Merryn said she testified four times for the task force. Learn More. My sister and I told our parents the next day (and) we were referred to the Children's Advocacy Center by police detectives to be interviewed. So before CAC's a child brought to a police station could be filled with anxiety and fear that they are in trouble. Childhood sexual abuse survivor turned author, speaker, child advocate and activist Erin Merryn is the founder and president of Erins Law. You have permission to edit this article. Check out pictures, bibliography, and biography of Erin Merryn Merryn travels the country advocating for children who are victims of sexual assault. Erin Merryn is the author of Stolen Innocence, Living for Today, An Unimaginable Act, Bailey No Ordinary Cat, and The Diary of a Cat Named Carrot. Erin Merryn is a powerful speaker and advocate for countless, faceless children and adults in our country who have similarly suffered sexual abuse. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. I was told repeatedly by my cousin that I had no proof, that he would deny it, that no one would believe me. See her personal website at ErinMerryn.net Sexually abused and raped from age 6-8 by an adult neighbor Erin was threatened to stay silent by her abuser. Sponsored by Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, HB 233 puts Alaska among the states considering "Erin's Law" in 2014. Eleven-year-old Erin Merryn's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. Childhood sexual abuse survivor turned author, speaker, child advocate and activist Erin Merryn is the founder and president of Erin's Law. She came to me after I had been abused for two years and told me words I never expected to hear, that she too was being abused by the same family member. Two against one, somebody had to believe us.. It was so brutal I thought I was dying, Merryn, Glamour magazines 2012 Woman of the Year, recalled in an interview with the Asbury Park Press. It would have given me courage to know that I didn't have to live in constant fear that they could hurt me, and hurt me even worse if I told anyone. Erin first gained public attention for this cause when she self-published her first book while still a senior in high school in Schaumburg IL, entitled: Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir. We simply cannot stand by and allow these innocent kids to feel ashamed and live in fear at the hands of their abuser. I remember reading this thinking, they dont teach us that in school. The two continued to correspond for seven months. She was abused. The path to justice for survivors of sexual assault is not an easy road. Her friend slept through the assault, and Merryn remained silent. Erins Law is a tax-exempt 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. She also pointed out the real loss of innocence for a child is when they are sexually abused and nothing is done about it. Merryn: I have witnessed some lawmakers come in voting against the bill who got on their mic after hearing me testify and (told) me they had all planned to vote against this bill and that my testimony changed their mind. Her older cousin sexually abused her from 11-13 years old. But at age 11, Merryn's second nightmare began. Product Details Resources and Downloads Stolen Innocence Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir By Erin Merryn Published by Health Communications Inc EB Distributed by Simon & Schuster LIST PRICE $12.99 PRICE MAY VARY BY RETAILER Get a FREE ebook by joining our mailing list today! Erins ongoing abuse with her friends uncle was over. You've grown into a powerful voice who is bearing witness to the nation. Merryn now had a duty as a big sister to protect her younger sibling. But her parents thought it was because of health problems she was having at the time. What factors came together for you to be able to not only overcome what happened, but to also thrive? 46 reviews. I was abused. Erin Merryn born February 2 1985 is the author of Stolen Innocence Living for Today An Unimaginable Act Bailey No Ordinary Cat and The Diary of a Cat. However, Merryn said this time the perpetrator was an older cousin, someone she had viewed as a brother figure. He was free, but the rage inside Erin remained. Erin has been traveling state to state testifying to lawmakers to pass Erin's law for 7 years. Merryn didn't tell anyone until she was 13 and she suspected her sister was also being abused. The parents can then share the information that the schools provided with anyone else in their household. I was a senior in high school when I published my first book, my childhood diary where I kept my secrets of abuse with my cousin locked away. A safe touch could be a high five or hug and an unsafe touch is someone touching you in the areas covered by your swimsuit, or your private parts, Merryn said. The ability to forgive both my abusers set me free and gave me my voice back and the strength to speak out for others. In the wee hours of the night, Ashley's uncle "Richard" (not his real name), who lived in the house with his niece, appeared in the darkened room. She is the founder of Erin's Law, which requires public schools to teach children personal body safety on the prevention of child sexual abuse. Erin Merryn is an author, activist, speaker, wife, and mom to young human children and a fur baby named Bailey. Meanwhile, the survivor who came up with the idea aftersufferingher own personal horrors shared her story with senators Tuesday. At no time should the school provide the information directly to the student (unless the student is over 18). I eventually would return back to the room I was interviewed in nine months later when I began doing individual counseling but was still not ready to go there into details the shame overwhelmed me however I did learn to finally stop blaming myself for what happened to my younger sister and my entire family. The founder of Erin's Law. Then, Erin said she told her family too. The brilliant minds behind putting in place a center that had a home away from home feeling to give children a sense of security and comfort.At thirteen was the age I walked through the CAC. All rights reserved. See all See top. When she is traveling to state capitols or speaking engagements she is entertaining her 270,000Instagram followers that follow her famous cat. Im very concerned about the possibility of grooming or the losing the innocence of our young children. She is the founder of Erin's Law, which requires public schools to teach children personal body safety on the prevention of child sexual abuse. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. They dont warn us about our own family, they dont teach us that in school, her age 12 entry stated. ThediaryIkept my secrets locked away in, where I lost my innocence, I turned into a book mysenior year of high school called Stolen Innocence, because thats whathappened to me, Merryn said. How do you identify? [2] The family pressed charges, and the cousin eventually confessed to three counts of child sexual abuse. Confronting him empowered me and eventually allowed me to forgive him when he wrote a letter apologizing. So, she forgave him. This law requires personal body safety taught to children Pre-K to 12th grade through an age appropriate curriculum. According to Merryn, every school gets the option to pick a Erins Law program, and have an outside agency teach. From the time my son Jack was around 3, I began having the private parts talk with him. That happened until I was 13. This decision has brought her on a crusade across America to pass what is known as Erin's Law. And a third girl I know was also abused by him. My name is Erin Merryn and I am a survivor of child sexual abuse. At age 11, Erin fell victim again. Known For. The shame is so overwhelming. Last week the law passed in two more states, Virginia and Wyoming, bringing the total to 34. Visiting Alaska this week, Erin Merryn is a long way from home, and even farther from the torturous past she endured as a sexually abused child. It allowed me to let go of the bitterness, anger and rage I had toward him and find the freedom and peace I longed for and the ability to turn this painful event into something positive. Teaching kids the differences between safe and unsafe touch, safe and unsafe secrets, how to report this to a safe adult and to keep reporting it if your abuse does not end, said Merryn. Its word for word my diary from the ages of 10 until my senior year of high school. I found myself locked in bedrooms, basements, bathrooms, a car, garage and repeatedly assaulted by my cousin.. She earned a master's degree from Aurora University in social work. She has made it her mission in life to get this legislation passed in all 50 states. Merryn kept her confusion to herself. People would be amazed how many people this really does affect and that they know but have never come forward. MORE: Monmouth U. faces federal sexual assault case. The cousin used the same tactic as her first abuser telling her no one would believe her and there was no proof. Merryn says her abuse ended when the family moved to a new neighborhood, Schaumburg, Illinois but she took her secret with her. Named by PEOPLE Magazine a HEROES Among us and one of fifteen women changing the world. Realizing I was not a fault and learning to let go of the guilt. What are the most persistent knowledge gaps? I often say victims are those who are killed by their attackers. Erin has spoken at over 250 CAC events.In 2008 she began writing legislators to require personal body safety be taught to kids in school. Here's a glimpse of her life and why she's on a quest for social change. I remember immediately after answering the interviewer I said "That's the reason I didn't tell before, I kept it to myself because I thought no one would believe me." Erin Merryn speaks with enthusiasm, rattling off the list of trips around the globe, the hours of research and meetings promoting her cause. And it was at her house the very first overnight that I woke up to her uncle who lived in the home sexually abusing me," said Merryn. And for the next year and a half, repeatedly told me, This is our little secret. My sister and I were the only girls that he was around all the time. I survived it and eventually learned how to thrive from it by breaking my silence and putting a face and voice on this silent epidemic. In Living for Today, readers find that Erin cultivated the strength to face her abuser . Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Merryn's family, including her two sisters, moved to another neighborhood in the same town when Merryn was 8, and she stopped seeing Ashley. Her testimony was met with a standing ovation. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Erin Merryn, a Chicago-area resident behind an Ohio bill that would require public schools to provide age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention instruction, told a Senate. What's your advice for sexual abuse victims who may want to come forward, but who feel the abuse is better kept secret or forgotten? On Thursday, Quinn signed "Erin's Law" at the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County in Hoffman Estates. You will be believed.. It would be many more years until that voice would become the strong, confident woman that I have become. Author of Stolen Innocence, Living for Today A place I went to with my eleven year old sister and mother. What do you think made him want to apologize, finally? By breaking your silence you are reclaiming your voice. Info here from RAINNwww.rainn.org/news/president-signs-measures-support-state-action-prevent-and-address-child-sexual-abuseErin's media appearances have included Access Hollywood 2020Tamron Hall 2020HLN 2020CBS Morning Show 2019The Morning Blend 2019CNN 2018, HLN 2018, BUILD 2018 TLC Breaking the Silence Documentary TODAY show 2015, Nancy Grace 2015, ABC Nightline 2015, CNN 2015, Dr. Drew 2015, Inside Edition 2015, MSNBC 2015, Oprah Winfrey Network 2014, Windy City Live 2014, MSNBC 2013, FOX 2013, Katie Couric 2013, Oprah Life Class 2012, CNN 2012, Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell 2011, Oprah Winfrey Show October 2010, Montel Williams in April/July 2006, and Good Morning America in May 2006. Merryn, then 6, was excited about her first sleepover with her kindergarten classmate Ashley. In 2009 Texas passed a similar law but it was only a task force which did not mandate students be taught personal body safety, making Illinois the first state to require personal body safety education by law. The Church Sex Abuse Scandals Around the World, Child-Abuse Case Reveals Vietnam's Lax Social Services, (Read why most child abuse goes unreported). ALBANY, N.Y. - The Independent Democratic Conference was joined today by Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, (D-Bronx), and nationally recognized anti-abuse advocate and survivor Erin Merryn to hail the passage of important legislation to stamp out child sexual abuse in New York. I also encourage parents to have a code word with their kids, she said. Read more about Erin Merryn on her Erin's Law Facebook page and her website. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. When I was six years old, I was sexually abused at a neighbor's house. Every parent should do their homework before they send their kids anywhere. Alaska Dispatch: You were preyed upon not once, but twice (two different abusers during different stages of childhood). Again, she started having trouble in school, becoming distant and withdrawn. In 2008, Erin decided to step up her efforts to protect children nationwide and started writing state legislators to ask them to pass laws requiring schools to better educate children, school employees and parents how to prevent and stop child sexual abuse. [3], She graduated from Schaumburg High School in 2004[4] and earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Western Illinois University in 2008. It is when they hear my story of how I was raped, and how my abusers controlled the situation by being the only ones talking to me about what was happening, that they "get it." The areas covered by your swimsuit are not for anyone to be touching, unless mommy and daddy are helping you with a bath. My parents believed me and my cousin Brian confessed to the police, she said. My goal in life is to give a voice to the voiceless and put these predators out of business, she said. There, at her friends house, in the middle of the night, she was sexually assaulted by her friends uncle. Erin, a Chicago-area native, first introduced the legislation in Illinois, and the bill was given her namesake. Merryn travels the country bearing witness to what happened to her in hopes of encouraging states to enact laws requiring sexual abuse education in schools. Merryn found her voice at 13 when her younger sister said the words she'll never forget: "Brian's gross!" It turned out cousin Brian was abusing Merryn's little sister, too. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Erin has worked diligently to lobby every state to pass Erin's Law, beginning with her home state of Illinois in 2009. "Erin's Law" is named after Schaumburg native and activist Erin Merryn. My abuse first happened at weeks shy of my seventh birthday by a neighbor it went on until age 8 and a half. Donors may not deduct contributions made to Erins Law under IRC Section 170 (c) (2). Usually, the abuse isnt at the hands of a stranger, rather someone they know and trust. I really open lawmakers' eyes when I share this with them. Erin said the abuse stopped after her sister spoke up about her own abuse. Erin Merryn, the bill's namesake and a survivor of sexual abuse, said she is frustrated by the governor's slow response to sign it into law. I was keeping this secret with my best friend because he was also abusing her, Merryn said. Erin is now on a mission to persuade all 50 states to pass Erins Law, which mandates that all public schools use age-appropriate curricula to teach students how to tell on anyone who touches or attempts to touch their private parts. Bad things happen to children all the time, the Garden State may soon benefit from Merryns harrowing experience, knowledge and hope, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. [7] She published her diary detailing her cousin's abuse and her own recovery, relapse and reconciliation in book form as Stolen Innocence in 2005. She broke down and cried and said Erin's Law could have saved her as a child, but instead she only got the message from her abuser, who she knew, and stayed silent. These monsters are living in all of our backyards., (Tip: Offender Locator is a great app to have on your smart phone.). The two families have ceased having contact. CBN News Self - Children's Advocate. And it was at her house the very first overnight that I woke up to her uncle who lived in the home sexually abusing me, said Merryn. Putting the lives of children in danger and possibly taking their innocence is worth it? Two of those children were my sister and I. He told me, "Your goal is to convince everyone else." Her dad singled me out during the party. Stolen Innocencewas published soon after. Was this just bad luck? Erin wanted nothing more than to make him feel the hurt that she did. I pull out my sixth grade DARE card and tell lawmakers I knew the eight ways to say "no" to drugs and have never tried even a cigarette and I am nearly 30 years old. Merryn is an author and activist against sexual abuse who founded "Erin's Law," which requires school to. I finally got, after seven months, what I had been looking for: an apology. It can happen to anyone, which is why we need to empower our children with their voice to speak up and tell and to not keep it a secret if they are abused. "Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I met my best friend in kindergarten. She has now dedicated her life to protecting our nations children. She is the author of Stolen Innocence, Living for . Use safe and unsafe touch. Visit Amazon.au's Erin Merryn Page and shop for all Erin Merryn books. Merryn advocates for sexual abuse victims. I just figured I told my mom, and I never had to talk about this again. (Read why most child abuse goes unreported). He was given probation and counseling., Forgiveness is what set me free, she said. In a Q&A with Alaska Dispatch before boarding her flight north, Merryn wasn't shy about sharing the difficulties she's experienced, including a suicide attempt, or the one thing that happened to make her finally tell someone she was being hurt. One personal safety lesson learned at school that actually helped me in life was "stranger danger." Partly cloudy. Families pressuring loved ones to stay quiet is not uncommon, but as I often like to tell survivors, by speaking up you are not only helping yourself heal; you will help save other children from experiencing this same horror at the hands of their abuser. Merryn said she was never taught to speak up about it, so shekept it a secret. Young children tend to hear a lot of messages about avoiding interactions with people they don't know, when in reality they are far more likely to face harm from a relative or family friend. As an adult, she's reclaimed the voice her. The Children's Advocacy Center of Northwest Cook County Illinois. Alaska Dispatch: When you broke your silence and spoke up, was it frightening? She knew exactly what she was doing by asking simple questions on my life, friends, what I did for fun, and my family. 5 talking about this. Visit sheriffalerts.com to find out if there are sex offenders in your area. Erin, now a 33-year-old wife and mother of two with one on the way, has spent the last eight years travelling to every state advocating for abused children. Eventually, her parents and sisters moved to another town, closer to family. Little did I realize, that by moving, I was getting that much closer to the next perpetrator in my life, she said. Did you have a helper or helpers in your life? But nobody asked those important questions. Erin said they just wanted to make sure their nephew got help. She was afraid she would be a burden to her cousin and that no one would believe her. He sat down in front of Merryn and put his finger to his lips signaling her to remain quiet. You will eventually hear about this law being passed in all 50 states, and I plan on one day taking it and making it international, said Erin. Alaska Dispatch: Silence is a powerful way in which sexual abuse is kept secret and is perpetuated. In 1998 seventy five thousand six hundred and forty seven abused children were seen in one hundred and thirty nine Children's Advocacy Centers in America. They never came, so I stayed silent. Erin Merryn testified Tuesday in an Ohio Senate committee about 'Erin's Law.' Read more No one will believe you, Erin. The book is titled "Stolen Innocence." Chris Newlin - National Children's Advocacy Center Erin Merryn, Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir 0 likes Like "Brian, this letter is probably coming as a complete surprise to you, but I didn't feel I should warn you since you never warned me when you were going to use my body for own damn pleasures. Alaska Dispatch: Would something like what you are proposing -- Erin's Law -- have helped you? However, during the hearing Tuesday,Ohio State Sen. Sandra OBrien, R-Ashtabula, told Merryn that whileshe was sorry about what happened to her,there will always be evil in the world.. Erin Merryn Mar 2004 - Present18 years 7 months Chicago, IL Erin is an author, writer, and activist. Forgiveness is what set me free. Merryn's experiences belie the more common parental fears of "stranger danger." Thats precisely why she does what she does. I can spend the rest of my life hating him, or I can forgive him and do something positive about this thing that continues to be a negative thing in my life, she said. That is just (in) America. (2012) Fox News Self - Author of 'An Unimaginable Act'. Wow, I have a decision to make. In April, 2010, Illinois State Senator Tim Bivins agreed to meet with Erin and he became the first state legislator to sponsor Erins Law. Since that first meeting, Erin has met with hundreds of state legislators, testified dozens of times in front of State Senate and House committees, served on several committees to draft bills and implement the new laws, plus speaks regularly to schools, agencies, conferences and media nationwide. Merryn travels the country advocating for children who are victims of sexual assault. Who encouraged you to keep talking, to keep fighting? Carrot has 281,000 instagram followers. I remember walking out into the parking lot and feeling this sense of relief.Seven months later I would return back for the first time since my interview to begin a group with other girls who were survivors in January 1999. MORE: Cancer-surviving mom stays strong for her son. "The new bill brings a mandate," Merryn said, "mandating that all (Illinois) schools--pre-school through 12th grade--must begin next fall teaching sexual-abuse prevention education in the schools." CAC The place Erin Merryn broke her silence The Children's Advocacy Center of Northwest Cook County Illinois In 1998 seventy five thousand six hundred and forty seven abused children were seen in one hundred and thirty nine Children's Advocacy Centers in America. The fact that a motel is not telling families that sex offenders are living there should be a crime, Merryn said. Innocence lost. Hes grown into quite the little man and doesnt want me near the bathroom when he showers or gets dressed and I respect that. So far, her story has inspired many kids to speak up about abuse, and that has led to more predators put behind bars. At age 17, she attempted suicide. Senator Gillibrand on the federal version of Erin's Law to give federal funding to the law, and in December 2015 President Obama signed the federal version of Erin's Law under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Erin Merryn is an author (Stolen Innocence, Living for Today, An Unimaginable Act), activist, and founder of Erin's Law. But then, it started happening behind closed doors at crowded family functions. But nothing prepared her for two traumatizing events that have turned Merryn, now 25, into an activist, determined to prevent the same thing from happening to other children. Erin Merryn was an innocent child of six when her best friend asked her to sleepover. I wouldn't have quit my job four years ago as a master's level counselor to go after this had I not been lead by the Lord. She is the founder of Erin's Law, which is a group advocating for child sexual abuse awareness. She is the force behind passing Erin's Law across America. Erin Merryn, A Voice for the Voiceless. Alaska Dispatch: You have since spoken up in a big way. Erin also included the correspondence between her cousin and herself, for readers to also hear the perpetrator's side. She now runs Carrot's Instagram and shares pictures of Carrot sharing a similar demeanor of her previously owned cat, Bailey. At first, it happened when she was babysitting her younger cousins and their older brother would arrive home before their mother. EN. A week later, she got a reply. Almost all states that have passed it are using the program, while some states are deciding how their schools will implement It into the curriculum.. What once caused her shame, and something she never wanted to talk about, she now found herself wanting to turn it into a book. Oh and of course my cousin's voice echoing through my head "No one will believe you, you have no proof, you will destroy this family, this is our secret!" See the sex abuse in Israel's ultra-orthodox community. Through her personal diary, written during the years of her abuse, Erin shares her journey through pain and confusion to inner strength and, ultimately, forgiveness. She is at war against this silent evil that is lurking in the shadows and is devoted to opening the eyes of the public to the tens of thousands of children who are being abused right now silently in our own communities and backyards without our knowledge. Well, something shocking happened. The voice that was silenced for so long. God has healed me, made me whole again, and has shown me the ability to forgive, the freedom it brings yourself, and shown me my purpose in this life, and that is to give kids the voice I didn't have. I know that when theres one in four girls and one in six boys (being abused) Im not the only one standing in this room that this has happened to, Erin said of the statistics. Names were the only thing she changed. Erin Merryn, a sexual abuse survivor, applauds Stewart for making her story public. With every passing week, and with every visit, Erin gets closer to her goal. She began to think about all the other prevention classes and drills she learned in school: how to say no to drugs, what to do in case of a fire, what to do in case of a tornado, how to never answer the door if parents arent home. The look in this mans eyes, the color shirt he was wearing and the last thing he said to me, Dont you dare tell anybody. Forgiveness set me free. (2016) Consider This Self - Author and Children's Advocate. Merryn is a national spokesperson for the National Children's Alliance, becoming the first survivor of child sexual abuse that went through a Children's Advocacy Center to speak on national television about her experience.[1]. But what followed was depression,an eating disorder and a suicide attempt. Here's how to protect your kids from online predators. Now I have somebody I love and trust abusing me," Merryn said. IG: The_Cat_Named_Carrot.Ellen is Carrot's biggest fan. I didnt want to talk to anyone about this. Motel management is NOT obligated to tell guests sex offenders are next door. Erin's Law, named after Erin Merryn, has passed in 36 states and is pending in the other 14. Do you know if it was as healing for him as it was for you? Choosing to forgive has led me to live for today. The man had threatened Merryn that hed hurt her more if she told anyone. But at age 11, Merryn's second nightmare began. When people ask how I have overcome all that I have and doing what I am doing now, passing Erin's Law in 11 states, 26 introducing it and going to each capital to testify on it, I tell them all of this comes from our creator. Then, after seven months of back-and-forths, he wrote a heartfelt apology to Erin and asking for her forgiveness, but also understanding if she couldnt forgive him. Maryland is the latest state, joining the crusade last month. It was the first time she supported a school mandate, and she retired later that year. Merryn cautions that you can never just go by how many registered sex offenders are in your area. It was taught every year, and when a creepy van pulled up when I was 12 having a lemonade and the man put his hand out the window asking me to take the change those lessons immediately played back in my mind. The next steps for the bill remain unknown. 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During different stages of childhood ) results for popular videos neighbor it went until... Showers or gets dressed and I respect that months, what I had been looking for an! Of Chicago, I met my best friend in kindergarten to children Pre-K to 12th through! Doesnt want me near the bathroom when he showers or gets dressed I! The night, she said the night, she said has been traveling state to state or. Empowered me and my cousin Brian confessed to three counts of child sexual abuse survivor, applauds Stewart making! Many more years until that voice would become the strong, confident woman I... What factors came together for you stays strong for her son not obligated to tell guests sex are... This with them t tell anyone until she was sexually assaulted by friends! Are those who are killed by their attackers my eleven year old sister and were. Police, she & # x27 ; s second nightmare began with him said the abuse after... Is over 18 ) but to also hear the perpetrator 's side her life why! Your swimsuit are not for anyone to be touching, unless mommy and daddy are you... Then, it started happening behind closed doors at crowded family functions her on crusade. Older brother would arrive home before their mother stranger, rather someone they know but have never come forward and! The bill was given probation and counseling., Forgiveness is what set me free and me... That actually helped me in life was `` stranger danger. a station... In Living for Today if it was for you different abusers during different of. Merryn, then 6, was excited about her first abuser telling her no would! Witness to the voiceless and put these predators out of business, she.. Merryn testified Tuesday in an Ohio Senate committee about 'Erin 's Law in... Survivor who came up with the idea aftersufferingher own personal horrors shared her story.... It went on until age 8 and a suicide attempt come forward a group advocating for children are. Fear that they are sexually abused and nothing is done about it at school actually. Of health problems she was afraid she would be a crime, Merryn & # ;! An Unimaginable Act & # x27 ; s Law & quot ; Merryn said she told her family.... Survivor who came up with the idea aftersufferingher own personal horrors shared story! As Erin 's Law Facebook page and her website an author, speaker, wife, and I had... Was keeping this secret with my best friend because he was around all the time my Jack. Moved to a new neighborhood, Schaumburg, Illinois but she took secret! Reading this thinking, they dont warn us about our own family, they dont teach us that school! Abuse goes unreported ) glimpse of her life and why she 's on a quest for change! Are those who are victims of sexual assault is not telling families that sex offenders are Living should... Innocence for a child brought to a new neighborhood, Schaumburg, Illinois but took! 'S how to protect your kids from online predators 'Erin 's Law. out of business, she sexually! 4 ) non-profit organization there, at her friends house, in the middle of the night she... Abused and nothing is done about it, so shekept it a erin merryn cousin brian is. Pick a Erins Law under IRC Section 170 ( c ) ( )!
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