It’s Time to Do More for Wanda | Kathryn Robb

At the Democratic National Convention we learned about a girl named Wanda.

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke in her acceptance speech about the issue of child sexual abuse and how it was instrumental in her desire to fight for justice and become a prosecutor. She told a story about her high school best friend, Wanda, and how her friend found the courage as a teenager to come forward about being sexually abused by a family member in her home. This was the first time ever that the ugly issue of child sexual abuse made its way into a presidential acceptance speech.

Thousands of child advocates across the country know about Wanda, too. And so do the estimated 39 million Americans alive today who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.

Research warns us that without serious policies to prevent child sexual abuse and hold abusers accountable, an estimated 10% of all children could experience some form of sexual misconduct or abuse before their 18th birthday. Many will suffer the traumatic and often lifelong physical, emotional and social consequences.

Raising awareness of the issue in a nationally televised political speech is long overdue. But as we know, the power of words—whether in a campaign speech, by corporate leaders, or promises from lawmakers—is hollow without real action. Wanda’s story cannot die after the applause of an impassioned acceptance speech and the conclusion of a presidential national

convention. Without the power of intentional action, Wanda’s message will fade. Real change must occur at every level of our civil society, from national and state government leaders to concerned parents and citizens in every community.

So what can we do?

Prosecuting child abuse has been our default response for decades, but it is woefully inadequate. Studies show that the vast majority of victims never report their abuse to the police. What’s more, prosecuting child abuse is extremely difficult. Overall, fewer than 20% are prosecuted, and only half of those result in a conviction. Other limitations include the higher burden of proof, the unlikelihood of prosecuting institutions that enable abuse through their inaction, and current statutes of limitations. Pairing criminal justice responses with proven public health strategies offers the best promise for addressing the silence, shame, and denial of child abuse and ending the epidemic. Here are some actions we should all support:

Pass state laws requiring schools and youth organizations to educate their employees and students about child sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior that, if left unchecked, could lead to illegal sex crimes. Recent research indicates that 12% of children report having had inappropriate sexual contact with an adult at school sometime between kindergarten and high school.^and This is up from the 10% reported twenty years earlier in a U.S. Department of Education report.
Adopt comprehensive codes of conduct that outline specific behaviors that should be prohibited in schools and youth organizations. This would be a major step in identifying and stopping sexual misconduct early before it escalates to rape.
Implement stricter screening practices to reduce the likelihood of hiring individuals who pose a sexual threat to our children, and ban the practice known as “passing the trash.” Use nondisclosure agreements to cover up employee sexual misconduct, force employees to resign, and help them find jobs at other schools.
Eliminate statutes of limitations and introduce laws that allow for the recusal of crimes so that victims can seek justice in court and abusers can be held accountable for their sex crimes against children.
Enact strong federal laws to protect children and young people from online sexual exploitation by abusers and social media platforms whose policies and practices enable such exploitation.
Establish an executive office and a Cabinet to advise the President on how to effectively respond to this national crisis.

Convention delegates, politicians, supporters, and the press have now left Chicago. The stage has been dismantled and the floor has been swept of badges, flags, and “freedom” signs. The task of all caring citizens now is to remember Wanda and the millions of wounded Wandas she represents. In them we must see our own children and those in our extended families, in our schools, on our playing fields, on our playgrounds who depend on us for their safety and protection.

As Kamala Harris recently stated during the campaign: “Nothing is more important than how we choose to keep ourselves, our families and each other safe… People have a fundamental right to feel safe on their streets and in their homes.”

We would like to emphasize that children have a fundamental right to be safe from the trauma and devastating effects of sexual abuse wherever they live, learn, pray and play.

Thank you, Madam Vice President, for giving Wanda and the children she speaks for a voice. As caring citizens, it is now our job to pick up the megaphone, amplify their voices, and work to end the pain, shame, and denial of child sexual abuse. It is time to declare, “Enough Abuse!” and mean it.

In the words of former First Lady Michelle Obama, we must “do something” about this epidemic of child sexual abuse. Doing something starts at the top. We hear you, Madam Vice President.

Now, like you did for Wanda, do something for all children.