While it is probably true that that Shattered Reality would not have existed had the author’s daughter not been the subject of such an appalling crime, it is irrefutable that we are all much richer for it. Moreover, while readers may find the narrative alarming it is at the same time very helpful.
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which a child is abused for the sexual gratification of an adult or older adolescent. After being sexually abused, the unfortunate victim may suffer and experience a multitude of consequences resulting of this hideous act such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, tendency to re-victimization in adulthood, and countless more.
What I found mind boggling, when I did a little research, was that according to recent statistics it is estimated that 20% to 25% of women and 5% to 15% of men were sexually abused when they were children. And these are the ones we know about or have been reported.
Most disturbing, and as frequently demonstrated, most of these sexual offenders are generally familiar with their prey and there is a wide array of perpetrators from neighbours, babysitters, family friends, to relatives as fathers, grandparents, uncles, cousins, etc. Another painful facet of this repugnant crime is that men perpetrate most child molestation although this is not to say that women do not commit abuse against young boys, however, percentage wise, there exists a considerable gap between the two sexes. Many of these devious criminals are everyday individuals who are difficult to recognize, as they are often very intelligent and cunning.
All of this brings us to Kimberly Cheryl’s Shattered Reality that recounts the story of how her thirteen-year old daughter Tivona was the victim of sexual molestation committed by her seventy-seven year old grand-uncle. And what is most shocking and repulsive is that the crime had been continuously committed over a period of three years since Tivona was ten years old. Appalling is the fact that the perpetrator succeeded in “grooming” his grand-niece to believe that it was their little secret and if she did tell anyone, no one would believe her. Furthermore, her parents wouldn’t love her and her family would fall apart because of her
We also discover that this apparently “nice and respected uncle” had a history of molesting children as far back as fifty years when he was twenty-four-a family secret that was kept under wraps and swept under the rug.
There is nothing worse than having to sit beside a child in pain and being unable to do little to help. Moreover, apart from the physical and psychological damage that is suffered, we also have, as pointed out in Shattered Reality, the inadequacies of our justice system that moves at a very slow pace, and furthermore it is a crime that no one is too eager to discuss. As the author states, “our justice system is failing us all. The system has a habit of dumping rape and child molestation cases.” Did you know that a very high percentage of rapists and child molesters walk the streets free while their victims have little choice than to pursue the perpetrators within the civil law system asking for compensation based on damages?
Offering interesting and informative insights, Shattered Reality is a practical guide and introduction into a crime that is a reminder of another repugnant peril at our doorstep that must be openly addressed. Kimberly Cheryl has a good grasp of the complexities of this subject and I fully concur with her that with low conviction rates, there is hardly any deterrence to stop this hideous crime. Consequently, it is crucial that we talk about it in order to protect our children and we must as much as possible educate ourselves as well as our children.
To help us, Shattered Reality includes a very helpful chapter that outlines the importance of early education and intervention. The book also includes a child sexual abuse fact sheet for parents, teachers, and other caregivers that have been developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). The fact sheet discusses child sexual abuse myths and facts, what can you do if your child discloses that she has been sexually abused, what is child sexual abuse and who is sexually abused and why don’t children tell about sexual abuse. In addition, there is an extensive list of resources that are listed with their online addresses. (review by Norm Goldman at Bookpleasures.com
Please help me spread the word of this incredible "silent epidemic" - we need to change our way of thinking and educate our children...not against strangers but against ANY ONE who does innapropriate things to them. The consequences are life long. I hope in some small way, our ordeal can help others. Thank you
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