessonline.com/videos/ellen-degeneres-gives-internet-famous-cat-a-call-in-quarantine, www.rainn.org/news/president-signs-measures-support-state-action-prevent-and-address-child-sexual-abuse, www.accessonline.com/videos/ellen-degeneres-gives-internet-famous-cat-a-call-in-quarantine. How did you find this voice? Erin Merryn born February 2 1985 is the author of Stolen Innocence Living for Today An Unimaginable Act Bailey No Ordinary Cat and The Diary of a Cat. 25 $. I can spend the rest of my life hating him, or I can forgive him and do something positive about this thing that continues to be a negative thing in my life, she said. But nothing prepared her for two traumatizing events that have turned Merryn, now 25, into an activist, determined to prevent the same thing from happening to other children. You will eventually hear about this law being passed in all 50 states, and I plan on one day taking it and making it international, said Erin. After her parents decided to move Erins abuse ended but only brought her that much closer to her next abuser, an older teenage cousin who lived down the street from her. Erin Merryn (born February 2, 1985) is the author of Stolen Innocence, Living for Today, and An Unimaginable Act. I had only ever been told no one (would) believe me, I feared ruining our large extended family when they learned a family member (teenage cousin) was molesting my sister and I. Sixteen years ago, on March 29, 1998, my sister broke her silence to me. As a young child from 6 to 8 (years old), when the neighbor was abusing me, he warned me if I told anyone he would come get me; he knew where I lived. Two days later, their cousin was brought into the police station. She has made it her mission in life to get this legislation passed in all 50 states. I wanted to know why, and when I asked if he was abused, he denied it and said he abused me out of curiosity and an urge of sexuality. Erin Merryn (Author) 139 ratings Kindle Edition $17.99 Read with Our Free App Paperback $16.56 16 Used from $11.22 5 New from $45.35 Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. However, Merryn said this time the perpetrator was an older cousin, someone she had viewed as a brother figure. Erin Merryn (born February 2, 1985) is the author of Stolen Innocence, Living for Today, An Unimaginable Act, Bailey No Ordinary Cat, and The Diary of a Cat Named Carrot. She is at war against this silent evil that is lurking in the shadows and is devoted to opening the eyes of the public to the tens of thousands of children who are being abused right now silently in our own communities and backyards without our knowledge. After enduring a childhood filled w. Erin Elizabeth heard over the years from 11-13 "Nobody will believe you, you have no proof, you will destroy our large extended family, this is our secret don't tell anyone." But when it came to being sexually abused, there was nothing. Erins Law soon caught on nationwide. Alaska's version of Erin's Law is currently under consideration by the Alaska State Legislature as House Bill 233. A voice that flies across America and speaks at many of these CAC's that exist taking people back to my experience at the CAC and this time sharing all the details because I no longer carry the shame but instead a voice bringing awareness to these incredible centers that give children a new start on life and a path toward healing. When I look at you, I see nothing but scum. [7] She published her diary detailing her cousin's abuse and her own recovery, relapse and reconciliation in book form as Stolen Innocence in 2005. But Ashley begged her not to say anything because Richard had told her they would "lose the house" if the girls told anyone. I was a senior in high school when I published my first book, my childhood diary where I kept my secrets of abuse with my cousin locked away. "The new bill brings a mandate," Merryn said, "mandating that all (Illinois) schools--pre-school through 12th grade--must begin next fall teaching sexual-abuse prevention education in the schools." Choosing to forgive has led me to live for today.. It was the first federal bill passed funding sexual abuse prevention education. Erins Law encourages research based curriculum, Merryn said. So, instead of speaking out, the only person she told her thoughts and feelings to was herself in the form of a little pink diary. The book is titled "Stolen Innocence." She told them that, growing up in Illinois, she had experienced tornado drills, fire drills and bus drills; was taught about stranger danger and eight ways to say no to drugs through D.A.R.E., but no one ever taught her how to protect herself from sexual abuse and what to do if a family member or friend molested or raped her. 2022 Anchorage Daily News. But her parents thought it was because of health problems she was having at the time. I also learned in group how to create a safe place to escape to when memories flooded my memory.While I was not ready at thirteen and fourteen to immediately share the journey of what all I went through because I was still too ashamed the Children's Advocacy Center laid the foundation in my healing to one day let that voice be heard. Known For. Vermont State Board of Education has required it in schools since 2009. Later, just weeks before her seventh birthday, she was raped by the same man. In 1998 seventy five thousand six hundred and forty seven abused children were seen in one hundred and thirty nine Children's Advocacy Centers in America. She was also afraid she would lose her innocence. Well, something shocking happened. Merryn travels the country bearing witness to what happened to her in hopes of encouraging states to enact laws requiring sexual abuse education in schools. Because so often, people that are being abused do not report it until theyre in their 30s, 40s and 50s cause nobody ever gave them the message onhow tospeak up and tell, Merryn said. Forgiving him did not mean what he did was right, she stressed. Check out pictures, bibliography, and biography of Erin Merryn The yearly videos had educated me, so I knew to tell the stranger to keep his change. Acting out both at home and in school, she was given an IEP (Individual Education Plan) and was told she was just going through a phase; that her parents brief separation was the probable root cause. Erin wanted nothing more than to make him feel the hurt that she did. One day, a particular entry she wrote caught her eye. I survived it and eventually learned how to thrive from it by breaking my silence and putting a face and voice on this silent epidemic. (2013) Under Erins Law, the New Jersey Commissioner of Education must provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to implement this requirement. But at age 11, Merryn's second nightmare began. So far, her story has inspired many kids to speak up about abuse, and that has led to more predators put behind bars. Alaska Dispatch: When you broke your silence and spoke up, was it frightening? 5 talking about this. He did respond admitting what he did and saying he is using his past to not make the same mistakes now in his life. Erin Merryn A Voice for the Voiceless Author, Activist, Speaker, wife, mother, and force behind Erin's Law Glamour Magazine 2012 Woman of the Year. I will fight alongside Erin and the advocates right here in our community until the day that this lifesaving legislation finally becomes law.. Two against one, somebody had to believe us.. Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. These days hes almost 9 and I dont really tag along to play dates anymore, but every time I drop him off, I tell him, if you have to use the bathroom, lock the door and have privacy. The only difference is now I am running from him in my dreams" (Merryn 49). It happened again after we moved away, when a cousin started abusing me in my sleep when I was 11 years old. To a child who has been told so many threats to stay silent the idea of being taken to a police station can often scare a child. InDecember 2015 President Obama signed thefederal version of Erin's Law providing federal funding for schools to use. Erin Merryn is a 21-year-old college sophomore who wrote a book, "Stolen Innocence: Memoir," about her struggles after she claims she was molested by her first cousin. Two of those children were my sister and I. At first, it happened when she was babysitting her younger cousins and their older brother would arrive home before their mother. Thats precisely why she does what she does. You have permission to edit this article. Behind those numbers are the faces of innocent children whose childhoods were shattered by actions of evil and sickness. Product Details Resources and Downloads Stolen Innocence Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir By Erin Merryn Published by Health Communications Inc EB Distributed by Simon & Schuster LIST PRICE $12.99 PRICE MAY VARY BY RETAILER Get a FREE ebook by joining our mailing list today! A judge did sentenced her cousin to probation and counseling. She shows no signs of fatigue, and she seems ready. The place Erin reclaimed her voice and began her journey to healing. The founder of Erin's Law. She has appeared on Oprah, Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox, MSNBC, TLC documentary Breaking the Silence, CBS This Morning, Katie Couric, Tamaron Hall, 700 Club, and over 200 local media stations. Buccos legislation has received support from prominent victims rights advocates and support organizations, including Morris County advocate Richard Pompelio; and Patrice Lenowitz, founder and executive director of The Nurtured Parent Support Group for Survivors of Domestic Abuse, a Bergen County organization serving survivors and protective parents across the state. One personal safety lesson learned at school that actually helped me in life was "stranger danger." At age 17, she attempted suicide. My sister and I told our parents the next day (and) we were referred to the Children's Advocacy Center by police detectives to be interviewed. I always feared he would come back. At the age of 13, Erin finally got the courage to tell her parents after learning her younger sister was being abused by that same cousin. My abusers threatened me, and I believed them. 2019 TIME USA, LLC. Bucco introduced Erins Law (S-2145) on May 2. This fundraiser is organized by Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (Caase). We need to start teaching kids this, she said. Read more Again, she was told to keep quiet, that no one would believe her if she said anything and that she had no proof. The brilliant minds behind putting in place a center that had a home away from home feeling to give children a sense of security and comfort.At thirteen was the age I walked through the CAC. I was told repeatedly by my cousin that I had no proof, that he would deny it, that no one would believe me. MORE: Cancer-surviving mom stays strong for her son. House Bill 105 overwhelminglypassed the Ohio Housea year ago. After graduating, Erin went on to earn her Masters degree in social work, but from time to time she would still consult her little pink childhood diary. Merryn travels the country advocating for children who are victims of sexual assault. Erin endured the abuse from age 6 to 8 and from 11 to 13 and felt the long-lasting effects of her guilt, shame and loss of innocence. And for the next year and a half, repeatedly told me, This is our little secret. Sexually abused as a. No one would believe me, she recalls this man telling her. The woman behind the bill, Erin Merryn visited Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square on Friday, making it [] CENTRAL SQUARE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Erin's Law its now in 37 states . 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