Vermont State Board of Education has required it in schools since 2009. These can seem like powerful forces to go up against. Every other headline horrifies the public with another predator taking not just advantage of a child but everything from a child. 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. The bill had already passed the House . We live in a society that doesn't want to even address this issue. But Ashley begged her not to say anything because Richard had told her they would "lose the house" if the girls told anyone. The abuse continued until she was almost 9. Then, after seven months of back-and-forths, he wrote a heartfelt apology to Erin and asking for her forgiveness, but also understanding if she couldnt forgive him. MORE: Monmouth U. faces federal sexual assault case. The yearly videos had educated me, so I knew to tell the stranger to keep his change. When Merryn eventually confided in Ashley about what had happened, her friend was not surprised; in fact, the scene was depressingly familiar to her. As I describe in my books, that center was the foundation of my healing. Merryn cautions that you can never just go by how many registered sex offenders are in your area. 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. She is an activist against child sexual abuse. 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. 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. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. 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. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. 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.. Do you believe one word is more appropriate than the other? Merryn: I reclaimed my voice in the Children's Advocacy Center. This went on for a month before police got involved. 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. I remember reading this thinking, they dont teach us that in school. Maryland is the latest state, joining the crusade last month. This fundraiser is organized by Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (Caase). But then, it started happening behind closed doors at crowded family functions. Putting the lives of children in danger and possibly taking their innocence is worth it? On Thursday, Quinn signed "Erin's Law" at the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County in Hoffman Estates. Erin Merryn Mar 2004 - Present18 years 7 months Chicago, IL Erin is an author, writer, and activist. Its word for word my diary from the ages of 10 until my senior year of high school. Now she's on a quest to make sure lawmakers across America hear what she has to stay. I feel it would have given me the voice that these men took from me. She kept quiet, but behavior problems soon followed. Erin Merryn, the bill's namesake and a survivor of sexual abuse, said she is frustrated by the governor's slow response to sign it into law. Have there been times in your life when haven't done well? The path to justice for survivors of sexual assault is not an easy road. What once caused her shame, and something she never wanted to talk about, she now found herself wanting to turn it into a book. Childhood sexual abuse survivor turned author, speaker, child advocate and activist Erin Merryn is the founder and president of Erins Law. Unfortunately for many survivors they never see their perpetrators held accountable. 5 talking about this. At first, it happened when she was babysitting her younger cousins and their older brother would arrive home before their mother. My sister and I both left with stuffed animals and feeling like our secret was now in good hands. Merryn spoke to members of the Ohio Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee of how she was sexually abused as a child. Erin Elizabeth had cheerful holidays turned into a fight to protect herself from evil where she often lost. 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. One personal safety lesson learned at school that actually helped me in life was "stranger danger." Seconds later his hand was down her pants. He was free, but the rage inside Erin remained. "Alabama needs this law because just like everywhere else in America . My second abuser, my cousin, came from a family of all boys. Eventually, her parents and sisters moved to another town, closer to family. Merryn was also the owner of the viral Instagram cat, Bailey, until he died in December 2018. You will be believed.. Erin said the abuse stopped after her sister spoke up about her own abuse. Do you know if it was as healing for him as it was for you? Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. Merryn is now taking her fight to the state of Alabama. 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.. What do you think made him want to apologize, finally? Erin said they just wanted to make sure their nephew got help. By speaking up even when family is against the idea, it is freedom for a survivor and allows them to reclaim a piece of their lives back. The founder of Erin's Law. She has made it her mission in life to get this legislation passed in all 50 states. The reality is, 93 percent of the time it is not strangers that are hurting kids. She knew exactly what she was doing by asking simple questions on my life, friends, what I did for fun, and my family. 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. 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. Bucco introduced Erins Law (S-2145) on May 2. At age 17, she attempted suicide. 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. After enduring a childhood filled w. You seem incredibly resilient. He doesnt sleep out ever. Merryn advocates for sexual abuse victims. As an adult, she's reclaimed the voice her abusers tried to silence. Merryn now had a duty as a big sister to protect her younger sibling. Erins ongoing abuse with her friends uncle was over. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. I finally got, after seven months, what I had been looking for: an apology. (2016) Consider This Self - Author and Children's Advocate. The first abuser, our neighbor, is someone I think who did this to any girl he had access to. 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. It is currently passed in 37 states as of January 2021. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I met my best friend in kindergarten. One thing my abusers kept telling me was that I had no proof that they were hurting me, so why would anyone believe me? Alaska Dispatch: Silence is a powerful way in which sexual abuse is kept secret and is perpetuated. But nobody asked those important questions. She was afraid she would be a burden to her cousin and that no one would believe her. Erin wanted nothing more than to make him feel the hurt that she did. Merryn: The first thing someone can do is start talking about it. 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. 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. 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 . She didn't want to stop visiting her friend but tried to find times when Richard wasn't around. Carrot has 281,000 instagram followers. Instead I am still running from Brian. She wanted him to know how much his actions had affected her life. Erin Merryn is a powerful speaker and advocate for countless, faceless children and adults in our country who have similarly suffered sexual abuse. You've grown into a powerful voice who is bearing witness to the nation. I tell parents the best way to talk to kids about this is through the swimsuit lesson, Merryn said. Again, she was told to keep quiet, that no one would believe her if she said anything and that she had no proof. Erin is now on a mission to persuade all 50 states to pass Erins Law, which mandates that all public schools use age-appropriate curricula to teach students how to tell on anyone who touches or attempts to touch their private parts. Children are taught that the police are their to keep their communities safe and lock up the bad people. 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. 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. She was named Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year in 2012 and a People magazine Hero Among Us for her tireless work promoting Erin's Law nationwide with a mission to our keep children safe by educating them about personal body safety. 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. High near 60F. After years as a teen struggling with nightmares and flashbacks of my abuse, attempting suicide, self-injury, etc., I decided to use that voice to confront my abuser For seven months we corresponded in letters. It was the first time she supported a school mandate, and she retired later that year. Erin Merryn testified Tuesday in an Ohio Senate committee about 'Erin's Law.' Erin says she believes everyone is born with a purpose and she has found hers through the events that have occurred in her life. (2012) Fox News Self - Author of 'An Unimaginable Act'. Erin, now a 33-year-old wife and mother of two with one on the way, has spent the last eight years travelling to every state advocating for abused children. Two days later, their cousin was brought into the police station. Merryn: There is so much shame and stigma attached to sexual abuse. 46 reviews. The book is titled "Stolen Innocence." 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.. Merryn travels the country advocating for children who are victims of sexual assault. Erin Merryn, 30, a child sexual abuse survivor and creator of the legislation, said schools generally fail to give young students adequate awareness and a voice on the issue of sexual abuse. 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