Opinion Piece: Our children need the protection S.B. 29 promises

Letter to the editor, published in The News Journal, April 2, 2007

As a nationally certified child development counselor in public schools for 15 years, I have first hand knowledge of the negative effects of sexual abuse on a child’s self-worth.

The sexually abused children who work with counselors have the opportunity to regain their self-esteem, but not all children who are victims of sexual abuse have had this opportunity.

Children often do not reveal instances of abuse for various reasons, including fear of retaliation or the fear of not being believed. Consequently, many adults who had their innocence stolen in childhood by a sexual predator have suppressed the painful memories of the abuse.

These victims deserve the opportunity to seek justice whenever the memory surfaces. The Delaware legislature should pass S.B. 29 to afford the victims of sexual abuse the opportunity they need for healing.

Susan Whitcraft, Elkton, MD