Why Won’t The Collegedale Public Library Director Allow A Free Seminar To Equip Parents On How To Protect Their Children From Sexual Abuse?
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-submitted by Conni Leonessa
I am a retired pediatric Registered nurse. In my career experience and subsequent research, I have learned much about the epidemic of child sexual abuse and its consequences.
Sometime in late July, early August, I went to the Collegedale Public Library and spoke to a staff member about doing a free seminar on equipping parents to protect their children from sexual exploitation.
I was given the go ahead and the seminar was scheduled for late August. However, on August 8th, I received an email from Regina Mullins, Director of the library, stating that the staff made a mistake, and that the program was being canceled because they did not get my lesson plan or references.
By late August, I had emailed Mullins the paperwork no less than three times, but I received no replies.
By the time October rolled around, with no additional movement or communication regarding the event being received back from the library, I suggested that a new time for the seminar be scheduled after the holidays, when more people would be available to attend.
The first of December, I emailed Ms. Mullins to remind her of what we had talked about and asked for some prospective dates in the New Year for the seminar. Three days later, Ms. Mullins replied by email stating, “We have decided not to host your talk.” No explanation was given.
I asked her who the “we” was who made the decision not to host the seminar and why such a decision was made. I also asked for the names and contact info for the library’s board of trustees. And again, no response.
On January 9th, 2024, the board of trustees has a meeting on the schedule and I plan to attend to try to get some answers.
As I looked at the library’s website, I found that the library hosted many events and many speakers from financial advisors to a Taylor Swift birthday party!
They offer arts and craft classes, classes on Microsoft computer use; classes for older patrons on Medicare and healthcare; legal and financial topics, etc,
They had Youth Village speakers on the topic of becoming a foster care parent. They had a class for children on how to care for their bodies through healthy eating! Why not a class for parents on protecting their precious children from sexual exploitation???
According to their website (the 2021 Annual Report), the largest patrons of the library are young families with children! Ages 26-46, the children ages 7-11.
According to the library’s stated goals, they aim to offer community classes based on community needs – to educate the community, to connect with the community by providing engaging programs.
Again, I ask, why not a class on protecting our most valuable and vulnerable resource – the children!
According to the CDC, studies vary but about 1 in 4 females and 1 in 13 males will experience child sexual molestation before their 18th birthday. (1)
Truth be told, the numbers are actually much larger when considering that approximately 88% of child sexual abuse instances are never reported. (2)
The reasons for not reporting is that the children are often blamed for the abuse, along with a sense of shame and guilt felt by the child. Molesters often threaten the children that they and their family members and even their pets would be harmed if they report the abuse. Also, some parents fear putting their child through further trauma.
The consequences of child sexual abuse can last a lifetime.
According to the CDC, long-term consequences include sexually transmitted disease, physical injuries, chronic health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, cancer and others. Depression, suicide and suicide attempts, PTSD, anxiety, substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, and there is an increased risk of sexual assault for victims of child sexual abuse.
Those with a history of child sexual abuse are at a much higher risk of sexual violence. Both males and females are twice as likely to experience intimate partner violence. (1)
According to the National Children’s Alliance, almost two thirds of the work that Children Advocacy Centers involve child sexual abuse. (3)
This is preventable!
According to P.A.X.A. (Parents Against Child Sexual Abuse): “95% of child sexual abuse is preventable through education! The CDC informs us that the resources for child sexual abuse have mostly focused on treatment…little investment has been made in primary prevention of child sexual abuse before it occurs.”
While so many are up in arms about human trafficking, there are studies that show about 84% of human trafficking victims were victims of child sexual molestation. (5) (6)
As the saying goes: “As a society we are good at putting ambulances at the bottom of a cliff when we should be putting guard rails at the top of the cliff!”
If you want to learn how to protect your child from becoming a victim. Please go to: info@PAXA.online.
Resources:
1. Fast Facts: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse-Centers for Disease Control.
2. National Sexual Violence Resource Center
3. National Children’s Alliance
4. P.A.X.A. Pointers Resource Guide – info@PAXA.online
6. Raphael, J., & Feifer, K. (2017 Feb.) What we know about sex trafficking, prostitution, and sexual exploitation in the U.S. World Without Exploitation.
Talk to your representatives, and the county commissioners. See who is responsible for all the library activity. Send this info to the local newspapers. Protest!
Contact the Institute for Justice, they may take the case for free, or may be send a letter reminding them that you have 1st amendment rights to do this. Tell you county commissioner that the county may be paying big bucks if there is a law suit