This fundraiser is organized by Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (Caase). Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Merryn: What caused me to come forward was unfortunately finding out that my little sister was also being abused. In 2013, Governor Quinn signed it into law requiring Illinois schools to teach it every single year. We've had an unprecedented change for our Gingerbread House Partners in Prevention 2021 Luncheon and we couldn't be more excited! I just figured I told my mom, and I never had to talk about this again. Carrot has 281,000 instagram followers. The book is titled "Stolen Innocence." I eventually would return back to the room I was interviewed in nine months later when I began doing individual counseling but was still not ready to go there into details the shame overwhelmed me however I did learn to finally stop blaming myself for what happened to my younger sister and my entire family. The abuse continued until she was almost 9. Silence Broken and Stigmas Shattered -- Help for Incest Survivors Is Here Fans of Erin Merryn's heart-wrenching debut memoir Stolen Innocence were left wondering at the end what would become of an emotionally fragile Erin after her confrontation with the reality of being a child of incest and molestation. The two continued to correspond for seven months. This representative did get on her mic. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Merryn saidif parents are not comfortable, the bill allows parents toopt their kids out of the education. Erin Merryn is among the many that came across the story. The words of my cousin began haunting me. Unfortunately for many survivors they never see their perpetrators held accountable. And a third girl I know was also abused by him. Merryn spoke to members of the Ohio SenatePrimary and Secondary Education Committee of how she was sexually abused as a child. Child molestation is an epidemic that needs to end now. In 2014 People magazine named her one of fifteen women changing the world along with Oprah and Hillary Clinton. Says Merryn: "[Ashley] made me pinky promise not to say anything. The same year I was born in 1985 was the first year the development of the first CAC in America was born in Alabama. When Merryn eventually confided in Ashley about what had happened, her friend was not surprised; in fact, the scene was depressingly familiar to her. But both she and her sister did tell their stories. Read more 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. You've grown into a powerful voice who is bearing witness to the nation. From the age of 11 to 13, I was repeatedly sexually abused at the hands of a family member, an older cousin, she said. One thing my abusers kept telling me was that I had no proof that they were hurting me, so why would anyone believe me? Erin Merryn detailed the treatment and help she received from the Children's Advocacy Center, which has 900 locations across the U.S.A. - a safe environment for children to share their stories of abuse. By breaking your silence you are reclaiming your voice. She is an activist against child sexual abuse. Low near 30F. 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. Merryn: I reclaimed my voice in the Children's Advocacy Center. EN. Childhood sexual abuse survivor turned author, speaker, child advocate and activist Erin Merryn is the founder and president of Erins Law. Its somebody they know and trust.. Visit Amazon.au's Erin Merryn Page and shop for all Erin Merryn books. 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. Merryn worked with U.S. It allowed me to go on this mission to be a face and voice for millions by letting go of hatred and instead turning pain into a purpose. You will be believed.. 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! They talked for hours about what had happened, and the next day told their parents about their shared horror. 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. Two days later, their cousin was brought into the police station. She began to think about all the other prevention classes and drills she learned in school: how to say no to drugs, what to do in case of a fire, what to do in case of a tornado, how to never answer the door if parents arent home. See her personal website at ErinMerryn.net. She published a book called Bailey No Ordinary Cat that showcases Bailey's unusually gentle interactions with her three children. See the sex abuse in Israel's ultra-orthodox community. Meanwhile, the survivor who came up with the idea aftersufferingher own personal horrors shared her story with senators Tuesday. The two families have ceased having contact. I left all the fragmented sentences, misspelled words, because I wanted readers to hear the voice of a young child.. In it, Erin chronicles how she cultivated the strength to face her abuser and eventually found relief from years of emotional restlessness, while also igniting the beginnings of a new fearless journey. After it was republished by Health Communications in early 2005, she began traveling the nation telling her story about the sexual abuse she endured at hundreds of high schools, colleges, sexual assault centers, child abuse conferences and community events. But at age 11, Merryn's second nightmare began. There, at her friends house, in the middle of the night, she was sexually assaulted by her friends uncle. Merryn travels the country advocating for children who are victims of sexual assault. Illinois is the fifth state to pass Erin's Law since she took up the cause. She is an activist against child sexual abuse as well as the founder of Erin's Law, which requires public schools to teach children personal body safety in order to prevent child sexual abuse. Thirty-seven states have passed Erins Law and Merryn has tried three times in seven years to get the bill passed in Ohio. The fact that a motel is not telling families that sex offenders are living there should be a crime, Merryn said. will then mail or hand the parents or responsible adult family member the Megans Law information. Merryn: The first thing someone can do is start talking about it. My sister and I both left with stuffed animals and feeling like our secret was now in good hands. I found hope and healing there and people that believed me. In Living for Today, readers find that Erin cultivated the strength to face her abuser . When people ask how I have overcome all that I have and doing what I am doing now, passing Erin's Law in 11 states, 26 introducing it and going to each capital to testify on it, I tell them all of this comes from our creator. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. When Erin Merryn was a child, she was sexually abused by two people she knew and trusted, including a family member. Merryn advocates for sexual abuse victims. 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. Details Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. 4 mos. Merryn believes more can be done to ensure children also learn how learn how to protect themselves from sexual predators. Merryn's family, including her two sisters, moved to another neighborhood in the same town when Merryn was 8, and she stopped seeing Ashley. Young children tend to hear a lot of messages about avoiding interactions with people they don't know, when in reality they are far more likely to face harm from a relative or family friend. One day, a particular entry she wrote caught her eye. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Those were just the number of children who broke their silence that year. The abuse went on for years. Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. Check out Erins third book, An Unimagiable Act. This book describes Erins journey across America to get Erins Law passed and resources for survivors, parents, and educators. The parents can then share the information that the schools provided with anyone else in their household. Realizing I was not a fault and learning to let go of the guilt. "It's something that is going to be with me the rest of my life," Erin said. Wow, I have a decision to make. As a result, she has been interviewed by many major news organizations and TV programs beginning in 2006, on Good Morning America, Oprah, CNN, Today Show, Fox, Katie Couric, Nightline, TLC, OWN, MSNBC, People Magazine, Time Magazine, Glamour Magazine, USA Today, London Times, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and dozens more local media. Therapists (and) an amazing school psychologist in high school really helped me heal. 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. She was also afraid she would lose her innocence. Merryn was also the owner of the viral Instagram cat, Bailey, until he died in December 2018. At no time should the school provide the information directly to the student (unless the student is over 18). I will not stop until children in all 50 states are protected from sexual abuse.". It happened again after we moved away, when a cousin started abusing me in my sleep when I was 11 years old. Forgiveness set me free. Merryn lay on blankets on the floor next to Ashley, who was in her bed. It allowed me to let go of the bitterness, anger and rage I had toward him and find the freedom and peace I longed for and the ability to turn this painful event into something positive. Erin's Law has passed in 21 states and is pending in 22 others. 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. 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. Alaska Dispatch: When you decided to confront and start corresponding with your cousin, how did it go at first? After reading that letter, a switch flipped inside Erin. 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. It is currently passed in 37 states as of January 2021. Should someone have known something was wrong sooner? Erin Merryn is a powerful speaker and advocate for countless, faceless children and adults in our country who have similarly suffered sexual abuse. Usually, the abuse isnt at the hands of a stranger, rather someone they know and trust. Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. Erin Merryn (born February 2, 1985) is the author of Stolen Innocence, Living for Today, and An Unimaginable Act. In 2013 Governor Quinn signed Erins Law mandating child sexual abuse education in all Illinois public schools. In 2010, Merryn began a crusade to get Erin's Law passed across America. You seem incredibly resilient. Merryn: This wasn't bad luck. For the next hour I relived as much as I was capable of sharing and just kept finding myself focusing on the large mirror having no clue their was a detective on the other side listening to my entire story and am very glad I did not know. Visit sheriffalerts.com to find out if there are sex offenders in your area. But nobody asked those important questions. Putting the lives of children in danger and possibly taking their innocence is worth it? Erin is a mom to three little girls. Senator Gillibrand on the federal version of Erin's Law to give federal funding to the law, and in December 2015 President Obama signed the federal version of Erin's Law under the Every Student Succeeds Act. 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. It can happen to anyone, which is why we need to empower our children with their voice to speak up and tell and to not keep it a secret if they are abused. 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 founder of Erin's Law. Did you ever wonder, or ever ask him, why he did what he did? These can seem like powerful forces to go up against. Read more about Erin Merryn on her Erin's Law Facebook page and her website. Erin Merryn from Elgin, Illinois, was just weeks shy of her seventh birthday when she was raped by an adult neighbor. Merryn cautions that you can never just go by how many registered sex offenders are in your area. 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. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Erin has worked diligently to lobby every state to pass Erin's Law, beginning with her home state of Illinois in 2009. Merryn said the abuse only stopped because her family moved away. Sponsored by Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, HB 233 puts Alaska among the states considering "Erin's Law" in 2014. Merryn is now taking her fight to the state of Alabama. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. She is an activist against child sexual abuse as well as the founder of Erin's Law, which requires public schools to teach children personal body safety in order to prevent child sexual abuse. Known For. 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. So, she forgave him. Sunshine and a few clouds. It wasnt until Erin was 13 and found out the same thing was happening to her little sister (then age 11), that she decided she needed to speak out. 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. 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. (2012) Fox News Self - Author of 'An Unimaginable Act'. 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 . She is the author of Stolen Innocence, Living for . In December 2015, President Obama signed the federal version of Erin's Law providing federal funding toschools to provide this education. 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. 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. Hes grown into quite the little man and doesnt want me near the bathroom when he showers or gets dressed and I respect that. Statistics show that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. Eleven states have passed the legislation. Victims are those who don't survive. I remember reading this thinking, they dont teach us that in school. InDecember 2015 President Obama signed thefederal version of Erin's Law providing federal funding for schools to use. Erin Merryn is an author (Stolen Innocence, Living for Today, An Unimaginable Act), activist, and founder of Erin's Law. High near 60F. She is the force behind passing Erin's Law across America. Alaska Dispatch: What can someone reading about this do in their own life, or change about their own perspective, to make coming forward easier for victims? Merryn: My resilience took a lot of psychological help growing up as a kid, teen, and young adult. 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 . 5 talking about this. 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. Have there been times in your life when haven't done well? This went on for a month before police got involved. A judge did sentenced her cousin to probation and counseling. It was taught every year, and when a creepy van pulled up when I was 12 having a lemonade and the man put his hand out the window asking me to take the change those lessons immediately played back in my mind. Instead I am still running from Brian. 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. Now I have somebody I love and trust abusing me," Merryn said. Choosing to forgive has led me to live for today. I also encourage parents to have a code word with their kids, she said. 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. Merryn realized he had been molesting her sister too. 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 is the author of three books about surviving incest, including "Living for Today." She also speaks nationally on the subject. How did you find this voice? Only this time, the person behind it was her older cousin, a nice young man with a bright future to whom she looked at as the brother she never had.. As an adult, she's reclaimed the voice her. See all See top. In a Q&A with Alaska Dispatch before boarding her flight north, Merryn wasn't shy about sharing the difficulties she's experienced, including a suicide attempt, or the one thing that happened to make her finally tell someone she was being hurt. CBS News' Reena Ninan visited a public school in Illinois to see how the school teaches kids about safe . After an evening of playing with Ashley's dollhouse and watching The Little Mermaid, the girls went to bed in Ashley's room. 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. [2] The family pressed charges, and the cousin eventually confessed to three counts of child sexual abuse. It was a detailed account of how an officer came to her school to talk about stranger danger. When I look at you, I see nothing but scum. 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. As I often tell people, our innocence was stolen, (our) trust taken, but the one thing we can reclaim as survivors is our voices. Our guest speaker for the Luncheon will now be Erin Merryn, childhood sexual abuse survivor turned author, speaker, child advocate and activist, and the force behind Erin . Author of Stolen Innocence, Living for Today Bad things happen to children all the time. Erin said the abuse stopped after her sister spoke up about her own abuse. Donors may not deduct contributions made to Erins Law under IRC Section 170 (c) (2). Erin Elizabeth was sexually abused from 11-13 by her older cousin. 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. Before . I feel it would have given me the voice that these men took from me. MORE: Moms and dads, can we talk about stranger danger? They never came, so I stayed silent. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Requiring personal body safety education in public schools. But her nightmare was just beginning. She now runs Carrot's Instagram and shares pictures of Carrot sharing a similar demeanor of her previously owned cat, Bailey. I am so confident I will get this law passed in all 50 states, because God has already told me it will happen. 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. 2019 TIME USA, LLC. 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. But Ashley begged her not to say anything because Richard had told her they would "lose the house" if the girls told anyone. Now she's on a quest to make sure lawmakers across America hear what she has to stay. I remember immediately after answering the interviewer I said "That's the reason I didn't tell before, I kept it to myself because I thought no one would believe me." Erins ongoing abuse with her friends uncle was over. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) During her quest,. If you tell anybody, you will destroy our family, she said.. 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. Erin's Law, which debuted in Illinois, is now in 37 states and mandates that public schools teach age-appropriate sex abuse prevention to grades as young as pre-K. Merryn said those lessons on . The areas covered by your swimsuit are not for anyone to be touching, unless mommy and daddy are helping you with a bath. In just a few short years, she has already persuaded half the countryto pass similar versions of the law. Merryn found her voice at 13 when her younger sister said the words she'll never forget: "Brian's gross!" It turned out cousin Brian was abusing Merryn's little sister, too. The school, community organization, day care center, etc. Her older cousin sexually abused her from 11-13 years old. "I just stared at the ceiling waiting for it to end." All rights reserved. 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. Little did I know by moving I was getting that much closer to my next abuser. Almost all states that have passed it are using the program, while some states are deciding how their schools will implement It into the curriculum.. 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. I can remember that as if it happened yesterday. Who encouraged you to keep talking, to keep fighting? Illinois is the first state by law to mandate Erins Law. But her parents thought it was because of health problems she was having at the time. My mom was a mess, that day she probably cried for 10 straight hours, looking at my dad saying, we missed all the red flags, her grades, she was depressed, Erin recalled. However, during the hearing Tuesday,Ohio State Sen. Sandra OBrien, R-Ashtabula, told Merryn that whileshe was sorry about what happened to her,there will always be evil in the world.. While the party was going on, and my friend's mom was in the house, this neighbor cornered me in a bathroom and abused me. Your area keep fighting get Erins Law done well, the abuse isnt the! Page and her website now she 's on a quest to make sure lawmakers across America reclaimed my voice the. Was not a fault and learning to let go of the Law: what caused to... Experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app show that one four... Took from me after reading that letter, a particular entry she wrote caught her eye about her abuse! Year the development of the viral Instagram cat, Bailey showcases Bailey 's unusually gentle with... Bailey no Ordinary cat that showcases Bailey 's unusually gentle interactions with her friends house in. Schools provided with anyone else in their household took from me if you anybody! 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