Stewards of Children is an evidence-informed, award-winning two-hour
training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to
child sexual abuse. Through interviews with child sexual abuse survivors,
experts, and treatment providers, Stewards of Children® teaches adults
practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse
in their organizations, families, and communities.
Trainings will not be held during the month of December 2023, but will resume January 2024.Â
*Trainings will be held in-person
If you have questions regarding the trainings or would like to request a group training, contact Lacey Elliott at lelliott@cacjc.org or at 541-734-5437
By Tammi Pitzen, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County
Have any of you been following the R Kelly sexual abuse scandal? I have to say that even though I have heard a lot of things in my career some of this is just down right unbelievable. But I somehow believe it!
Let’s look at what has been reported.
In 2002 R Kelly was arrested on 21 counts of child pornography. In a report he is quoted as saying in an interview “There’s things that people have done in their lives that they regret, and I’m no different,” he told MTV News last month. “I’m a human being, and I want people to know that I’m no angel here, but I’m no monster either. I’m no guy that would do this.” In this case he was acquitted. His attorney in that case later said he believed his client was guilty.Â
Fast forward to 2019. He uses language like “I beat my case in 2002 and you can’t double-jeopardy me like that”. If you were innocent would you say I beat my case or would you say I was innocent and that was proven? In this same interview he blames his victims’ parents saying they sold their daughters to me.Â
So far I am not convinced he is innocent. So far I am convinced based on his language and his words that he is guilty. I haven’t even read the allegations until today. I am solely basing my opinion based on the very words he used in his interview on national TV.
In his interview, he is doing what many sex offenders do. He is minimizing his criminal behavior. He is laying blame for his behavior on others. He is of course trying to convince us all that he is no monster, therefore he could not be guilty. He is playing the victim in all of this. He is trying to convince us how utterly incredulous it would be for him to hold anyone captive…to sexually abuse anyone. He is R Kelly after all. Why would he have to? Well. The answer to that last one is that he wouldn’t have to at all. But that does not answer whether or not he did.
R Kelly is not even someone we can say is very nice. He has to make a lot of money but chose not to pay his child support. His ex-wife says he was domestically violent with her. He married Aaliya when she was 15 and he was 27.
All the information above was gathered out of listening to R Kelly’s own words and the words of those who were or are close to him. None of it is from the victim’s voice. And to be clear…I do understand that anyone can say anything and that does not make it true. However, the sheer number of voices in this case certainly has to mean something.Â
The victim’s stories are similar. R Kelly was controlling. They were underage when their “relationship” started.   They would sometimes be locked in a room. Some say he would video record their sexual acts. Others used words like submitted to having sex with him. He would control who they were allowed to speak with. As I sifted through their stories, they all rang true to me.Â
Some would be put off by the similarities, but for me that seems right. Sexual predators have routines…have modus operandi if you will. Some traits that are common for sexual offenders include, but are not limited to: engaging in sexual contact with children or adolescents, having sexual contact with others against their will or without consent, humiliation of others, inflicting pain on others, participating in or watching acts of physical aggression or violence, “thinking errors”, and isolating their victims.Â
Thinking errors in this particular reference refer to things that sex offenders say to themselves and to others to justify their actions. (Example: I didn’t mean to sexual abuse her, but she came on to me — she forced me to do it — and the her/she referenced is six years-old at the time.)
I wonder what makes this time around different from 2002. I wonder if this time will have different outcomes for R Kelly. I worry that there will be no accountability and this will turn into fodder for a Saturday Night Live shtick. I worry for the young lady that is currently residing with him and out of contact with her family. What will happen to her? What will be the long term outcomes for her if he is found guilty? Or found not guilty? I wonder about the many witnesses along the way that did not intervene or those that tried. What are the outcomes for them?Â
I wonder where we go from here. Where do the victims go from here? Will what happens next help them start healing or will it destroy them and their futures?Â
I wonder what messages our children are receiving as this unfolds. I wonder what messages future victims are hearing. Are they messages that will support them coming forward and reporting? Or will they accept their abuse as fate?
We don’t need to be powerless.Â
We can safely intervene by reporting what we suspect when we suspect to the authorities. When someone discloses abuse to us, we can tell them we believe them. We can take a class through the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County’s Protect Our Children program and learn how to recognize and respond to sexual abuse. We can support the work of organizations like the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County by being a financial supporter or volunteering our time. We can speak out and step out in support of child abuse victims. We can demand accountability for offenders of child abuse.Â
Or we can join the silence that infiltrates the underworld that is child sexual abuse.
By Tammi Pitzen, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County
As I sat down to write this blog, I sort of hit a mental block about what I wanted to talk about. Not something that happens to me frequently. Ask my husband and he will tell you I am a woman of many words. I am not speechless often.Â
I feel like this blog has always been a place that was politics free and I want to keep it that way. So I am trying to choose my words carefully. There is a lot that is happening in politics and on the national platform in regards to a subject matter that is connected to my life’s work. Sexual assault.
Okay. I put the words out there.
Let me start by saying what this blog will not be about. It will not be about whether or not to believe the current accusations that have been displayed at the national level. There are tons of commentary out there about that. I doubt there is one original new thought that could be floated out there. It will not be about whether or not a certain person should be confirmed on the Supreme Court or not. That matter has been settled. It will not be about whether my son is at risk for accusations of sexual assault in the future. It will not be about the Me Too movement or the Him Too Movement. It will not be about the trauma that has been caused to victims….both those who have disclosed and those who have yet to disclose their abuse….in recent weeks by candor on both sides of the aisle.
THIS blog is about celebrating a moment in time that many would have laid odds would never happen in our lifetime.Â
THIS blog is about celebrating a shattering of the silence.Â
THIS blog is about letting go of the shame that has enveloped victims of sexual assault since the beginning of time.
No matter what your political or religious beliefs are, or what your view points or judgements about how a victim should act or report….you have to admit that the discussion of sexual assault and support of victims has never been so open, so public, so impactful, so front and center before.Â
For the first time in my recollection, the discussion has shifted from victims should never talk about it—should not report it — to a discussion about how and when they should report it. Maybe a more appropriate word is judgement. BUT my POINT is that WE are talking about it at every level. We are hashing out what our beliefs and values about the subject of sexual assault are. WE are talking about what should be acceptable.Â
For a woman who has always been a “glass half full” kind of a girl, this is progress. I hear many of my friends and read many Facebook posts about how depressed and distressed they are about political agendas and the fate of sexual assault victims and how women are treated.Â
And in the midst of it all, I find myself hopeful. Yes. Hopeful.Â
Women and men alike are admitting that, no matter what was decided through the “Women’s Suffrage Movement”, men and women are not treated equally and do not live a life of equality. Women may be closer to equal pay. They have fought and earned many rights that were “birth given” to men like the right to vote. Statistically speaking, women have to work harder, longer, and more consistently for leadership positions in the work force–most of the time. All of this is old news.Â
But one thing that is now becoming more apparent is how women have to be vigilant about their personal safety.  I doubt my mother ever told my brother to never leave with a girl without a dime, in case he got in trouble and needed to call from a payphone. (I am aware I am very much dating myself here, but let’s go with it.)Â
I would bet that most men do not pay attention to where the lighted parking spots are in relation to the security cameras and the main doors when parking anywhere. I say most. There would be some who do.Â
I wonder how many men have practiced how to hold their keys in their hand should they need to use it as a weapon. I wonder how many men pause when coming out of the Mall to watch their vehicle a bit before heading out to get in.
I wonder how many men ponder whether or not it is safe to get in the elevator when there is only one other person on it.Â
I won’t belabor this point much more except to say that now I have had, heard about or eavesdropped on many discussions about the differences in how most men and women live their life. I call that progress.Â
I call that hopeful.
Never in history has sexual assault been the topic on the national platform for as long, with as much emotion, and with as much detail as it has in recent months.Â
I call that hopeful.
I cannot recall in my lifetime ever having so many unite in support of victims of sexual assault. I cannot recall in my lifetime so many people vested in justice before.Â
I call that hopeful.
We have reached a tipping point. A saturation of awareness. Do I feel like we have much more to go? More progress to be made? Absolutely. Do I recognize there is still way too much judgement of how a victim is supposed to act? Of course.
But today. Right now. I am feeling hopeful. Hopeful that this is the start of something big. Hopeful that there will come a point in time where we can agree that there is no shame for the victim of sexual assault. Â
A time when we agree that no matter what you wear….no matter how much you drink… no matter if you stay out past midnight….no matter what anyone does…. none of it is consent unless you both wholeheartedly say yes to sexual contact. There is no implied consent. And even if we can’t agree on that….we are at least having discussions about why we disagree in order to better understand what is reality.
We should all be able to agree that in recent history no one really talked about, did as much research into, reported about, or thought about sexual assault for as long or in as much detail. Â
This moment in time is historic. It is hopeful. It is a beginning.Â
By Tammi Pitzen, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County
I am sitting in my office this morning blasting music before everyone gets here. This is not unusual. I tend to get here before staff and before things get too hectic to plan out my day and to get as much done prior to the busyness of the day starts.
It is during these precious minutes in the sort of quiet of my morning that I am able to focus on the mission of the CAC.
 I am able to hear the silence of the abused children in our community.Â
The month of April is always a poignant reflection on the work that we do because it is “our” month (Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness and Sexual Assault Awareness Month).  In 2016 there were 872 abused children in our community, according to the latest version of the Child Welfare Data Book. I find that number astounding.Â
But what bothers me even more are the children that remain silent. It actually scares me a little.Â
According to some statistics we know that about 30% of child sexual abuse goes undisclosed and unreported.Â
I have been working in this field for 28 years. I started in my twenties. My first job was with a rural child protection agency in Louisiana. I was literally hired before I graduated. During finals week I drove home for an interview on a Saturday. I started work the day after my graduation ceremony because I needed to have my diploma in order to begin with the State.Â
I went back and began working in the community where I graduated high school. The population of the parish seat was under 8,000 and the parish was around 50,000. These were “my people” as we would say in the South. I either knew them, knew of them, knew their aunt, their sister, their brother or graduated with their cousin. Seriously.
I had no idea what I was walking into. I had no idea the heartache I would feel when assigned a report that involved someone that I went to high school with. It was a military town, so mostly I prayed to get a report involving the families on post.
In retrospect this was the best thing that could have happened to build the best foundation for what turned out to be my life’s work. I learned some key skills that I am recognizing many in the field have not developed.Â
I learned humility. I learned compassion. I learned empathy. I also learned the art of persuasion. This was sometimes the only tool available to get you off the front porch facing a very angry father, who held a gun in his hand, and to the kitchen table, with a glass of sweet tea in front of you. Let me clarify. The gun was never pointed at me and, truth be told, this only happened to me once. These people…my people…were those I grew up with. They were people, in some cases, that were adults that I respected.Â
I can almost pinpoint when I developed these skills. There was a legislative change in my state and all unfounded reports had to be expunged from all records. The pay for a caseworker in Louisiana at that time was pretty low. This was an opportunity to make some overtime, so many of us would come in on the weekends and work on expunging records.Â
During that process, I came across many records of people I went to school with. When I realized how many of the kids I went to school and church with that were reported as victims of abuse, my childhood played back in my mind in slow motion, in segments. I could literally remember moments when I was “judging” kids I knew as being lazy because they slept in class or bad because they were always lashing out at people.Â
Those overtime hours were hard. I spent a lot of time in self-reflection. I can say that I always tried to be nice to everyone, so I didn’t feel like I had to redeem myself in anyway, but it was a pivotal moment in my life.Â
Since that time, I have had others who were more than classmates, they were/are friends, tell me about their history of abuse. It reminds me that these children who are abused in our community are not unknown to us. The 872 abused children in Jackson County are part of us. They are “our people”.Â
As April comes to an end I want to challenge each of you to continue to do something…to do one thing a day, a week, a month, or at least a year to help address child abuse.Â
It is a community problem. We have to work together. It is the only way to make a change. I invite you to call me or to contact us through our website or our Facebook Page if you are unsure what your one thing could be.
By Leah Howell, Training Coordinator for the Protect Our Children Project of the Children’s Advocacy Center
I’m not much of a country music fan, though I lived 30 minutes from Nashville throughout my college years, and for sometime afterward. Even now, 20 years later, I will read about a country musician, that will bring me back to my life there. The Ryman Auditorium always catches my attention. An old, beautiful, former church-turned performance hall. I’ll admit, I’ve only stepped into the Ryman one time. If my memory serves, I only got as far as the entryway. I still have regrets about not going to see some of the great performers that have graced its stage. But recently my attention was caught for a totally different reason.Â
Once again, a famous person broke his silence.
“You come up here and get to sing one song, and you go, what the hell you gonna sing?” said (Vince) Gill, 60,… “I think that the greatest way to live is to welcome the moment that you’re in and the time frame that you’re in. I chose this song that I wrote some years ago, and never really knew where the song came from, other than… We’re living in a time right now when finally people are having the courage to kind of speak out about being abused. And I think that is beyond healthy, and beyond beautiful, to see people finally have a voice for being wronged. And maybe this song came from a personal experience for me.
I was in seventh grade, and a young, dumb kid,” he continued. “And I had a gym teacher that acted inappropriately towards me and was trying to do things that I didn’t know what the hell was going on. And I was just fortunate that I got up and I ran. I just jumped up and I ran. I don’t know why. And I don’t think I ever told anybody my whole life. But maybe what’s been going on has given me a little bit of courage to speak out, too. I’m going to sing you this song that was inspired by all the people that are…” He let the thought trail off as he began picking out the introductory licks, but the cultural moment didn’t require much elaboration. (Variety, Feb 9th, 2018)
It takes a lot of courage to be on stage and share something so traumatic with an auditorium full of people. It causes me to think about the bravery of so many men and women in Hollywood and beyond who recently came forward, having been violated, intimidated and physically threatened by those in power. I feel my heart ache to think of all of the young gymnasts who suffered in silence (and some who weren’t silent) in the hands of a “well-respected” physician. I think of all of the women who endured being drugged and raped only to watch a comedian and sitcom actor become rich and famous as a “decent family man.”Â
I think of all the men and women and boys and girls who see these stories, and wish they had the courage to tell.Â
Because of the prevalence of these experiences, we know there are many, many people suffering with corrosive secrets. Secrets they may be afraid to tell for fear they hear an echo of those words swimming in their head – the words that tell them it was their fault. Blaming is language innocent victims know too well.
Many of you reading this post have never personally dealt with these issues, and may feel ill-equipped to handle discussions and disclosures with such deeply personal implications. But I would encourage you to consider changing your approach. Instead of using the usual tactics of shutting down the conversation or avoiding it altogether, take steps to become more comfortable and open. For starters, attend one of our Protect our Children-Stewards of Children training sessions. It will increase your comfort level, give you some tools to use as you participate in discussions, teach you how to respond to disclosures of abuse, and outline what specific actions to take if that disclosure comes from a child.
We all bear the responsibility to end this violence. Let’s find our voice.
By Tammi Pitzen, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County
This is an Olympic year. I mean that quite literally. This year athletes will compete in the Winter Olympics. The very best of the best in just about every sporting event you can think of. Recently my son and I were learning all about Curling. I know. It is such a random sport. I don’t even really remember how we stumbled upon it, but we both sat mesmerized by the competition that we were watching on TV. So much in fact, that my son talked me into letting him stay up another 30 minutes so we could watch the end.
I have always loved the Olympics. Maybe because I am not athletic by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe because the athletes represent all that is good in our world. Maybe it is the competitiveness that I don’t feel, but am fascinated by when I see it in others. Maybe it is the pride when the American flag is raised and the National Anthem is played when our athletes are standing in the spotlight. Maybe it is the endurance, sacrifice and discipline that is displayed by each athlete.
The last couple of weeks we have learned about the sexual abuse that plagued the USA Gymnastics Program.Â
It is always so heartbreaking to learn of the legacy that child sex offenders leave behind in the forms of wounded souls. In this case a doctor, Larry Nassar, was convicted of sexually abusing female athletes in the USA Gymnastics Program.  Wikipedia defines Dr. Larry Nassar as a convicted serial child molester.Â
He had 250 known victims. How many are unknown?Â
He was a doctor. I trust my son’s pediatrician…as in…to me any word she utters is gold. I have sought advice from her concerning my son’s behavior. I have looked to her to show me the path to good nutrition and good health for my son. I have looked to her for his healing when he has been ill. Every single time she has exceeded my expectations. One of the reasons is that she is a wonderful person who has mad healing skills. But really, one of the big reasons is that I am welcome to be in the room with my son when she examines him. She takes time to tell him what she is doing and why she is doing it. She educates him about safety and body safety. It isn’t because she knows what I do in my “real world” job either. She does this with all her patients and I suspect has since the beginning of her practice.
I cannot imagine the heartbreak these young athletes feel by the betrayal. The trauma of the abuse is one thing, but that is compounded by the fact that it was perpetrated by someone who was so respected in their world and who was supposed to have their safety and emotional well-being as his number one priority.
I happened to be in my car on one of the days of the sentencing and caught many of the victim impact statements that were read on one of the news radio stations. It was heart wrenching. In many cases it was years ago, but their healing could not start until their voice was heard.Â
The Judge in this case was criticized by some of the Bench. I think she was amazing. She allowed time for each and every victim who cared to come forward to read their truth to the world. She held Larry Nassar accountable. She held him accountable when he wrote her a letter saying that it was mental cruelty to make him hear all the victims read their statements.  She held him accountable when he used language like “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”.  This Judge is a class act. She has told the media she will not make statements because it is no longer her story. It isn’t about her. She will not talk to media without a survivor present.Â
These young women are showing our daughters that you can tell. You can find safety. If you are sexually abused, it is not your fault.Â
Boys too! It just happens to be that this man preyed on women who were young and vulnerable. I am hopeful there will never be another Dr. Larry Nassar allowed to create a legacy of tears. I am hopeful that other agencies that employ people who have influence over and contact with children, no matter what the venue, will look at their rules and policies and assess the risk of abuse presented to the children they work with.Â
We are all responsible. We should learn. We should honor the endurance, the sacrifice and defiance of these women athletes breaking the silence.
By Tammi Pitzen, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County
Have you picked up a paper lately and there not be a story about someone coming out and stepping forward to tell about their abuse history?
Almost daily there is a breaking news story about a child actor or actress being sexually assaulted or harassed. Some of it a long time ago. Some of it not so long ago. I have watched and read in fascination.
Has it happened? Have we reached the tipping point? Have we reached a time where we have created a safe environment for those who have been abused to tell their story? Or is it those who have been abused demanding safety for those who come behind them and face the same situations…whether it be on a casting couch, in the locker room or at home?
I think Taylor Swift started a revolution. Maybe it is coincidental, but I have said in the past that her actions had the potential to change the world. Maybe they have.
There are those who would say that everyone coming forward are in it for the money. Can we think about this logically for a minute? ACES, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, tells us that children who experience trauma have a high incidence of substance abuse, eating disorders, suicide, cancer, diabetes, mental health issues, and many other diagnoses that span over their lifetime. This is research. This is evidence based.
Keeping that in mind, let’s look at Corey Haim. He died young. He had substance abuse issues throughout his life. And there was public speculation regarding his sexual abuse as a young person by authority figures in Hollywood. You could say the same thing regarding Corey Feldman. Or the Michael Jackson’s accusers–the list is endless.
Before you discount the validity of any of the people coming forward today with disclosures, educate yourself about what the dynamics of child sexual abuse are. In the case of those who this happened to as adults, learn about the dynamics of power and control in sexual assault. Rape is not a crime about sexual pleasure in many cases. It is about power and control and humiliation. It is about aggression.
I am not naive enough to think that every single person who is coming forward and making accusations is telling the complete truth. But I do know that, statistically speaking, more allegations are true than are not true.
Why do we work so hard to disprove the accuser and believe the accused?
I also know that liking someone or admiring someone or idolizing someone does not equal their innocence as an offender. Who do we think commits these crimes? They are our friends, our heroes, our family, our bosses, our employees, our ministers, and our teachers…just think about the statistics. One in ten children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. 70% of all sexual assaults happen to children age 17 and younger. And 90% to 95% of those abused know their abusers.
We have some momentum going on at the national level. How do we keep it going? How do we get it started on a local level? How do we continue to create a safe space for child sexual abuse victims to come forward?
We start by doing one thing.
Would you join me and do one thing to support an abused child? What will be your one thing? Will you make a report? Will you believe a child? Will you make a donation to support the Children’s Advocacy Center’s efforts to help abused children begin to heal? Will you volunteer some time at the Children’s Advocacy Center? Will you create a safe space for a child to come forward?
Will you be courageous and believe them when they do?
For more information about the CAC’s Do One Thing That Matters campaign and view the full list of things you can do that matter to an abused child, visit:Â http://cacjc.org/do-one-thing-that-matters-2018/
By Tammi Pitzen, Executive Director of The Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County
Last month Taylor Swift was awarded one dollar in a law suit against D.J. David Mueller.
If you do not know the story, here is the short version. A few years ago, Taylor Swift was in Denver at a Meet ‘N Greet and David Mueller grabbed her bare butt under her skirt. Her mother later reported it to his employers and they fired him. He then sued for defamation and lost. Taylor Swift counter sued him for sexual assault for 1 dollar and won.
I will be honest that I was never a big fan of Taylor Swift. I liked “Shake It Off” as much as the next guy I guess. It was a catchy tune. If you would have asked me a month ago if I thought she was a good role model for our daughters, I probably would have said, “no”. You can google her and a long string of articles involving boyfriend drama come up.
On August 15, 2017 that changed. I would tell you now that I am thankful for her courage. I am thankful she made a statement when she could have made it about money.
I would even go so far as to say that parents should use this “incident” as a teaching moment for our sons as well as our daughters.
She went to trial when she could have remained silent. This young lady did not back down when the defense attorney tried to place blame on her. She stood proudly and stood firm. She CALLED the OFFENDER out!  She clearly and firmly stated, “I’m not going to allow you or your client to say I am to blame.” In my head, this statement is followed by the court room spectators doing the wave!
She received a dollar as her judgement. This move has silenced the would-be naysayers who would claim this was about money. It was about more than money. It was about sending a message.
I think Taylor Swift has changed the conversation and here are the reasons why I think so…
1)     By stepping out of the shadows, she has literally just shown the world that you can be a victim of sexual assault, tell your story and be believed. This move will send a message to young teenage girls struggling…to full grown adult women…to the famous and the never known…that there is hope and safety available out there. Heck! Let’s hope the message crosses the gender line and brings hope to all people who have suffered abuse.
2)    I do not know at what point it became accepted that men had the right to grope a woman. Somehow the message has been sent that if you are a pretty young girl with a great body, you are asking for someone to touch you and that if they do, it is okay. You should not be so fit or so pretty. Taylor Swift has shown that you can be pretty. You can be successful. AND has boldly reminded the world that it is not okay to grab someone who does not want to be grabbed. Anywhere. Much less on their bare bottom. Boys will be boys is no longer tolerated.
3)    You can be 27 and change the world. Your voice matters. You can change the conversation.
4)    No matter how much she was pressured, led, or blamed…she held firm and redirected the responsibility back on the offender.
5)    The conversation changed when it was not about money. I guess I don’t have a problem if it had been about money. If you are abused, no amount of money is going to change that it happened, but it can give you the resources to recover. But by taking money out of the equation, those who always go there…have no reason to. When I say “go there”…you know what I am talking about…she is only trying to make a buck. She is only trying to ruin his life, his career. She is only trying to bankrupt the poor guy.
He ruined his life and career by making poor choices. She did not bankrupt him. She did not profit in any way from this except to gain an almost 50-year-old woman living in Medford Oregon as a fan.
By Theresa Hart, Development Director for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County
In March, we created three stories of children who have received services in our Medical Department for our Caring for Kids Campaign. These stories were based on real life experiences of children who had received services in our Medical Department. The details of their experiences were altered to protect their identities.
“Jayden’s” story touched me very deeply.
“Jayden” suffered sexual abuse by her mother’s boyfriend. She and her mother were brought to the Children’s Advocacy Center after her mother found her 13-year-old daughter inconsolable upon her return home.
After disclosing the abuse at the Center, Jayden was brought to our Medical Department where she received a head to toe evaluation. Additionally, our in-house pediatrician administered a test for sexually transmitted infections and a pregnancy test. When she left the Center that day, Jayden carried with her a quilt and the assurance that she was healthy and that her body would be okay. Jayden is receiving therapy at the Center and her mother is in treatment for substance abuse.
Jayden was fortunate to have come to the Children’s Advocacy Center where she could receive our specialized medical services, tell the story of her abuse and receive therapy in one child-focused center.
There are many children who have experienced abuse and neglect in the Rogue Valley. The CAC is the only place of its kind In Jackson County. Last year, Jayden was the recipient of one of the more than 200 medical services performed by our Medical Department.
Jayden suffered the kind of abuse we don’t like to talk about.
But here’s the thing, child abuse is a community problem, and it requires a community response. CAC’s partners were involved throughout her story, from law enforcement, DHS, community members, businesses, and other local organizations. The quilt Jayden took home was made by a local church group.
Community members and businesses can partner with us during the Caring for Kids Campaign to support our Medical Department services. These donations go to pay medical staff salaries, equipment, and supplies.
We are recruiting a nurse practitioner to perform additional medical evaluations and services to extend our Medical Department hours to 40 per week. Now more than ever we need community partnerships and support to help us continue our work with abused children.
There’s still time to partner with us during the Caring for Kids campaign. The deadline to make a donation is June 30. To make a difference in a life of other child victims, send your donation to 816 W. 10th Street, Medford, OR 97501.
Recently we all watched as the Bill Cosby trial came to an end in a mistrial. It seems so hard to understand how this could happen when he admitted to giving drugs to the victim so that he could have sex with her. For those of us immersed in this work, that admission is a huge red flag for so many different reasons, but the one that stands out the most is that we all know that if someone is intoxicated or heavily under the influence or otherwise rendered incapacitated then they are unable to consent to sexual activity. I have a guest blogger today writing about this case…when I read her blog it rings true and I wanted to share it with you. Katie Wilson is a 23 year old California native who is pursuing a path in journalism by sharing her truth through her own blog. (Tammi Pitzen, CAC Executive Director)
Allegations of Cosby’s alleged sexual misconduct first came to light in November of 2014. Since then there have been more than 50 women who have come forward, and claimed to have been a victim of Cosby’s misconduct. According to these women Cosby would drug them, usually in their drinks, or in regular pill form offered as a pain reliever. The women then claim they woke up groggily some time later in bed either during or after the rape occurred. When news first broke there were thirteen women who were anonymously going to testify against Cosby, being called the “Jane Does.” As time went on, some of these women felt comfortable coming forward and identifying themselves to share more of their story, as to help other victims who were afraid, or ashamed to come forward. The women stated they wanted to help and wanted to come together in support, in a way that those of us who have never been through such a tragedy can not.
There were opinions from all sides as Cosby maintained his innocence. Quite a lot of people didn’t want to believe that the comedian who had always been portrayed as a family man/father figure was capable of committing such acts. Others trying to belittle the claims, or find ways to defend the seventy-nine year old’s actions. Claiming that the women wanted to have relations with him, and defending all of his choices, many believing the defenses that he began stating in an attempt to maintain his own innocence. Then there were the radical feminists calling for a hulk sized take-down of a man who had lived a life so vile.
On June 12 the trial against Cosby for the rape of Andrea Constand began. Despite numerous evidence that this is not a singular occurrence, and something that Cosby is all but admitted to; i.e. Jokes in a segment about spiking women’s drinks to get them to have sex with him; the jury was somehow not able to reach a verdict after more than fifty-two hours of deliberating. This causing Judge Steven O’Neil to declare the case a mistrial. While prosecutors have vowed to retry Cosby in the one hundred and twenty day period in which they have to do so, this mistrial is very important for our society today. We live in a world where only three hundred and ten out of a thousand assault cases are even reported. In those three hundred, only fifty seven will lead to an arrest according to records. Of those an even smaller portion will face trial with reportedly only six out of the three hundred actually facing any sort of criminal charge. With statistics like these victims who already feel embarrassment, shame, guilt, or regret have a hard time finding a reason to make themselves relive all of the trauma they have been through, countless times in order to maybe, possibly, find justice if they’re part of that one percent.
When a trial takes over a media firestorm and someone with mass popularity and nationwide love no longer is safe from justice; someone who is widely known and loved has to stand up and face his crimes, then women everywhere begin to see a light of hope. A hope for a nation that will not tell them that it is their fault they were assaulted. A nation that doesn’t tell a woman to cover up but a man to respect her no matter what. A world in where three months in prison and a slap on the wrist is never an okay punishment for rape. But suddenly then there’s a mistrial. Because despite the evidence our society doesn’t want to believe that there can be this kind of ugliness. That despite the hurt and the pain we would rather hide it away and cover it up.
This mistrial shows women that no matter how loud you scream and shout, no matter how hard you fight someone is always going to think you’re making it up. This mistrial shows that while we have made bold leaps in the last hundred years for equality we still have a very long way to go. Until women feel safe walking the street and standing in their truth, until we can get comfortable revealing the ugly hidden beneath our country, and bringing it to light we can not claim to be America the Beautiful.
