Children are a precious and innocent gift. They are the future leaders of our society and the experiences they face while growing up teach them how to thrive.
Most parents try very hard to raise their children right, to teach them about rules and protect them from danger. Sadly, there is an epidemic that seems to be prevalent in our society that threatens the most innocent among us. That epidemic is child sexual assault and the shame bestowed on its victims.
In Canada, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience an unwanted sexual act and 80% of those incidents will happen before the age of 18. If that statistic shocks you, be prepared that 95% of victims know their perpetrator. It isn’t the stranger abductions on the street that children need to fear. It is those with which they place their trust: family members, friends of the family, coaches, teachers…. These individuals know how to manipulate a child’s mind.
But the thing they forget about children is their strength and resiliency. Their ability to fight back against what they know deep down is wrong. Those children can raise their voice against the brutality. Thanks to Little Warriors, they can know that they are not alone.
Little Warriors is a charity that aims to educate adults about how to prevent, recognize and react to sexual abuse disclosure. They provide information about the prevalence and frequency of child sexual abuse and steer victims in the direction of healing and support resources. “Little Warriors’ vision is to build the first of its kind treatment centre for children, the Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch.” Website: http://littlewarriors.ca/
Today, they launched a new campaign entitled “Everyday Albertans/Canadians Building the Be Brave Ranch.” http://littlewarriors.ca/everydaycanadians/ http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/09/17/brave-beginning-for-little-warriors-be-brave-ranch-for-children-victimized-by-sexual-abuse
This campaign is very fitting, considering the funds being raised for the ranch are coming from the efforts of victims, their families and community sponsors who all recognize the need for a specialized treatment centre. The Alberta Government denied funding assistance to help build this ranch, even though they provide funding for sexual offenders so-called “rehabilitation.” Victims are left with counselling bills that are paid out of their own pockets. Premier Alison Redford tried to shrug off questions about funding from a local victim Alison Lee on August 26th. Her tearful video after the meeting can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8640G5uvXU That the Premier of Alberta could so blatantly disregard facts proves that there is much work to be done to educate.
Those who were once the most vulnerable are now the warriors fighting to change laws and society’s perceptions. I stand beside them in their quest to make the Be Brave Ranch a reality. Their voices will be heard and they will remain silent no more.
