THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM very pleased to see that this issue of sexual violence/acts against children is being addressed. As a Jamaican now living in the United States, I was a victim of childhood sexual abuse by several perpetrators. Parents/grandparents who are raising their children, need to be more careful with whom they are having relationships with and giving access to their children. These perpetrators are very skilled at what they do and hunt for vulnerable parents who need financial help and their claim is that they are becoming fathers for these children.
These criminals need to be given stiff sentences for their crime. This type of abuse damages our children forever. Most victims themselves lack self esteem and give of their bodies freely because they feel powerless to say no, even in a consenting situation. I have been fortunate that I became an overcomer and now work in child protective services and see many criminals such as these prosecuted.
We need to teach our children to tell someone they trust when they are being victimised. I pray that many children/adults are able to speak out due to the publicity that you have begun. When we speak, tell the secret, we win; the criminals have no power over us.
I am, etc.,
Ms. STEVENSON
d_stephenson2@verizon.net
Via Go-Jamaica
