Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse: Willful Blindness: What Parents Need to Know

Roar with Shari. . . All Things Justice for Women & Survivors

In this episode, I’m talking to child-on-child sexual abuse survivor, Adrianne Simeone, the founder of the non-profit, The Mama Bear Effect.

She calls our unwillingness to confront this issue head-on as “ Willful Blindness.”

“Child sexual abuse is not necessarily an epidemic because abusers are so effective at perpetrating, but because the taboo, and consequent discomfort and fear, hold protective adults back from being aware, effectively empowering children, and responding appropriately.”

Child on child sexual abuse as well as all child sexual abuse is one that parents, caregivers, and loved ones, just don’t want to deal with. And they don’t know how.

Adrianne works tirelessly educating parents, caregivers, pediatricians on behalf of children to prevent child sexual abuse. The Mama Bear Effect is a nonprofit whose mission is to change the way people think, talk, and respond to child sexual abuse. Adrian calls child sexual abuse, “The Silent Pandemic.”

About the issue of should I protect my children from the reality of child sexual abuse, Adrianne says, “ I am not going to shroud my children from this reality to somehow 'protect' them from the truth that the world isn't as safe and wonderful as we want it to be. I want them to know the truth so that when they have the power to do so, they can help make it better rather than turn a blind eye like so many do

Listeners Please Note:

Shari Karney, the host of Roar with Shari. . . All Things Justice for Women and Survivors is a survivor and a practicing attorney in California representing victims of child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.
Even though Shari Karney is a licensed practicing attorney in State of California practicing in the areas of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, this podcast is intended for informational purposes only, there is no expectation of confidentiality and is not intended nor should it be construed as legal advice. For legal advice you should seek competent legal counsel. If you’re interested in speaking to Karney’s law practice they can be reached at www.karneyadvocates.com
Please also note that Karney Law is owned by Shari Karney. Karney is the founder of Roar as One. Roar as One is a nonprofit, Karney Law is a law firm and they are otherwise unaffiliated.