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EPR Archived News |
New Novel Helps Raise Awareness for Child Sexual Assault Victims
Released on: March 18, 2011, 07:47 am
Other governmental research has estimated that approximately 300,000 children are abused every year in the United States and a shocking 50% of the predators sexually assaulting small children are close friends or neighbors of the family, someone everyone trusts. Sadly, the next greatest threat comes from the child’s own family, such as an uncle, brother, or grandfather and only 10% of the abuse comes from strangers. However, accurate statistics on the prevalence of sexual abuse of children and adolescents are difficult to record because it is vastly underreported. But for a majority of the 39 million child sexual abuse survivors in the United States, keeping such a dark secret hidden for so many years can have devastating consequences. The survivors often have not dealt with the pain and trauma, which can resurface again or be triggered by significant life events. The consequences of sexual abuse can impact every aspect of a survivor's life — emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual. Recently, numerous individuals and organizations are increasing efforts to empower women and children and give those silent victims a voice. Darkness to Light is one such organization that provides programs that raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse. In addition, Colorado author Michael Link has written a powerful new novel called Inviolate, which vividly portrays the fear and humiliation experienced by victims of sexual assault and the profound impact that this devastating crime has on a victim's loved ones. The story tells of the emotional and psychological impact that a sexual assault has on Connie Woicik, an eighth grade girl who is trying to cope with the aftermath of being the victim of one of the most heinous forms of violence imaginable, and the healing that comes by way of an understanding therapist who herself suffered sexual molestation as a child. Explaining to Connie that while her physical virginity was stolen from her, she retains her spiritual virtue and she alone can choose when and to whom she will surrender her innocence, the psychologist leads the young girl to acceptance and self esteem. The novel also contains an intense parallel storyline that portrays the stark contrast between two men: a violent sexual predator who is able to hide his intense sexual urges and impulsive behaviors from even those closest to him, and a kind and gentle man who loves baseball and mentoring youth athletics, but is falsely accused of committing a sex crime against a young girl. Based in part on the experiences of women he has known, this intense work of fiction is a powerful vehicle by which the author reminds society of the unspeakable tragedy of sexual crimes against children and that fact that sexual predators are ubiquitous in American society. Inviolate is available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. To learn more about how you can help in the prevention of child sexual abuse, go to www.darkness2light.org. For more information about Inviolate, go to www.inviolate-novel.com. Contact Details: michael@www.inviolate-novel.com
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According to the American Psychological Association, the
statistics on the prevalence of child sexual abuse is shocking.
Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control has estimated
that approximately 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused
before the age of 18. 
