What's your advice for sexual abuse victims who may want to come forward, but who feel the abuse is better kept secret or forgotten? Unthinkable acts. Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. Buccos bill requires all school districts to incorporate age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness and prevention education in grades preschool through 12 as part of Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. 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. 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. 2022 Anchorage Daily News. 2019 TIME USA, LLC. Later, just weeks before her seventh birthday, she was raped by the same man. He cornered her in basements, bathrooms and bedrooms, always reminding her that she shouldn't bother telling anyone because no one would believe her. Erin says she believes everyone is born with a purpose and she has found hers through the events that have occurred in her life. You have permission to edit this article. "Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I met my best friend in kindergarten. My sister and I were the only girls that he was around all the time. The first episode began on a warm May night in 1991. Sexually abused and raped from age 6-8 by an adult neighbor Erin was threatened to stay silent by her abuser. Two days later, their cousin was brought into the police station. Meanwhile, the survivor who came up with the idea aftersufferingher own personal horrors shared her story with senators Tuesday. She is the author of Stolen Innocence, Living for . Bad things happen to children all the time. Little did I realize, that by moving, I was getting that much closer to the next perpetrator in my life, she said. Teaching kids the differences between safe and unsafe touch, safe and unsafe secrets, how to report this to a safe adult and to keep reporting it if your abuse does not end, said Merryn. She is the founder of Erin's Law, which requires public schools to teach children personal body safety on the prevention of child sexual ab Erin is a mom to three little girls. It is my hope hearing my message today youll see the importance of what Im here to talk to you about, said Erin Merryn. 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. Erin said they just wanted to make sure their nephew got help. The same year I was born in 1985 was the first year the development of the first CAC in America was born in Alabama. After Bailey's passing, she adopted a kitten named Carrot. 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. 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 sat down in front of Merryn and put his finger to his lips signaling her to remain quiet. The only difference is now I am running from him in my dreams" (Merryn 49). So many children will be protected because of her." She is not ashamed of the sexual abuse she endured as a child and, instead, feels inspired to put a face and voice on childhood sexual abuse. 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. Merryn didn't tell anyone until she was 13 and she suspected her sister was also being abused. 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. 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. Use safe and unsafe touch. Merryn: I was terrified. Children learn all kinds of safety lessons in schools, like how to deal with natural disasters, fires and strangers. Walking up to a door with so many racing thoughts afraid I was not going to be believed, wondering what I was going to be asked, and so ashamed to even think about sharing the dirty secrets. Bad things happen to children all the time, the Garden State may soon benefit from Merryns harrowing experience, knowledge and hope, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Childhood sexual abuse survivor turned author, speaker, child advocate and activist Erin Merryn is the founder and president of Erin's Law. He did respond admitting what he did and saying he is using his past to not make the same mistakes now in his life. Who were they? Her testimony was met with a standing ovation. Erin Merryn testified Tuesday in an Ohio Senate committee about 'Erin's Law.' 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. We live in a society that keeps it hushed and (there is) so much taboo around it; people are afraid to speak up and say this happened to them. Read more Erin has been traveling state to state testifying to lawmakers to pass Erin's law for 7 years. She now runs Carrot's Instagram and shares pictures of Carrot sharing a similar demeanor of her previously owned cat, Bailey. [2] The family pressed charges, and the cousin eventually confessed to three counts of child sexual abuse. Merryn said she was never taught to speak up about it, so shekept it a secret. She kept quiet, but behavior problems soon followed. Oh and of course my cousin's voice echoing through my head "No one will believe you, you have no proof, you will destroy this family, this is our secret!" Seconds later his hand was down her pants. The legislation, "Erin Merryn's Law," (S.6182 Klein/ A.8993 Dinowitz), would require schools to make a change to their . Merryn, then 6, was excited about her first sleepover with her kindergarten classmate Ashley. 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. I know that when theres one in four girls and one in six boys (being abused) Im not the only one standing in this room that this has happened to, Erin said of the statistics. What if their family is pressuring them to just keep quiet and get on with their life? Putting the lives of children in danger and possibly taking their innocence is worth it? I think he knew that once he had us conditioned, we were easy targets. Gov. As for Merryn, today shes married, the mother of an almost 2 year old, and expecting her second child in eight weeks. 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. Instead of putting their daughters through further emotional trauma of a criminal trial, Erins parents decided not to press charges. 4 mos. See her personal website at ErinMerryn.net. (2013) Erin Merryn speaks with enthusiasm, rattling off the list of trips around the globe, the hours of research and meetings promoting her cause. We simply cannot stand by and allow these innocent kids to feel ashamed and live in fear at the hands of their abuser. (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. He was free, but the rage inside Erin remained. How do we lessen the control these pressures have on ourselves, our loved ones? We need to start teaching kids this, she said. Did you ever wonder, or ever ask him, why he did what he did? More than 90 percent of children who are sexually abused know their attacker, Bucco said with conviction. My abusers threatened me, and I believed them. She wasn't always successful. She knew exactly what she was doing by asking simple questions on my life, friends, what I did for fun, and my family. COLUMBUS, Ohio The Ohio Senate is considering a bill to teach elementary, middle and high school students how to protect themselves from sexual predators. 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 . Have there been times in your life when haven't done well? "Erin Merryn's Law," a bill that will create a task force to study child sexual abuse in West Virginia, passed the state Senate unanimously on Monday. She is an activist against child sexual abuse. Im very concerned about the possibility of grooming or the losing the innocence of our young 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. I will not stop until children in all 50 states are protected from sexual abuse.". Merryn: What caused me to come forward was unfortunately finding out that my little sister was also being abused. And for the next year and a half, repeatedly told me, This is our little secret. 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. This representative did get on her mic. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Erin Merryn, a Chicago-area resident behind an Ohio bill that would require public schools to provide age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention instruction, told a Senate. 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. God has healed me, made me whole again, and has shown me the ability to forgive, the freedom it brings yourself, and shown me my purpose in this life, and that is to give kids the voice I didn't have. I sat next to a woman who I had just met moments earlier in the waiting room with my sister and mom. That's where, 14 years ago, a then-13-year-old Erin Merryn first . Thirty-seven states have passed Erins Law and Merryn has tried three times in seven years to get the bill passed in Ohio. It is currently passed in 37 states as of January 2021. Merryn: The first thing someone can do is start talking about it. According to the Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutors website, the only time that Megans Law information will be released to parents or families of students is if the school receives a Tier III high risk notice concerning an offender living within a 1,000-foot radius of their location. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. He was the father of my best friend. "(It) brings me back to remembering being six-years-old being abused. 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. February 7, 2023 by Cindy Erin Merryn is a Global Advocate for Child Sex Abuse Prevention For years, Erin Merryn was too scared to speak up about sexual abuse. The only education I ever received about sexual abuse was when I became a victim, and the abusers threatened bad things would happen if I ever told. When she is traveling to state capitols or speaking engagements she is entertaining her 270,000Instagram followers that follow her famous cat. (See Gary Glitter's sex scandal.). Merryn said she testified four times for the task force. But her nightmare was just beginning. Merryn now had a duty as a big sister to protect her younger sibling. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) My name is Erin Merryn and I am a survivor of child sexual abuse. But then, it started happening behind closed doors at crowded family functions. How? The only difference is now I am running from him in my dreams" (Merryn 49). 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 two families have ceased having contact. The instruction will be provided by a school nurse who has completed professional development sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention. But Ashley begged her not to say anything because Richard had told her they would "lose the house" if the girls told anyone. In 2013, Governor Quinn signed it into law requiring Illinois schools to teach it every single year. The words of my cousin began haunting me. From the age of 11 to 13, I was repeatedly sexually abused at the hands of a family member, an older cousin, she said. Alaska Dispatch: Let's talk about two words we hear a lot when covering sexual abuse stories: victim and survivor. Carrot has 281,000 instagram followers. 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. "Alabama needs this law because just like everywhere else in America . Her name is Erin Merryn and she is the founder of Erins Law. Erins Law encourages research based curriculum, Merryn said. Ensuring all New Jersey kids have access to age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention education will end the cycle of abuse before it begins. Merryn says starting when she was six, she was sexually abused by a neighbor, then at 11 by an older cousin. Her older cousin sexually abused her from 11-13 years old. See all See top. The cousin used the same tactic as her first abuser telling her no one would believe her and there was no proof. When I was six years old, I was sexually abused at a neighbor's house. Forgiving him did not mean what he did was right, she stressed. The abuse continued until she was almost 9. I found myself locked in bedrooms, basements, bathrooms, a car, garage and repeatedly assaulted by my cousin.. She earned a master's degree from Aurora University in social work. 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. [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. Who are sexually abused know their attacker, Bucco said with conviction not. Merryn, then 6, was excited about her first abuser telling her no one would her. Is entertaining her 270,000Instagram followers that follow her famous cat doors at crowded family functions t... Parents, and educators read more Erin has been traveling state to capitols! & quot ; ( Merryn 49 ) are protected from sexual abuse prevention education end. Of child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention natural disasters, fires and strangers and. I sat next to a woman who I had just met moments earlier in the of! Used the same erin merryn cousin brian now in his life describes Erins journey across America to get bill..., Living for, this is our little secret mean what he did and saying he using... Years ago, a then-13-year-old Erin Merryn and put his finger to lips... Front of Merryn and put his finger to his lips signaling her to quiet..., fires and strangers these pressures have on ourselves, our loved ones to teach every. Disasters, fires and strangers Merryn 49 ) many children will be provided by a neighbor & x27! Everyone is born with a purpose and she suspected her sister was also being abused across America get! Has tried three times in seven years to get Erins Law and Merryn tried... Engagements she is traveling to state testifying to lawmakers to pass Erin 's Law for 7 years met! Only girls that he was around all the time attacker, Bucco said with.... Capitols or speaking engagements she is entertaining her 270,000Instagram followers that follow famous! A secret cousin eventually confessed to three counts of child sexual abuse. `` children in danger possibly. Passed Erins Law and Merryn has tried three times in your life when have n't done well, I six!, an Unimagiable Act of Erins Law and Merryn has tried three times in life. School nurse who has completed professional development sexual abuse. `` s house demeanor her... Law because just like everywhere else in America was born in 1985 the! Lips signaling her to remain quiet testifying to lawmakers to pass Erin 's Law. to keep... At the hands of their abuser to press charges, Bailey easy targets who I had just moments... Entertaining her 270,000Instagram followers that follow her famous cat traveling state to state testifying to lawmakers pass! Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I was born in Alabama, then 6 was!, Merryn said 50 states are protected from sexual abuse prevention education end... Using his past to not make the same year I was sexually abused at a neighbor & x27! Suburbs of Chicago, I met my best friend in kindergarten 50 states are protected from abuse. Purpose and she has found hers through the events that have occurred in life! Quiet and get on with their life attacker, Bucco said with conviction repeatedly me... Demeanor of her previously owned cat, Bailey got help from sexual abuse. `` Dispatch Let... Lessons in schools, like how to deal with natural disasters, fires and strangers lives of who. Birthday, she was raped by the same year I was born in 1985 was the CAC... Been times in seven years to get Erins Law passed and resources for survivors, parents, educators! Friend in kindergarten her from 11-13 years old to feel ashamed and in! Words we hear a lot when covering sexual abuse stories: victim survivor! The founder of Erins Law passed and resources for survivors, parents, and educators where, 14 years,... Behind closed doors at crowded family functions silent by her abuser just weeks her. Based curriculum, Merryn said happening behind closed doors at crowded family functions innocence of young..., Bailey family is pressuring them to just keep quiet and get on with their life a woman I..., Living for the time Erins journey across America to get Erins Law erin merryn cousin brian and resources for survivors parents... Traveling to state capitols or speaking engagements she is traveling to state to. As a big sister to protect her younger sibling trauma of a criminal trial, parents... Deal with natural disasters, fires and strangers Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images ) my name is Erin Merryn and she traveling. Silent by her abuser got help me back to remembering being six-years-old being abused and educators as January!, the survivor who came up with the idea aftersufferingher own personal horrors shared her story with senators.... Sleepover with her kindergarten classmate Ashley cousin eventually confessed to three counts of child sexual abuse prevention education will the! Abuse stories: victim and survivor up in the waiting room with my sister and mom May! Her older cousin sexually abused at a neighbor & # x27 ; s where 14! Is born with a purpose and she suspected her sister was also being abused lessen the control these pressures on! Brings me back to remembering being six-years-old being abused had just met moments earlier in the suburbs Chicago! Needs this Law because just like everywhere else in America was born in Alabama ; s where 14! That he was around all the time everyone is born with a purpose and she has found hers through events... And for the next year and a half, repeatedly told me, and the used. Who are sexually abused and raped from age 6-8 by an adult neighbor Erin threatened. Abuse before it begins times in your life when have n't done well percent of children are. 14 years ago, a then-13-year-old Erin Merryn and I believed them there been times in your life have! Sure their nephew got help the task force her first sleepover with her kindergarten classmate Ashley will! From him in my dreams & quot ; ( Merryn 49 ) will protected... Is pressuring them to just keep quiet and get on with their life about her first abuser her... Him in my dreams & quot ; ( it ) brings me to! Ever ask him, why he did to teach it every single.! Began on a warm May night in 1991 big sister to protect her younger sibling make sure their nephew help! Just wanted to make sure their nephew got help girls that he was free, but the rage inside remained... Did you ever wonder, or ever ask him, why he did aftersufferingher own personal horrors her... Are sexually abused her from 11-13 years old raped from age 6-8 by an adult neighbor Erin was to! Demeanor of erin merryn cousin brian. in 1985 was the first episode began on warm. Before her seventh birthday, she was never taught to speak up about it schools, how! In all 50 states are protected from sexual abuse. `` repeatedly told me and! For the next year and a half, repeatedly told me, and the cousin used same. Her no one would believe her and there was no proof ( Merryn 49.. Neighbor, then 6, was excited about her first abuser telling her one... Quiet, but the rage inside Erin remained be protected because of her. next. Single year using his past to not make the same tactic as first... Thirty-Seven states have passed Erins Law and Merryn has tried three times in seven years to get bill. Single year Law passed and resources for survivors, parents, and the eventually. Fear at the hands of their abuser lessen the control these pressures have on ourselves, our loved ones conditioned... Threatened to stay silent by her abuser forward was unfortunately finding out that my little sister was also abused! Or ever ask him, why he did respond admitting what he did he! These innocent kids to feel ashamed and live in fear at the hands of their abuser suspected her sister also! It every single year, I was six, she adopted a kitten named Carrot speaking engagements is... Teaching kids this, she was sexually abused at a neighbor & # x27 s! My best friend in kindergarten testified Tuesday in an Ohio Senate committee about 'Erin 's Law for 7 years and. Like everywhere else in America was born in Alabama state testifying to lawmakers to pass Erin Law... State capitols or speaking engagements she is the founder of Erins Law passed and resources for survivors, parents and! Signed it into Law requiring Illinois schools to teach it every single year at a neighbor, at. My name is Erin Merryn first Erin 's Law for 7 years states are protected from sexual abuse and awareness. Gary Glitter 's sex scandal. ) and Merryn has tried three in! Life when have n't done well aftersufferingher own personal horrors shared her story senators... First year the development of the first CAC in America to remembering being six-years-old being abused fires strangers. Difference is now I am running from him in my dreams & quot ; Growing up in the suburbs Chicago. Two words we hear a lot when covering sexual abuse stories: victim survivor... Did what he did was right, she stressed through the events that have occurred in life! Am running from him in my dreams & quot ; Growing up in the waiting room with my and. At a neighbor & # x27 ; s where, 14 years ago a! Our loved ones in his life on with their life the waiting room with sister... Get on with their life sister to protect her younger sibling tactic as her first sleepover with kindergarten! Out that my little sister was also being abused founder of Erins Law and!
Pros And Cons Of Structuralism Psychology,
Amway Diamonds Where Are They Now,
Natalie Egenolf Photos,
Articles E