A look back at 2015 could leave you shaking your head in dismay. In January 2002 the Boston Globe published a series of articles that helped to shine a light on a issue long hidden from our view - the sexual abuse of children by people they know and trust. Since that series opened the door to this issue for the public it seems as if there are almost dialy stories of those arrested for sexually molesting innocent children in our communities. Some might think the problem is worse, but is it? Are more children at risk or did raising awareness about this issue simply bring it into the light and force us to deal with something that has been hiding in the background for centuries in the bright light of day. The facts tell us that bringing this issue into the forefront of our thinking and awareness has made a significant impact on incidents of child molestation. It is more public - not more prevalent!
What is happening today is that what was in the dark is now coming into the light and more people are willing to speak up and stop predators. I often hear people say that they long for the “old days” when there was not so much child sexual abuse. The truth is that children were not safer back then – they were just alone in dealing with the abuse. The truth is that there is solid research evidence that child sexual abuse has declined in recent years.
Research tells us that an estimated four percent (4%) of all children in the public school system will be molested by a teacher or other staff person in that school system by the time they graduate.[i] This has been happening for as long as there have been public schools but no one knew. Children were convinced that they would not be believed – so they simply kept quiet. School systems hid allegations against teachers because is the eyes of administration officials, the best teachers could not actually be harming kids in that way – and they were the ones being accused. If there was indisputable evidence of the abuse, teachers were “let go” quietly and no record of the reason was ever recorded. Therefore, they were free to go somewhere else and do the same thing, and they did.
Today children are more likely to speak up. Parents are more likely to stand up for their children. Schools find it more difficult to hide from the allegations against teachers and child protective services and law enforcement are better trained to handle the complaints. This does not mean that there is a bigger problem. It means that we are now doing something about it.
The massive education program undertaken by the United States Catholic Church is making a difference in parishes, schools, and dioceses. The presentation of programs such as Keeping Them Safe, and Protecting God’s Children® are raising awareness across the country and calling attention to the need for all adults to speak up and speak out on behalf of children to stop child molesters from taking away their innocence.
In 2015 problems in the United Kingdom surrounding historical abuse of young boys apparently sanctioned by MI-5 could no longer be silenced and are now under investigation by Parliament. Abuse of children in other countries where silence has been the norm is now coming to the forefront of worldwide attention. The problem of human trafficking involving children and women is a public conversation that can no longer be silenced.
Every time we encourage another adult to learn more about the way predators gain access to children you are protecting them from harm. Every time we advocate for better programs and more education in your public school systems we are creating a new, safer world for children.
[i] Shakeshaft, C., Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature; Prepared for Planning and Evaluation Service Office of the Undersecretary US Department of Education, 2004.