MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It happens more often than you think.
“Nationally, 1 in 10 children are estimated to be sexually abused by age 18,” said Virginia Stallworth, Executive Director of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center.
The effects can last a lifetime.
Amerah Bridges is 78, but still vividly remembers being sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend starting when she was just 11.
“I had to protect myself by putting chairs under my door knob of my bedroom to keep him from coming in if I was asleep,” she said.
Those who knew turned their heads.
“It was a hard time because my mother knew about it and she did nothing. She believed the perpetrator,” said Bridges.
Now what was done in darkness is coming to light.
There is a push to get people to speak up about the crimes victimizing children.
Shelby County employees are the latest group of adults being trained to pick up on signs of child sexual abuse.
The Memphis Child Advocacy Center is taking the ‘Stewards of Children’ training all over Shelby County trying to reach 35,000 adults by 2019, teaching them 5 steps.
- Learn the facts
- Minimize the opportunity for sexual abuse
“Eighty-percent of child sexual abuse happens in 1 adult-1 child scenarios. So if we can eliminate or at least reduce 1-on-1 scenarios, make them observable or interruptible, we have automatically increased safety,” said Stallworth.
3. Talk about it – tell kids about boundaries.
4. Learn the signs – notice when kids are clingy or acting out.
5. Be responsible – report the abuse.
“If you choose not to make that report, you can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, serve a minimum of 11 months, 29 days and fined $2,500,” said one of the trainers at the ‘Stewards of Children’ session.
As a dental hygienist in schools, Ann Morris has seen signs in children.
This training opened her eyes further.
“If people are more aware of what the signs and symptoms of abuse are, they can get on top of it, help the child and stop the behavior,” said Morris.
It’s hoped what’s learned here will spread and more children will be protected.
“A lot of the times the offenders are protected because you don’t talk about that. Don’t talk about what’s going on in the house,” said Pam Lindsey, who also went through the training. “The point is to report. Get the ball rolling. Let the people who have expertise in how to do this, handle these situations so they can get the children the help they need.”
Bridges now shares her own story to help others and she hopes more adults will open their eyes.
“These things are happening in our community folks, wake up,” she said. “We need to get the training to be able to recognize it. ”
The Memphis Child Advocacy Center is willing to take the training to any group.
It also offers sessions at its office on Poplar Avenue.
For more information, call 901-888-4363.
