Push for ‘Erin’s Law’ begins in Jacksonville

The first annual ‘Champions for Child Safety’ luncheon from the Monique Burr Foundation saw a series of people honored for their past work in protecting children from abuse of all types.

However, the main takeaway for many attendees after hearing keynote speaker Erin Merryn likely was a look at an approach to protecting children in the future.

Merryn grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and from early childhood she bore a burden that one in four young women bear:  sexual abuse.

Merryn told horrifying stories; not of “stranger danger,” but the most common background for abuse: namely, people who are close to the victims.

Her abuse began when she was six, at the home of a childhood friend whose uncle was a “caretaker.”

This abuse took her from being a “happy-go-lucky” kid to experiencing “fear and rage.”

At one point, her friend’s uncle locked her in a bedroom, as her friend was in the bathroom.

“Just weeks shy of my seventh birthday,” Merryn said, “this man raped me.”

Of course, he felt secure in his ability to do so, telling Merryn that the incident was “our little secret” and reminding her that he knew where she lived.

Merryn’s family moved soon afterward.

But her problems with abuse were just beginning.

At 11, an older cousin made her his prey, taking advantage of her at a sleepover, then during a game of hide-and-seek, locking her in basements and bedrooms, and taking advantage of her over a period of years.

“No one will believe you,” he said.

Eventually, the narrative changed.

Merryn’s own little sister said, out of the blue one day, that the cousin was “gross.”

At that point, Merryn knew that the cycle had been imposed on her sister.

The girls told their mother and father; as often happens, the perpetrator’s parents stood by their son.

And a once-close extended family fractured.

After some time had passed, Merryn had the courage to confront her attacker; the two exchanged emails.

Merryn articulated her rage and grief. And after a great deal of correspondence, her abuser asked for forgiveness, taking responsibility for what he had done.

“Forgiving him,” Merryn said, “opened up a new door of freedom.”

From there, Merryn “decided to do something” and made it her “mission” to get Erin’s Law passed.

The first state to enact it: her native Illinois. Twenty-seven other states have followed. Florida, as of yet, is not one of them.

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Erin’s Law mandates education for children in schools against abuse of all kinds — from sexual abuse to cyberbullying.

And, in what is not a coincidence, Jacksonville’s own Monique Burr Foundation offers meaningful educational programs to empower children with information and strategies that allow them to counter victimization that might be imposed upon them.

Local civic leader Ed Burr began the foundation almost two decades ago, in memory of his wife, who was a “passionate child advocate” when it came to fighting abuse of all types.

The foundation instituted a program called Child Safety Matters previously, and is now rolling out a companion program called Teen Safety Matters, that Burr hopes will be in middle schools throughout Florida and the rest of the country.

The TSM pilot program starts this coming spring in Duval County, and will roll out statewide (and perhaps nationally) next year.

Child Safety Matters is already national, Burr related.

For Merryn, the educational packages put out by the Monique Burr Foundation are one of the best she’s seen.

Merryn also noted a new federal law makes funding available to schools for a program like this, even in the states where Erin’s Law isn’t in effect.

And, as experience taught her, she knows this is needed. Kids who are being abused, Merryn said, end up manifesting behavioral and other problems that can lead to drug abuse and a life thwarted by victimization.

Merryn said, despite her efforts, she “so far hasn’t gotten any response” from Florida legislators.

Wednesday’s luncheon might change that.

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Two powerful state senators — Rob Bradley and Aaron Bean —  attended, both being honored as Champions of Child Safety.

Bradley called Merryn’s presentation “incredibly moving,” noting that even though Erin’s Law isn’t in place in Florida, there are similar educational initiatives in 58 of 67 Florida counties.

“Resources are there for every school to do this,” Bradley noted.

Will Erin’s Law be introduced to the Legislature for next session?

That remains to be seen.

However, if the entire Legislature had heard Merryn’s presentation, they may well pass the law by acclamation.