Friends...
I know it has been some time since I last poured my heart out. Lately, I must admit that it has been difficult to write and travel at the same time. But, I woke up this morning with plenty to say. So, I invite you on this brief journey.
Over the course of the past month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I engaged in dialogue about all of the violence that I have experienced. Many people do not know, but that is pretty hard. Reliving, recanting and sharing my experience of watching my mother and brother die is, to say the least, moving for me inside. For a good portion of the past 25 years, I tried to ignore the fact that it happened. It really wasn't until I had to speak about this incident publicly that I started to truly break the cycle of violence and poverty in my own life. It made me totally accountable to myself and society. For most of my life I perpetuated the cycle of violence and poverty by being ignorant. I wasn't conscious of a lot of the harmful things I was doing. These things hurt me along the way and a lot has to be reversed so that recovery can take place and restoration can return what fairness, dignity and respect was lost. These are the things that victims go through. Today, I am a survivor, but does it hurt? Sure. Sometimes, in my head, I revisit the room where they were killed. It was a horrible sight.
When I explain it to people, I see that they are very jolted by the description of what happened in that room. I am surprised sometimes as to what kind of courage it takes to talk about it. Because, sometimes I feel it a bit deeper as I talk about it. The feelings start to rush back and I think about a ten year old suffering at the hands of a killer and a cycle that rips and guts out the victims. Let me tell you what that meant for me.
That day, I lost everything, I thought. My life as I knew it ended. Although I begged and pleaded for my life to this man who ended up confusing me terribly by being merciful, I was ripped apart. One of my mentees described that after seeing his mother dead, he was in a zone, a cloud, not here on earth. I guess that's how I felt. I felt like my world had collapsed. It's so strange. As I watched my mother get shot, I thought, I am going to die. I have to prepare myself for this. Maybe it will be quick, I thought. After my mother was shot, her body was limp and non-responsive. The pure and strong leader that used to give me motherly beatings, correct me when I was wrong, yell at me for not doing chores, and the one that I dreamed about taking care of when she got old, just fell right before me and was silent. How was I supposed to go on? Why would I even want to go on? The little kid in me only had less than a minute to answer those questions before the gun was at my head.
I know it's hard to actualize. I know it's hard to fathom. For me, it is difficult to imagine this happening to someone and for years I put it on a shelf. In addition to being destroyed that day by my brother and mother's death, I continued to destroy myself. As a ten, eleven and twelve year old I felt pretty bad, but I can say that I was quite resilient. I masked my anger, my sadness, my depression, my hate, my loss, my grief, my feelings and everything that bothered me. No one really knew what was boiling inside of me. I realize with each passing day how devastating an effect this had on me growing up. I realized how much I ignored it. Today, the devastation has manifested itself in my strained relationships with old friends, the way I conduct business, the way I tie my shoes (interesting, have to explain), the way I go to sleep at night and many other ways. What do I mean? These things were all being developed by my mother. She was teaching me and grooming me. That day, it just completely ended. No one would ever touch me the way she touched me again. It's like, the one person who wasn't afraid to hug you and did not judge you based on the way you looked, smelled, acted, etc. She just loved me unconditionally. That's what I felt. Looking back, I realize how devastating it has been. I am still trying to fully restore.
When I travel around the country and to different parts of the world to discuss this experience I often wonder if people are really listening and capturing the true devastation of an experience like the one that I experienced? I know that when I hear these stories and look at the news, my heart drops because I know how real it is. When a soldier dies, I get this feeling inside of me that anguishes for their families. When a child loses a loved one, I know how that feels. It is a feeling that no one wants to feel, but it is very distinct. You can't miss it. It sneaks up on you sometimes and it also takes over and doesn't allow you to feel anything else. It's something that you have to be patient with. In due time, it will subside and you will find yourself moving along. But, for some, and this is rare, do not get to move along. They either are lost in a world of their own. Some turn to drugs and alcohol and some simply give up and kill themselves. These things are all things that happen when there is this kind of devastation. And, I wonder if people really hear it and grasp it. It's hard to measure when the audience does not give you feedback or evaluations. Sometimes I am lucky though. I get opportunities to hear others' stories. That's when I know I had a chance to help restore a life.
So, this month, I have dedicated at least a week to continue to write my book. I will leave away to Boston, MA to finish what I started years ago. When I was fifteen or sixteen, I started writing my book in the dining room of my grandmother's house. I knew this was something that she could not possibly read when I started it, but I knew there would be a day when I could write about these things without fear that it was too much for her. She often exclaimed that she did not want me to talk about it in public. She did not want to be surprised on the news or anywhere else as it related to the death of her daughter. But, now is the time. 25 years later and I feel a sense of absolute relief. I have the support of my family, friends and the public to once again, put pen to paper or at least finger to key to complete this project. I will not say that it is long overdue, but I will say that it is right on time and waiting any longer is unacceptable.
This book is about getting my story out of me. It has held me back for so long and I need to air what has been going on inside of me. It will be an honor for others to read it and support it once it is written, but writing it will finally help me come to grips with everything that has transpired. I warn you, I am not sparing graphics. I want to finally tell what happened in its entirety. I want to disclose the deepest and darkest secrets that still haunt me today. They are tragic, they have been life-changing. For years, I have held on to abuse, pain, hurt, misery and isolation because I thought that many would not care about my experience or story. So, it is time to write. It is time to put these stories down and be honest about what has held me back through the years and what has propelled me forward.
I also find that this book will be a tool for so many out there who were ignorant like me. Of course, I still do not know everything, but I want to learn. I am open to the possibilities. There are some of our fellow human beings who are not in that position. I met them. I talked to them. I interact with them sometimes daily. They are ignorant of inspiration, motivation, determination -- hope. They are trying to find it everywhere and they find themselves fighting a losing battle. Well, I want to leave them with a gift. This book will explain my escape or should I say, release, from near death. It will explain how I almost was killed to how I wanted to kill myself to actually simply being self-destructive. It will journey tthrough my world of narcissism and guilt. You will journey to some places with me that will have you asking whether or not you should travel with me. It is going to be hard. It is hard to write. Just recently, about a month or so ago, I was rereading the first chapter and I had to stop. I put the book down and just caught the tears streaming down my face with the palms of my hands. I had to find anything that would catch the downpour of everything that summed me up that day. I thought about me being ten and having to watch my own mother and brother get shot in their faces. It was demeaning. It was demoralizing. And for one moment, I collapsed. It was simply devastating once again.
Hey, things may change, but we are human. We have emotions. I will never forget this. The killer made sure of that. I know he had intentions on killing me. But, in a human's soul when he or she is ruthless, is an area with compassion. I had to learn this. I had to find that compassion in me. After it happened, I was angry. I was humiliated. I was embarrassed. I lied about it in school. I did not want people to know that I lost my mom and brother that way. I saw parents picking their children up from school. I saw how loving mothers were and I could not express how much I wanted to feel that love too. It didn't help that I was totally sensitive. I could cry on the drop of a dime when my mother was alive. She could yell at me and I would melt. So, just imagine her getting killed in front of me. I not only cried for years, but today, I still cry. I still feel that pain, but I have tools now that help me to cope. I have tools that help me to get through these tough times. Part of the coping mechanism is to be productive. For instance, I got up and started to write this blog. That helped me this morning because I felt a little sad this morning. I felt that void that is there for my moms. I miss her.
I was asked by a student in Fitchburg High School in Fitchburg, MA, just outside of Boston, "Would you go back and change it if you had a chance?" I didn't want to say to the teen, "Yes." because I have accepted their deaths. I have come to terms with their deaths. I am proud to be coping, finally. I am happy standing up for myself now. I am happy about making a difference in someone else's life. I did not have any idea how much people were hurting. The hurt and pain from these tragedies are immense. Of course I would give anything to just touch my mom again. But, I know that is wishful thinking and I have to put it in perspective and move forward to live as if she was still here. I have to do the things that she pushed me to do. However, my answer was definitely YES as a lost teen and younger adult. That was when I lived in the past. I tried to stay in my childhood. I did't want to grow up. Now, I am excited about the next day. Things have changed. But, what about the other abuse? It was compiled. It was compounding.
Being violently raped at six taught me a huge lesson and many other memorable ones. The huge lesson was that if something happens to you and you feel uncomfortable and oppressed, say something to somebody and quick. I held my rape in until I was fourteen, but by then, I had already exploded. But, at thirteen, I ended up with a black eye and in a mental institution for my behaviour. I finally lost control and ended up fighting my great aunt because she hit me in my face for cursing. Luckily, I saw the Color Purple, the movie and I watched as Oprah's character stood up for herself. I hadn't stood up for myself. I had been opressed since my mother died. That's what I felt like. My childhood was riddled with abuse. It was so ingrained in me. I was so scared growing up. But, no one ever knew. However, as I mentioned, at fourteen I finally broke the silence. My grandmother was devastated. She could not hear the news. To me, I felt good dropping the bomb shell. I am so glad I did. It was a relief. I would go on to tell about the other sexual abuse too. That is being saved for the book though. You would be amazed and disgusted all at the same time. I am eager to tell you. Most importantly, I am eager to tell you what I did to continually destroy myself and then tell you how I turned things around.
I want to leave you with a few words of experience. Some people can be so heinous in their actions. I know, because I was once one of those people. I was so upset and angry with the man who killed my mother and brother that I wanted people like him to die or either rot in prison. I often thought about killing. I often thought of killing myself. I was able to work these things out in therapy. When the doctors told me that if I was a threat to myself or others they would keep me longer in the hospital. So, I had to work on my attitude. We have to break this cycle of violence by impressing upon each other the importance of peace and the gift of love. People have become hardened because things have been hard. Look at the conditions of this country. Look at how exploited all of our stories are and then the folks that exploit them hardly use the story to help others. This does not pertain to everyone, but there are those folks who will use you for their gain. I have to be careful everyday not to do this, but when there is a cycle of violence and poverty that permeates your culture and your training, it is difficult. So, simply telling your story by writing it out for yourself is the key. That's when you can own up to the truth about what holds you back, what moves you forward.
This is probably my longest post, but I felt the need to get these things out. I am not perfect, will never be and do not plan on being. I make mistakes today, have made them yesterday and will make them tomorrow. I look forward to some mistakes because they teach me good lessons on how not to repeat them. My heart was heavy this morning and now, I feel much better.
Thanks to my eleven followers. I remember when I had just one follower. Thanks for joining.
Let's work on restoration for those who have difficulty in restoring their own lives. Start with you. I will start with me.
Til next time...
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Kellibrew Addresses Mississippi Teens
Domestic violence survivors to address rural Mississippi teens
October 26, 2009 Lexington, Mississippi
Posted by:HelpMeetLLC1
CNN producer note
iReport —
ARISE, take charge and prevent domestic violence!
LEXINGTON, Miss. -- According to a Bureau of Justice Special Report: “Intimate Partner Violence,” 40 percent of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
The ARISE (Assistance for Rural, Intervention, Strategies and Empowerment) Project is working hard to prevent such occurrences. In observance of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, ARISE will present a Domestic Violence/Abuse Prevention Forum, Tonight, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m., in the Community Students Learning Center building, 333 Yazoo Street, Lexington, Miss.
The program will feature William C. Kellibrew IV of the William Kellibrew Foundation, Washington, D.C., and Mississippi Author and Evangelist Voncele Savage of Canton, Miss. Although from different areas of the nation, both Kellibrew and Savage share a common bond: they survived the horrors of being victims of domestic violence and abuse!
Featured on national television, Kellibrew shared the horrific experience of seeing his mother fatally shot in the face and his 12-year-old brother shot in the head by his mother's ex-boyfriend. He was only 10 at the time, living in a poor, crime-ridden area near Washington, D.C.
A survivor of domestic violence, he uses his experiences to talk to teens and others throughout the country about domestic violence and to advocate for the protection of women and children. He is currently a political science student at Howard University, who plans to expand his outreach foundation. See his blog at http://www.kellibrew.blogspot.com/
A St. Louis, Mo. native, Savage is a retired educator who has a deep passion for speaking out against domestic abuse and violence. She suffered 40 plus years of domestic abuse from a husband in the ministry. Through her personal campaign, she now testifies how God has broken her free from such bondage. She uses God’s word and her deliverance -- via writing and speaking -- to let others know that there is a way out. Her latest publication, “Looking thru the Fence: Diamonds in the Rough,” (ISBN: 978-0-9795628-1-5) is a spiritual guide, with highlights of the abuse she and her children suffered. Her other book is “A Letter to My Sisters: The way Out,” (ISBN: 978-0-9795628-0-8). Both will be available at the forum, or one may log on to http://www.savagehouse.net/
“We could not have asked for two better presenters to come and talk with our ARISE participants,” said ARISE Prevention Coordinator Lula Friar. “When we asked Mr. Kellibrew, he did not hesitate to fit us into is schedule. Evangelist Savage came highly recommended.
ARISE is all about prevention. We don’t want our young people to get tangled in a web of domestic violence and abuse.”A program of the Community Students Learning Center (CSLC), a 501 (c) 3 organization, ARISE implements middle school and high school violence prevention programs that - explore relationships, gender roles, coercion and control – help young men and women to have more responsible, healthy relationships in middle school, high school, college and into adulthood. This project is supported under 42 U.S.C. 13971 (OVW- Rural) Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.
CSLC Executive Director Beulah Greer said she hopes this forum opens the eyes of not only the youth but also adults as well, about how destructive domestic violence and abuse can become. “We want to increase awareness and seriously raise the conscientiousness of people to not let this monster literally destroy the family,” she said. “We hope the ARISE forum encourages other organizations, including churches, to put on seminars, forums and workshops to help educate us all on how to prevent domestic violence and abuse.”
For more information on tonight’s Domestic Violence/Abuse Prevention Forum and for more information on ARISE, contact Friar or Greer at (662) 834-0905.
To contact the featured presenters for future speaking engagements, call the William Kellibrew Foundation at (202) 271.7409 for William C. Kellibrew IV, and for Evangelist Voncele Savage, call “Help Meet,” LLC at (601) 613-0869 or fax (601) 924-0396.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, please get help immediately! Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233); TDD - 1-800-787-3224.
October 26, 2009 Lexington, Mississippi
Posted by:HelpMeetLLC1
CNN producer note
iReport —
ARISE, take charge and prevent domestic violence!
LEXINGTON, Miss. -- According to a Bureau of Justice Special Report: “Intimate Partner Violence,” 40 percent of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
The ARISE (Assistance for Rural, Intervention, Strategies and Empowerment) Project is working hard to prevent such occurrences. In observance of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, ARISE will present a Domestic Violence/Abuse Prevention Forum, Tonight, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m., in the Community Students Learning Center building, 333 Yazoo Street, Lexington, Miss.
The program will feature William C. Kellibrew IV of the William Kellibrew Foundation, Washington, D.C., and Mississippi Author and Evangelist Voncele Savage of Canton, Miss. Although from different areas of the nation, both Kellibrew and Savage share a common bond: they survived the horrors of being victims of domestic violence and abuse!
Featured on national television, Kellibrew shared the horrific experience of seeing his mother fatally shot in the face and his 12-year-old brother shot in the head by his mother's ex-boyfriend. He was only 10 at the time, living in a poor, crime-ridden area near Washington, D.C.
A survivor of domestic violence, he uses his experiences to talk to teens and others throughout the country about domestic violence and to advocate for the protection of women and children. He is currently a political science student at Howard University, who plans to expand his outreach foundation. See his blog at http://www.kellibrew.blogspot.com/
A St. Louis, Mo. native, Savage is a retired educator who has a deep passion for speaking out against domestic abuse and violence. She suffered 40 plus years of domestic abuse from a husband in the ministry. Through her personal campaign, she now testifies how God has broken her free from such bondage. She uses God’s word and her deliverance -- via writing and speaking -- to let others know that there is a way out. Her latest publication, “Looking thru the Fence: Diamonds in the Rough,” (ISBN: 978-0-9795628-1-5) is a spiritual guide, with highlights of the abuse she and her children suffered. Her other book is “A Letter to My Sisters: The way Out,” (ISBN: 978-0-9795628-0-8). Both will be available at the forum, or one may log on to http://www.savagehouse.net/
“We could not have asked for two better presenters to come and talk with our ARISE participants,” said ARISE Prevention Coordinator Lula Friar. “When we asked Mr. Kellibrew, he did not hesitate to fit us into is schedule. Evangelist Savage came highly recommended.
ARISE is all about prevention. We don’t want our young people to get tangled in a web of domestic violence and abuse.”A program of the Community Students Learning Center (CSLC), a 501 (c) 3 organization, ARISE implements middle school and high school violence prevention programs that - explore relationships, gender roles, coercion and control – help young men and women to have more responsible, healthy relationships in middle school, high school, college and into adulthood. This project is supported under 42 U.S.C. 13971 (OVW- Rural) Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.
CSLC Executive Director Beulah Greer said she hopes this forum opens the eyes of not only the youth but also adults as well, about how destructive domestic violence and abuse can become. “We want to increase awareness and seriously raise the conscientiousness of people to not let this monster literally destroy the family,” she said. “We hope the ARISE forum encourages other organizations, including churches, to put on seminars, forums and workshops to help educate us all on how to prevent domestic violence and abuse.”
For more information on tonight’s Domestic Violence/Abuse Prevention Forum and for more information on ARISE, contact Friar or Greer at (662) 834-0905.
To contact the featured presenters for future speaking engagements, call the William Kellibrew Foundation at (202) 271.7409 for William C. Kellibrew IV, and for Evangelist Voncele Savage, call “Help Meet,” LLC at (601) 613-0869 or fax (601) 924-0396.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, please get help immediately! Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233); TDD - 1-800-787-3224.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Letter to Fitchburg High School Students in Fitchburg, Massachussettes
Friends...
I spoke at a high school two days ago and it changed my life forever. It was my first time speaking at a high school and I must admit I was very nervous. Speaking on domestic violence and my mother and brother's deaths in particular can be difficult, but I do it because hopefully it will inspire a student whose life either hangs on a life-line to hope or perhaps they need a boost of determination.
October 16, 2009
Dear Fitchburg Juniors and Seniors,
I read all 431 of your index cards. I must admit that while I was in tears, I was also full of joy. I was truly inspired by each card that you gave to me. It showed that you wanted to get rid of so much pain, sorrow, problems, issues, heartache and despair. I am glad that on that special day you decided to make a positive turn in your life. You did not have to write anything down, but you did. Today, I am glad to share your pain, your hopes and your dreams.
I will take these stories with me to Mississippi at the end of this month. As I told you, your stories will help me to prepare for the students in Mississippi who are facing similar problems you are facing. With your help, I will be able to help students help themselves by using their determination and hope to build upon their dreams. Thank you so much.
Some of you are going through the toughest times of your lives. You know that I am certainly with you. I have had those dark days of despair and absolute loss of hope. It is a life-long process and I am still going through the challenges of life. However, there is a huge difference now. I know how to channel my negative energy into positive energy. I surround myself with friends who care and will not lead me down the wrong path. I know that if I just hang on my hopes and dreams will be answered. As I told you, one of you, if not all of you will have your day in the spotlight. Folks will say, “That person went to Fitchburg High School, once counted out, but now they are successful.”
I encourage each one of you to reach out to a teacher, guidance counselor, coach, your principal and assistant principal. Find somebody you trust. They are there to lead you and guide you along the path of success. If you are having difficulty in school it is always best to let someone else know.
Remember, you are the captain of your future. You define who you are. You determine where you will be 5, 10 or 20 years from now. Think about your future and where you would like to be. You can do anything. I believe that “success is living it”. Whatever you want to be in the future, you have to practice that right now.
Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” That means that you have to start with you if there is going to be change. Once that happens, you will see the world change right before your eyes.
I really enjoyed my time with you at Fitchburg and I promise that I will never forget you. You changed my life. I tell everyone about you, the great questions you asked and the amazing stories you gave me.
If you wish to follow my BlogSpot, you may find me at www.kellibrew.blogspot.com. I try to blog weekly. I wish you all success and joy as you travel the road of life.
Sincerely,
William Kellibrew IV
I spoke at a high school two days ago and it changed my life forever. It was my first time speaking at a high school and I must admit I was very nervous. Speaking on domestic violence and my mother and brother's deaths in particular can be difficult, but I do it because hopefully it will inspire a student whose life either hangs on a life-line to hope or perhaps they need a boost of determination.
October 16, 2009
Dear Fitchburg Juniors and Seniors,
I read all 431 of your index cards. I must admit that while I was in tears, I was also full of joy. I was truly inspired by each card that you gave to me. It showed that you wanted to get rid of so much pain, sorrow, problems, issues, heartache and despair. I am glad that on that special day you decided to make a positive turn in your life. You did not have to write anything down, but you did. Today, I am glad to share your pain, your hopes and your dreams.
I will take these stories with me to Mississippi at the end of this month. As I told you, your stories will help me to prepare for the students in Mississippi who are facing similar problems you are facing. With your help, I will be able to help students help themselves by using their determination and hope to build upon their dreams. Thank you so much.
Some of you are going through the toughest times of your lives. You know that I am certainly with you. I have had those dark days of despair and absolute loss of hope. It is a life-long process and I am still going through the challenges of life. However, there is a huge difference now. I know how to channel my negative energy into positive energy. I surround myself with friends who care and will not lead me down the wrong path. I know that if I just hang on my hopes and dreams will be answered. As I told you, one of you, if not all of you will have your day in the spotlight. Folks will say, “That person went to Fitchburg High School, once counted out, but now they are successful.”
I encourage each one of you to reach out to a teacher, guidance counselor, coach, your principal and assistant principal. Find somebody you trust. They are there to lead you and guide you along the path of success. If you are having difficulty in school it is always best to let someone else know.
Remember, you are the captain of your future. You define who you are. You determine where you will be 5, 10 or 20 years from now. Think about your future and where you would like to be. You can do anything. I believe that “success is living it”. Whatever you want to be in the future, you have to practice that right now.
Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” That means that you have to start with you if there is going to be change. Once that happens, you will see the world change right before your eyes.
I really enjoyed my time with you at Fitchburg and I promise that I will never forget you. You changed my life. I tell everyone about you, the great questions you asked and the amazing stories you gave me.
If you wish to follow my BlogSpot, you may find me at www.kellibrew.blogspot.com. I try to blog weekly. I wish you all success and joy as you travel the road of life.
Sincerely,
William Kellibrew IV
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Peace Prize Awakens a President - A Recommitment to Peace
Friends...
I haven't put the president's speeches on this blog before, but this one is special. President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize today and I am elated that he won. I like his attitude and I think that he is doing everything he can to protect our freedom and at the same time ensure that peace is prevalent across the world. Peace is special to me. It is my passion and hope for the world. Enjoy the president's speech.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release October 9, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
ON WINNING THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Rose Garden
11:16 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Well, this is not how I expected to wake up this morning. After I received the news, Malia walked in and said, "Daddy, you won the Nobel Peace Prize, and it is Bo's birthday!" And then Sasha added, "Plus, we have a three-day weekend coming up." So it's good to have kids to keep things in perspective.
I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.
To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.
But I also know that this prize reflects the kind of world that those men and women, and all Americans, want to build -- a world that gives life to the promise of our founding documents. And I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action -- a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.
These challenges can't be met by any one leader or any one nation. And that's why my administration has worked to establish a new era of engagement in which all nations must take responsibility for the world we seek. We cannot tolerate a world in which nuclear weapons spread to more nations and in which the terror of a nuclear holocaust endangers more people. And that's why we've begun to take concrete steps to pursue a world without nuclear weapons, because all nations have the right to pursue peaceful nuclear power, but all nations have the responsibility to demonstrate their peaceful intentions.
We cannot accept the growing threat posed by climate change, which could forever damage the world that we pass on to our children -- sowing conflict and famine; destroying coastlines and emptying cities. And that's why all nations must now accept their share of responsibility for transforming the way that we use energy.
We can't allow the differences between peoples to define the way that we see one another, and that's why we must pursue a new beginning among people of different faiths and races and religions; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect.
And we must all do our part to resolve those conflicts that have caused so much pain and hardship over so many years, and that effort must include an unwavering commitment that finally realizes that the rights of all Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security in nations of their own.
We can't accept a world in which more people are denied opportunity and dignity that all people yearn for -- the ability to get an education and make a decent living; the security that you won't have to live in fear of disease or violence without hope for the future.
And even as we strive to seek a world in which conflicts are resolved peacefully and prosperity is widely shared, we have to confront the world as we know it today. I am the Commander-in-Chief of a country that's responsible for ending a war and working in another theater to confront a ruthless adversary that directly threatens the American people and our allies. I'm also aware that we are dealing with the impact of a global economic crisis that has left millions of Americans looking for work. These are concerns that I confront every day on behalf of the American people.
Some of the work confronting us will not be completed during my presidency. Some, like the elimination of nuclear weapons, may not be completed in my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone. This award is not simply about the efforts of my administration -- it's about the courageous efforts of people around the world.
And that's why this award must be shared with everyone who strives for justice and dignity -- for the young woman who marches silently in the streets on behalf of her right to be heard even in the face of beatings and bullets; for the leader imprisoned in her own home because she refuses to abandon her commitment to democracy; for the soldier who sacrificed through tour after tour of duty on behalf of someone half a world away; and for all those men and women across the world who sacrifice their safety and their freedom and sometime their lives for the cause of peace.
That has always been the cause of America. That's why the world has always looked to America. And that's why I believe America will continue to lead.
Thank you very much.
END 11:22 A.M. EDT
I haven't put the president's speeches on this blog before, but this one is special. President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize today and I am elated that he won. I like his attitude and I think that he is doing everything he can to protect our freedom and at the same time ensure that peace is prevalent across the world. Peace is special to me. It is my passion and hope for the world. Enjoy the president's speech.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release October 9, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
ON WINNING THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Rose Garden
11:16 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Well, this is not how I expected to wake up this morning. After I received the news, Malia walked in and said, "Daddy, you won the Nobel Peace Prize, and it is Bo's birthday!" And then Sasha added, "Plus, we have a three-day weekend coming up." So it's good to have kids to keep things in perspective.
I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.
To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.
But I also know that this prize reflects the kind of world that those men and women, and all Americans, want to build -- a world that gives life to the promise of our founding documents. And I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action -- a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.
These challenges can't be met by any one leader or any one nation. And that's why my administration has worked to establish a new era of engagement in which all nations must take responsibility for the world we seek. We cannot tolerate a world in which nuclear weapons spread to more nations and in which the terror of a nuclear holocaust endangers more people. And that's why we've begun to take concrete steps to pursue a world without nuclear weapons, because all nations have the right to pursue peaceful nuclear power, but all nations have the responsibility to demonstrate their peaceful intentions.
We cannot accept the growing threat posed by climate change, which could forever damage the world that we pass on to our children -- sowing conflict and famine; destroying coastlines and emptying cities. And that's why all nations must now accept their share of responsibility for transforming the way that we use energy.
We can't allow the differences between peoples to define the way that we see one another, and that's why we must pursue a new beginning among people of different faiths and races and religions; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect.
And we must all do our part to resolve those conflicts that have caused so much pain and hardship over so many years, and that effort must include an unwavering commitment that finally realizes that the rights of all Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security in nations of their own.
We can't accept a world in which more people are denied opportunity and dignity that all people yearn for -- the ability to get an education and make a decent living; the security that you won't have to live in fear of disease or violence without hope for the future.
And even as we strive to seek a world in which conflicts are resolved peacefully and prosperity is widely shared, we have to confront the world as we know it today. I am the Commander-in-Chief of a country that's responsible for ending a war and working in another theater to confront a ruthless adversary that directly threatens the American people and our allies. I'm also aware that we are dealing with the impact of a global economic crisis that has left millions of Americans looking for work. These are concerns that I confront every day on behalf of the American people.
Some of the work confronting us will not be completed during my presidency. Some, like the elimination of nuclear weapons, may not be completed in my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone. This award is not simply about the efforts of my administration -- it's about the courageous efforts of people around the world.
And that's why this award must be shared with everyone who strives for justice and dignity -- for the young woman who marches silently in the streets on behalf of her right to be heard even in the face of beatings and bullets; for the leader imprisoned in her own home because she refuses to abandon her commitment to democracy; for the soldier who sacrificed through tour after tour of duty on behalf of someone half a world away; and for all those men and women across the world who sacrifice their safety and their freedom and sometime their lives for the cause of peace.
That has always been the cause of America. That's why the world has always looked to America. And that's why I believe America will continue to lead.
Thank you very much.
END 11:22 A.M. EDT
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Edwards' Resolution Honoring the Lives of Homicide Victims Passes the House
Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards’
Resolution Honoring the Lives of Homicide Victims Passes in the House of Representatives
09/30/09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2009
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), and cosponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims, which was commemorated on September 25, 2009. In recognizing all homicide victims and their families, Rep. Edwards wanted to bring particular attention to the unacceptable number of victims of intimate partner violence.
“We are witnessing an epidemic of homicide in this country and it must be addressed,” said Rep. Edwards. “The goals of this resolution are to honor the lives of all homicide victims, including those who died as a result of intimate partner violence. I thank my colleague and dear friend, Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), to make this a bipartisan resolution, and hope that it will raise awareness about how serious and widespread the issues of homicide and domestic violence are in America.”
At least forty-eight Maryland women and children lost their lives as a result of intimate partner homicide in one year from July, 2007 to June, 2008. Nationally, three women per day are murdered by their former or current husbands and partners, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 1976 to 2005, approximately 64.8% of all female homicide victims during that time were murdered by an intimate partner. Intimate partner homicide remains the second leading cause of traumatic death for pregnant women in America.
“Congresswoman Edwards is an unwavering voice for the victims of intimate partner violence,” said Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. “We join her in honoring and remembering so many who lost their lives to a spouse or partner. We commend Congresswomen Edwards for continuing to shed light on the pervasiveness and severity of domestic violence in America.”
Brandon Wallace, CEO and Executive Director of the William Kellibrew Foundation added, “William Kellibrew stood helplessly at the age of 10 as he watched his mother and brother gunned down by her estranged boyfriend before looking down the barrel of the gun himself. Intimate partner homicide cannot continue to rip families apart. We must support the legislation being introduced by Congresswoman Edwards and Congressman Poe to prevent further loss of innocent lives.”
The following organizations endorse the resolution: Legal Momentum, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the National Partnership for Women and Families, the William Kellibrew Foundation, and the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV).
###
Resolution Honoring the Lives of Homicide Victims Passes in the House of Representatives
09/30/09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2009
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), and cosponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims, which was commemorated on September 25, 2009. In recognizing all homicide victims and their families, Rep. Edwards wanted to bring particular attention to the unacceptable number of victims of intimate partner violence.
“We are witnessing an epidemic of homicide in this country and it must be addressed,” said Rep. Edwards. “The goals of this resolution are to honor the lives of all homicide victims, including those who died as a result of intimate partner violence. I thank my colleague and dear friend, Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), to make this a bipartisan resolution, and hope that it will raise awareness about how serious and widespread the issues of homicide and domestic violence are in America.”
At least forty-eight Maryland women and children lost their lives as a result of intimate partner homicide in one year from July, 2007 to June, 2008. Nationally, three women per day are murdered by their former or current husbands and partners, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 1976 to 2005, approximately 64.8% of all female homicide victims during that time were murdered by an intimate partner. Intimate partner homicide remains the second leading cause of traumatic death for pregnant women in America.
“Congresswoman Edwards is an unwavering voice for the victims of intimate partner violence,” said Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. “We join her in honoring and remembering so many who lost their lives to a spouse or partner. We commend Congresswomen Edwards for continuing to shed light on the pervasiveness and severity of domestic violence in America.”
Brandon Wallace, CEO and Executive Director of the William Kellibrew Foundation added, “William Kellibrew stood helplessly at the age of 10 as he watched his mother and brother gunned down by her estranged boyfriend before looking down the barrel of the gun himself. Intimate partner homicide cannot continue to rip families apart. We must support the legislation being introduced by Congresswoman Edwards and Congressman Poe to prevent further loss of innocent lives.”
The following organizations endorse the resolution: Legal Momentum, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the National Partnership for Women and Families, the William Kellibrew Foundation, and the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV).
###
Friday, September 18, 2009
Survivor Connecting with a Victim Turned Survivor
Wow, that's all I have to say tonight.
Hello friends,
It has been an interesting day. It was long, but productive. First, I spent the day with one of my mentees, a twelve year old, who was a witness to his mother's death. I got a chance to see the resilience in him. I got a chance to witness what it must have been like for me at his age when I lost my mom and brother to domestic violence.
He is smart and very aware of what happened on that horrible day when he lost him mom to point blank range shots from a former boyfriend. He understands that it was an absolutely bad thing to go through and he recognizes that it is from jealousy. But, really? Is it just jealousy? Children are more astute than we think they are. He is connecting this jealousy to his mom's death in which I agree. But, there is something more horrible than that at hand. His mom's killer did not value human life at all for that moment in time. More importantly, he did not value himself.
A great deal of caring about others' lives is caring about your own life. My mom's killer had been in prison for over ten years for murder and when he was released he met my mother. He fell back into his same patterns of abuse toward women and tried to control my mother. He was not happy with himself at all. Taking my mom and brother's life was truly him hating himself.
I knew when I heard my mentee's story, I had a lot of work to do. I had to prepare to sacrifice my time, energy and effort to help him back to recovery. I also mentor his 19 year old brother. They both are suffering from a tremendous loss. Now, they grapple with the murder, but they have so much resolve. I am proud of them today. By taking a stand to live life in a decent way, they are standing up against this violence. I could not help but be a resource to them. That's why I am helping them to develop their passion.
I challenge you today to reach out to somebody. Encourage them. Show them that there are alternatives to negative behaviour and that there is love in all of us. Some person out there is begging for help without saying a word. Words escape them because they have lost all hope. I know. I have been there. Reach out. Put your hand out there for them to grab. It makes all the difference in the world.
Today, I saw my young mentee as a survivor. He once was controlled by his killer and now he is defining himself.
Keep up the good work my friend. I share your pain and I share your tragedy. Today, I share your hope.
Til next time.
Hello friends,
It has been an interesting day. It was long, but productive. First, I spent the day with one of my mentees, a twelve year old, who was a witness to his mother's death. I got a chance to see the resilience in him. I got a chance to witness what it must have been like for me at his age when I lost my mom and brother to domestic violence.
He is smart and very aware of what happened on that horrible day when he lost him mom to point blank range shots from a former boyfriend. He understands that it was an absolutely bad thing to go through and he recognizes that it is from jealousy. But, really? Is it just jealousy? Children are more astute than we think they are. He is connecting this jealousy to his mom's death in which I agree. But, there is something more horrible than that at hand. His mom's killer did not value human life at all for that moment in time. More importantly, he did not value himself.
A great deal of caring about others' lives is caring about your own life. My mom's killer had been in prison for over ten years for murder and when he was released he met my mother. He fell back into his same patterns of abuse toward women and tried to control my mother. He was not happy with himself at all. Taking my mom and brother's life was truly him hating himself.
I knew when I heard my mentee's story, I had a lot of work to do. I had to prepare to sacrifice my time, energy and effort to help him back to recovery. I also mentor his 19 year old brother. They both are suffering from a tremendous loss. Now, they grapple with the murder, but they have so much resolve. I am proud of them today. By taking a stand to live life in a decent way, they are standing up against this violence. I could not help but be a resource to them. That's why I am helping them to develop their passion.
I challenge you today to reach out to somebody. Encourage them. Show them that there are alternatives to negative behaviour and that there is love in all of us. Some person out there is begging for help without saying a word. Words escape them because they have lost all hope. I know. I have been there. Reach out. Put your hand out there for them to grab. It makes all the difference in the world.
Today, I saw my young mentee as a survivor. He once was controlled by his killer and now he is defining himself.
Keep up the good work my friend. I share your pain and I share your tragedy. Today, I share your hope.
Til next time.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Innocence Torn Away: In Search of a Child Molester after 30 Years
Dear Friends...
As I looked at the news and saw a 29 year old Jaycee Lee Dugard rescued I could not help but share her pain. 1991, Jaycee was kidnapped at 11 years old and held captive until 29 years old. She was repetitively raped and had two children by her captor. Her family was devastated and I can only imagine what poor Jaycee was going through being pulled from everything she knew. While her story shocks me and has brought me to tears since her story aired, Jaycee's story has inspired me with vigor and determination to save children and to deal with my own situation.
When I was six years old, I was violently raped and molested by my mom's friend and neighbor. We lived in a complex named Dodge View in Landover, Maryland. I felt hopeless all of these years, but today, I feel that he should be found and stopped from ever doing this again.
Today starts my search for this man who ripped through my soul and innocence at six. I was damaged for life. "Jose" was a good friend of my mom's and befriended me. He offered to fix my bicycle and instead of first fixing my bike, he pulled down my clothes, rubbed lotion all over my body and raped me at six. I never told my mother before she died. When she died I was ten. So, whatever hope of finding him and bringing him to justice was out of the question at that time. This hopelessness has stuck with me for an eternity, until today.
I am going to work to locate him and work to make sure that he can not harm another child. I can only imagine how many other children feel prey to his coercion and manipulation in order to rip their souls away.
Where do I start? Well, I am going to start with the Prince George's County Police Department. I have contacted the Deputy Chief of Police for another reason, but I am going to add this conversation in the mix. Next, I am going to search for information on the apartment complex back then, ask for their records and try to locate this man. I have so many things to say to him.
Whether he is prosecuted or convicted, my only solace comes in him knowing how he damaged me and how he took my innocence from me and to know I just might be able to save another child.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I bled and bled that day. My dad never knew, my mom never knew and my brothers and sister never knew. I revealed this at 14. By that time, as I mentioned, mom was dead. So, I was devastated during my teenage years having to deal with this nearly alone.
If you are out there and you feel like I do; stand up for yourself. Let's put people like this where they belong. There are many children who do not speak up. We have to break the silence and bring criminals like this to justice.
Let's take a look at some statistics on child molesters. You will find this troubling, but today I have more resolve than ever. Somewhere in a small corner, a backyard, compound, dark closet, hut, dwelling, is a small child suffering a terrible fate. My heart is heavy for them and my determination has taken over.
Child Molester Statistics
This excerpt is taken from http://www.yellodyno.com/html/child_molester_stats.html, Yello Dyno, Protecting Children From Child Molestors
"The serial killer has the same personality characteristics as the sex offender against children"-Dr. Mace Knapp, Nevada State Prison Psychologist.• "There are 400,000 registered sex offenders in the United States, and an estimated 80 to 100,000 of them are missing. They're supposed to be registered, but we don't know where they are and we don't know where they're living.- Ernie Allen, President of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to co-anchor Hannah Storm on The Early Show
• The most serious and chronic offenders often show signs of antisocial behavior as early as the preschool years.- (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) (was in Juvenile Justice Bulletin: Nov 1998 OJJDP: U.S. Department of Justice)• Dr. Gene Abel estimates that between 1% and 5% of our population molest children -CNN Specials Transcript #454-Thieves of Childhood.
• Nearly all the offenders in sexual assaults reported to law enforcement were male (96%).- Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement, 7/00, NCJ 182990, U.S. Department of Justice
• Overall, 23% of sexual assault offenders were under 18 and 77% were adults - Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement,7/00, NCJ 182990, U.S. Department of Justice
• 40% of the offenders of victims under age 6 were themselves juveniles. A similar proportion (39%) of offenders of victims ages 6 through 11 were also juveniles. For older juvenile victims, the proportion of juvenile offenders dropped to 27%.- Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement,7/00, NCJ 182990, U.S. Department of Justice
•Adults were the offender in 60% of the sexual assaults of youth under age 12. Rarely were the offenders of young victims strangers. Strangers were the offender in just 3% of sexual assaults against victims under age 6 and 5% of the sexual assault of victimization of youth ages 6 through 11.-Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement,7/00, NCJ 182990, U.S. Department of Justice
• 1 in 5 violent offenders serving time in a state prison reported having victimized a child.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• 2/3 of all prisoners convicted of rape or sexual assault had committed their crime against a child.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Acquaintance perpetrators are the most common abusers, constituting approximately 70-90% of all reported perpetrators.-Finkelhor, D. 1994.
• 89% of child sexual assault cases involve persons known to the child, such as a caretaker or family acquaintance.-Diana Russell Survey, 1978
• 29% of child sexual abuse offenders are relatives, 60% are acquaintances, and only 11% are strangers.-Diana Russell, The Secret Trauma, NY:Basic Books, 1986.
• For the vast majority of child victimizers in State prison, the victim was someone they knew before the crime. 1/3 had committed their crime against their own child, about 1/2 had a relationship with the victim as a friend, acquaintance, or relative other than offspring, about 1 in 7 reported the victim to have been a stranger to them.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• 3/4 of the violent victimizations of children took place in either the victim's home or the offenders home.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Males are reported to be the abusers in 80-95% of cases-Thoringer, D., et al., 1988.
• About 60% of the male survivors sampled report at least one of their perpetrators to be female.-Mendel, 1993.
• All but 3% of offenders who committed violent crimes against children were male.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
•The typical offender is male, begins molesting by age 15, engages in a variety of deviant behavior, and molests an average of 117 youngsters, most of whom do not report the offense.-Dr. Gene Abel in a National Institute of Mental Health Study.
• Offenders who had victimized a child were on average 5 years older than the violent offenders who had committed their crimes against adults. Nearly 25% of child victimizers were age 40 or older, but about 10% of the inmates with adult victims fell in that range.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• 71% of male offenders are under the age of 35.-Dr. Ann Burges, Dr. Nicholas Groth, et al. in a study of imprisoned offenders.
• 3/4 of sexual predators are younger than 35. About 80% are of normal intelligence or above.-Profiles from the FBI Academy and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
• Though officially, not considered abuse, the highest incidence of incest occurs among siblings.-Waterman & Lusk, 1986.
• Many clinical settings currently are witnessing a dramatic increase in the number of adolescent offenders who have committed sexually aggressive acts against other children.-Conte, Jon R., 1986.
• While nearly 70% of those serving time for violent crimes against children were white, whites accounted for 40% of those imprisoned for violent crimes against adults.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Inmates who victimized children were less likely than other inmates to have a prior criminal record-nearly 1/3 of child victimizers had never been arrested prior to the current offense, compared to less than 20% of those who victimized adults.--BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Violent child victimizers were substantially more likely than those with adult victims to have been physically or sexually abused when they were children..-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• 50% of reported child molestations involve the use of physical force and child molesters produce as much visible physical injury as rapists-39% of victims.-Dr. Gene Abel in a National Institute of Mental Health Study.
• About 14% of child victimizers carried a weapon during the violent crime, compared to nearly 1/2 of those who victimized adults.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• About 10% of violent offenders with child victims received life or death sentences and the average prison term was 11 years, somewhat shorter average sentences than received by those with adult victims.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• More than 1/2 of all convicted sex offenders are sent back to prison within a year. Within 2 years, 77.9% are back.-California Department of Corrections.
• Recidivism rates range from 18-45%. The more violent the crime the more likelihood of repeating.-Studies by the state of Washington.
• 3 in 10 child victimizers reported that they had committed their crimes against multiple victims: they were more likely than those who victimized adults to have had multiple victims.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Like rape, child molestation is one of the most under reported crimes: only 1-10% are ever disclosed.-FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.
• The behavior is highly repetitive, to the point of compulsion, rather than resulting from a lack of judgment.-Dr. Ann Burges, Dr. Nicholas Groth, et al. in a study of imprisoned offenders
These statistics are horrible and show that there has to be more education in our homes, schools and community. Keep you eyes and ears to the ground. Check your children out. Ensure that you have great communication between you and your children. Let's save a life.
Til next time...
As I looked at the news and saw a 29 year old Jaycee Lee Dugard rescued I could not help but share her pain. 1991, Jaycee was kidnapped at 11 years old and held captive until 29 years old. She was repetitively raped and had two children by her captor. Her family was devastated and I can only imagine what poor Jaycee was going through being pulled from everything she knew. While her story shocks me and has brought me to tears since her story aired, Jaycee's story has inspired me with vigor and determination to save children and to deal with my own situation.
When I was six years old, I was violently raped and molested by my mom's friend and neighbor. We lived in a complex named Dodge View in Landover, Maryland. I felt hopeless all of these years, but today, I feel that he should be found and stopped from ever doing this again.
Today starts my search for this man who ripped through my soul and innocence at six. I was damaged for life. "Jose" was a good friend of my mom's and befriended me. He offered to fix my bicycle and instead of first fixing my bike, he pulled down my clothes, rubbed lotion all over my body and raped me at six. I never told my mother before she died. When she died I was ten. So, whatever hope of finding him and bringing him to justice was out of the question at that time. This hopelessness has stuck with me for an eternity, until today.
I am going to work to locate him and work to make sure that he can not harm another child. I can only imagine how many other children feel prey to his coercion and manipulation in order to rip their souls away.
Where do I start? Well, I am going to start with the Prince George's County Police Department. I have contacted the Deputy Chief of Police for another reason, but I am going to add this conversation in the mix. Next, I am going to search for information on the apartment complex back then, ask for their records and try to locate this man. I have so many things to say to him.
Whether he is prosecuted or convicted, my only solace comes in him knowing how he damaged me and how he took my innocence from me and to know I just might be able to save another child.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I bled and bled that day. My dad never knew, my mom never knew and my brothers and sister never knew. I revealed this at 14. By that time, as I mentioned, mom was dead. So, I was devastated during my teenage years having to deal with this nearly alone.
If you are out there and you feel like I do; stand up for yourself. Let's put people like this where they belong. There are many children who do not speak up. We have to break the silence and bring criminals like this to justice.
Let's take a look at some statistics on child molesters. You will find this troubling, but today I have more resolve than ever. Somewhere in a small corner, a backyard, compound, dark closet, hut, dwelling, is a small child suffering a terrible fate. My heart is heavy for them and my determination has taken over.
Child Molester Statistics
This excerpt is taken from http://www.yellodyno.com/html/child_molester_stats.html, Yello Dyno, Protecting Children From Child Molestors
"The serial killer has the same personality characteristics as the sex offender against children"-Dr. Mace Knapp, Nevada State Prison Psychologist.• "There are 400,000 registered sex offenders in the United States, and an estimated 80 to 100,000 of them are missing. They're supposed to be registered, but we don't know where they are and we don't know where they're living.- Ernie Allen, President of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to co-anchor Hannah Storm on The Early Show
• The most serious and chronic offenders often show signs of antisocial behavior as early as the preschool years.- (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) (was in Juvenile Justice Bulletin: Nov 1998 OJJDP: U.S. Department of Justice)• Dr. Gene Abel estimates that between 1% and 5% of our population molest children -CNN Specials Transcript #454-Thieves of Childhood.
• Nearly all the offenders in sexual assaults reported to law enforcement were male (96%).- Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement, 7/00, NCJ 182990, U.S. Department of Justice
• Overall, 23% of sexual assault offenders were under 18 and 77% were adults - Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement,7/00, NCJ 182990, U.S. Department of Justice
• 40% of the offenders of victims under age 6 were themselves juveniles. A similar proportion (39%) of offenders of victims ages 6 through 11 were also juveniles. For older juvenile victims, the proportion of juvenile offenders dropped to 27%.- Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement,7/00, NCJ 182990, U.S. Department of Justice
•Adults were the offender in 60% of the sexual assaults of youth under age 12. Rarely were the offenders of young victims strangers. Strangers were the offender in just 3% of sexual assaults against victims under age 6 and 5% of the sexual assault of victimization of youth ages 6 through 11.-Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement,7/00, NCJ 182990, U.S. Department of Justice
• 1 in 5 violent offenders serving time in a state prison reported having victimized a child.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• 2/3 of all prisoners convicted of rape or sexual assault had committed their crime against a child.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Acquaintance perpetrators are the most common abusers, constituting approximately 70-90% of all reported perpetrators.-Finkelhor, D. 1994.
• 89% of child sexual assault cases involve persons known to the child, such as a caretaker or family acquaintance.-Diana Russell Survey, 1978
• 29% of child sexual abuse offenders are relatives, 60% are acquaintances, and only 11% are strangers.-Diana Russell, The Secret Trauma, NY:Basic Books, 1986.
• For the vast majority of child victimizers in State prison, the victim was someone they knew before the crime. 1/3 had committed their crime against their own child, about 1/2 had a relationship with the victim as a friend, acquaintance, or relative other than offspring, about 1 in 7 reported the victim to have been a stranger to them.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• 3/4 of the violent victimizations of children took place in either the victim's home or the offenders home.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Males are reported to be the abusers in 80-95% of cases-Thoringer, D., et al., 1988.
• About 60% of the male survivors sampled report at least one of their perpetrators to be female.-Mendel, 1993.
• All but 3% of offenders who committed violent crimes against children were male.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
•The typical offender is male, begins molesting by age 15, engages in a variety of deviant behavior, and molests an average of 117 youngsters, most of whom do not report the offense.-Dr. Gene Abel in a National Institute of Mental Health Study.
• Offenders who had victimized a child were on average 5 years older than the violent offenders who had committed their crimes against adults. Nearly 25% of child victimizers were age 40 or older, but about 10% of the inmates with adult victims fell in that range.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• 71% of male offenders are under the age of 35.-Dr. Ann Burges, Dr. Nicholas Groth, et al. in a study of imprisoned offenders.
• 3/4 of sexual predators are younger than 35. About 80% are of normal intelligence or above.-Profiles from the FBI Academy and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
• Though officially, not considered abuse, the highest incidence of incest occurs among siblings.-Waterman & Lusk, 1986.
• Many clinical settings currently are witnessing a dramatic increase in the number of adolescent offenders who have committed sexually aggressive acts against other children.-Conte, Jon R., 1986.
• While nearly 70% of those serving time for violent crimes against children were white, whites accounted for 40% of those imprisoned for violent crimes against adults.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Inmates who victimized children were less likely than other inmates to have a prior criminal record-nearly 1/3 of child victimizers had never been arrested prior to the current offense, compared to less than 20% of those who victimized adults.--BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Violent child victimizers were substantially more likely than those with adult victims to have been physically or sexually abused when they were children..-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• 50% of reported child molestations involve the use of physical force and child molesters produce as much visible physical injury as rapists-39% of victims.-Dr. Gene Abel in a National Institute of Mental Health Study.
• About 14% of child victimizers carried a weapon during the violent crime, compared to nearly 1/2 of those who victimized adults.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• About 10% of violent offenders with child victims received life or death sentences and the average prison term was 11 years, somewhat shorter average sentences than received by those with adult victims.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• More than 1/2 of all convicted sex offenders are sent back to prison within a year. Within 2 years, 77.9% are back.-California Department of Corrections.
• Recidivism rates range from 18-45%. The more violent the crime the more likelihood of repeating.-Studies by the state of Washington.
• 3 in 10 child victimizers reported that they had committed their crimes against multiple victims: they were more likely than those who victimized adults to have had multiple victims.-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
• Like rape, child molestation is one of the most under reported crimes: only 1-10% are ever disclosed.-FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.
• The behavior is highly repetitive, to the point of compulsion, rather than resulting from a lack of judgment.-Dr. Ann Burges, Dr. Nicholas Groth, et al. in a study of imprisoned offenders
These statistics are horrible and show that there has to be more education in our homes, schools and community. Keep you eyes and ears to the ground. Check your children out. Ensure that you have great communication between you and your children. Let's save a life.
Til next time...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
