He continued to abuse her on and off for nearly two years, she says, often at holidays and celebrations with her close-knit extended family. Again, she was told to keep quiet, that no one would believe her if she said anything and that she had no proof. Her courage breaking her silence allowed me to take a stand for both of us and be brave and tell her we can't keep this a secret, that we have to tell our parents. The same year I was born in 1985 was the first year the development of the first CAC in America was born in Alabama. Erin said the abuse stopped after her sister spoke up about her own abuse. In the wee hours of the night, Ashley's uncle "Richard" (not his real name), who lived in the house with his niece, appeared in the darkened room. So I stayed silent. --TV host Katie Couric, 1992, 2002, and 2006 Woman of the Year.After suffering years of sexual abuse for six years of her childhood Erin broke her silence when she was 13 at a Children's Advocacy Center. So far, her story has inspired many kids to speak up about abuse, and that has led to more predators put behind bars. On Thursday, Quinn signed "Erin's Law" at the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County in Hoffman Estates. My question to hotel or motel management would be, Why not tell? 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. 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. Names were the only thing she changed. They talked for hours about what had happened, and the next day told their parents about their shared horror. Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. She is the founder of Erin's Law, which requires public schools to teach children personal body safety on the prevention of child sexual abuse. I was keeping this secret with my best friend because he was also abusing her, Merryn said. House Bill 105 overwhelminglypassed the Ohio Housea year ago. Motel management is NOT obligated to tell guests sex offenders are next door. Her testimony was met with a standing ovation. She has now dedicated her life to protecting our nations children. It just turned into a screaming match between my mom and his mom, your son did this, your girls are liars, remembered Erin. She didn't want to stop visiting her friend but tried to find times when Richard wasn't around. Illinois is the fifth state to pass Erin's Law since she took up the cause. The yearly videos had educated me, so I knew to tell the stranger to keep his change. Eventually, her parents and sisters moved to another town, closer to family. Merryn: This wasn't bad luck. The cousin used the same tactic as her first abuser telling her no one would believe her and there was no proof. Merryn: I didn't expect a response back from my cousin because my letter was very harsh filled with so much anger and rage. The Church Sex Abuse Scandals Around the World, Child-Abuse Case Reveals Vietnam's Lax Social Services, (Read why most child abuse goes unreported). It is my hope hearing my message today youll see the importance of what Im here to talk to you about, said Erin Merryn. The first episode began on a warm May night in 1991. The next steps for the bill remain unknown. Visiting Alaska this week, Erin Merryn is a long way from home, and even farther from the torturous past she endured as a sexually abused child. Eleven states have passed the legislation. 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. 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. High near 60F. Why is it so difficult to talk about? The abuse continued until she was almost 9. 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. Look out for motels that might house sex offenders. Info here from RAINNwww.rainn.org/news/president-signs-measures-support-state-action-prevent-and-address-child-sexual-abuseErin's media appearances have included Access Hollywood 2020Tamron Hall 2020HLN 2020CBS Morning Show 2019The Morning Blend 2019CNN 2018, HLN 2018, BUILD 2018 TLC Breaking the Silence Documentary TODAY show 2015, Nancy Grace 2015, ABC Nightline 2015, CNN 2015, Dr. Drew 2015, Inside Edition 2015, MSNBC 2015, Oprah Winfrey Network 2014, Windy City Live 2014, MSNBC 2013, FOX 2013, Katie Couric 2013, Oprah Life Class 2012, CNN 2012, Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell 2011, Oprah Winfrey Show October 2010, Montel Williams in April/July 2006, and Good Morning America in May 2006. Its word for word my diary from the ages of 10 until my senior year of high school. So many children will be protected because of her." 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. This law could have given me the ability to know I would be believed, that this is not a secret to keep, and how to report it. 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. Caught you off guard? 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. I continued to write him because I wanted answers. She came to me after I had been abused for two years and told me words I never expected to hear, that she too was being abused by the same family member. 25 $. Erin says she believes everyone is born with a purpose and she has found hers through the events that have occurred in her life. As the abuse continued, and as she was forced to see her abuser over and over again in social situations, she struggled with . Merryn was also the owner of the viral Instagram cat, Bailey, until he died in December 2018. Merryn: Yes. More than 90 percent of children who are sexually abused know their attacker, Bucco said with conviction. Merryn advocates for sexual abuse victims. Soon it was no longer our secret and I was behind a different closed door not the one to a bedroom, a bathroom, basement, or closet but this time into a colorful room with a small table and bright light shinning through the skylight. There was one good thing about my sister coming forward, she said. Usually, the abuse isnt at the hands of a stranger, rather someone they know and trust. But when it came to being sexually abused, there was nothing. will then mail or hand the parents or responsible adult family member the Megans Law information. My favorite story is out of my own state of Illinois (One lawmaker) had been against school mandates her entire career, and (the sponsor) warned me, she is going to get on her mic and go on about how this should not be passed, schools should not be mandated to do things, etc. All rights reserved. As the abuse continued, and as she was forced to see her abuser over and over again in social situations, she struggled with self-doubt, panic attacks, nightmares and the weight of whether or not to tell her terrible secret. 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. As the abuse continued, and as she was forced to see her abuser over and over again in social situations, she struggled with self-doubt, panic attacks, nightmares and the weight of whether or not to tell her . Through her speeches and books, Erin is an inspiration to professionals working daily to fight child abuse. The areas covered by your swimsuit are not for anyone to be touching, unless mommy and daddy are helping you with a bath. Families pressuring loved ones to stay quiet is not uncommon, but as I often like to tell survivors, by speaking up you are not only helping yourself heal; you will help save other children from experiencing this same horror at the hands of their abuser. (See Gary Glitter's sex scandal.). And a third girl I know was also abused by him. Confronting him empowered me and eventually allowed me to forgive him when he wrote a letter apologizing. He cornered her in basements, bathrooms and bedrooms, always reminding her that she shouldn't bother telling anyone because no one would believe her. Behind those numbers are the faces of innocent children whose childhoods were shattered by actions of evil and sickness. Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. Wow, I have a decision to make. The day I left that place I took a piece of my life back, and that was my voice. Who encouraged you to keep talking, to keep fighting? Merryn kept her confusion to herself. EN RU CN DE ES. Erin is a mom to three little girls. Sharing those details can be difficult because as survivors, they bring us back to the place where we endured the horror. When I look at you, I see nothing but scum. Merryn: There is so much shame and stigma attached to sexual abuse. Nightmares. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I met my best friend in kindergarten. How do you identify? 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! Ill never be abused again, its just all gonna go away.. 7Erin Merryn is a Woman of the Year because"She's taken her personal crusade and turned it into a public one. Here's a glimpse of her life and why she's on a quest for social change. They never came, so I stayed silent. Alaska Dispatch: So often we hear about "helpers" who encouraged a victim to come forward, or reported for him or her. Erin Merryn from Elgin, Illinois, was just weeks shy of her seventh birthday when she was raped by an adult neighbor. Erin said all she ever learnedin school was aboutstranger danger. But knowing it was not strangers who abused her,she has made it her mission as an adult to make sure kids in K-12 schoolsacross the countryonce a year learnfroma school psychologist or social workerabout personal body safety education. The law was passed in a number of states,[7] with New York becoming the 37th in 2019. Then, Erin said she told her family too. I went to bed night after night crying into my pillow having nightmares, and keeping my secrets locked away in my childhood diary., Merryn found her voice at 13 when her younger sister said the words shell never forget: Brians gross!. The family pressed charges against Brian, who ultimately admitted to three counts of sexual abuse. Do you believe one word is more appropriate than the other? She explained to her cousin that she didnt want to publish it out of revenge, rather to help the millions of other sexual assault survivors. Erin Merryn's memoir is about how her life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted."I thought when the abuse stopped I could move on with my life. Erin's Law, named after Erin Merryn, has passed in 36 states and is pending in the other 14. Alaska's version of Erin's Law is currently under consideration by the Alaska State Legislature as House Bill 233. I guess what I was trying to ask is, why do you think your abusers chose you instead of some other girl as a target? Named by PEOPLE Magazine a HEROES Among us and one of fifteen women changing the world. Here's How We Amplify It | National Children's Alliance", "Erin Merryn Fights for Law to Help Child Sexual Assault Victims", "Erin's Law: When the Abuser Is No Stranger", "State Senate Passes Erin Merryn's Law Aimed at Child Sex Abuse Prevention", "Survivor Recalls Alleged Incest in Book", "Child Sexual Abuse Survivor Gets Law Passed", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Erin_Merryn&oldid=1132623568, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 19:15. Alaska Dispatch: Resiliency can be an important factor in how well survivors of abuse cope and in whether they go on to lead a healthy, happy life. I am so confident I will get this law passed in all 50 states, because God has already told me it will happen. Someone should have known in my earlier years when I was being abused by an adult neighbor. "Alabama needs this law because just like everywhere else in America . The man had threatened Merryn that hed hurt her more if she told anyone. I remember walking out into the parking lot and feeling this sense of relief.Seven months later I would return back for the first time since my interview to begin a group with other girls who were survivors in January 1999. The instruction will be provided by a school nurse who has completed professional development sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention. It was the first federal bill passed funding sexual abuse prevention education. But both she and her sister did tell their stories. "Erin's Law" is named after Schaumburg native and activist Erin Merryn. 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. COURIER/JOELLYN CURRY So before CAC's a child brought to a police station could be filled with anxiety and fear that they are in trouble. The only message I got as a child came from my abusers and that was to stay silent or else, she said. Erin Merryn (born February 2, 1985) is the author of Stolen Innocence, Living for Today, and An Unimaginable Act. The man, then in his late 20s, abused her several more times in the next year, including, she says, raping her during a daytime visit when she thought he wouldn't be home. Anyone who has felt victimized, ashamed, isolated, and silenced by their abusers will receive a road-map in the book for self-discovery, forgiveness, and empowerment to overcome trauma and live fully and fearlessly for today. He'd conditioned and kept me silent for two years, so he knew he could get away with that behavior, even with so many people around. Merryn: What caused me to come forward was unfortunately finding out that my little sister was also being abused. Her dad singled me out during the party. 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