A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER

                                                      CLAIRE R. REEVES C.C.D.C.

Child sexual abuse is the greatest hidden epidemic in America and yet very little is being done to stop it.  Children are not being believed nor are the parents or guardians who are trying to protect their children.  Thousands of calls annually have come into the office of MOTHERS AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE, MASA, from parents who simply do not know what to do when they learn that their child has been a victim of child sexual abuse.  Many professionals are not informed either and the lack of education in the family courts is scandalous. 

The goal of this website is to educate parents, professionals and others who are concerned about the welfare of children.  It is the culmination of almost ten years of very difficult work.  We have tried to make the website a one-stop resource library addressing every aspect of child sexual abuse.  Many of the most esteemed professionals in the United States have contributed articles in their area of expertise regarding the sexual victimization of children.  My deepest gratitude goes out to these dedicated professionals who have given so liberally of their time and support.  Thank you so much.

A very special thank you goes to the heads of organizations that have contributed articles and support for this enormous project.  Thank you Randy Burton with Justice For Children, Elize T. St. Charles with Our Children Our Future Charitable Foundation, Patricia Hope with The Hope For Children Foundation, and Debbie Mahoney with Safeguarding Our Children – United Mothers.     

Thank you Teri James, my dear friend and colleague of many years, who flew to North Carolina from Wichita to help paginate the mountain of articles and put them on disk.  Anette Powell, founding executive board member, was also invaluable for her insight and advice in making this website a reality.  In fact, the website was her “brain child”.  Last but not least, our deepest appreciation goes to the wonderful donor who wishes to remain anonymous who provided the funding for this project.

We would also like to recognize the many organizations that have been forced to close their doors due to lack of funding.  Without your early efforts and dedication child sexual abuse would still be back in the closet.  You were the pioneers and your courage and tenacity must be recognized.

Each and every person must become a voice for the children.  We owe them no less than safety and the opportunity to grow up healthy and whole.  Please join us in our quest to protect them.  IT SHOULD NOT HURT TO BE A CHILD.        

Claire R. Reeves, C.C.D.C.

President/Founder

Chief Executive Officer

IT IS TIME TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN

Unintentionally, America is a very anti-child nation.  Although 192 nations have

ratified the enlightened UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, only Somalia and

the U.S.A. have failed to ratify it.  While over 80 nations in the world specifically

protect children in their national constitutions, the U.S. Constitution does not.  Ironically,

several national organizations that profess to be children’s advocates are the opponents,

or worse, neutralists on the issue of children’s rights.  Until children are people in the

constitutional sense, they will always be treated as property by our justice system.

While waiting for our constitution to grow up and add children, there are three things we 

can do:

1.      Restructure our child protection agencies so that there is always

one side that presents the child’s perspective exclusive of adult

considerations.

              2.    Develop a system of national certification for judges and lawyers

concerning children.  They must be trained, educated, and free of

values and bias against children, or for adults.  Physicians must be

certified to perform and specialty practice, why not judges and lawyers?

            3.      Visit this Website.

                                                           Judge Charles D. Gill

                                                           Connecticut Superior Court

Co-Founder of the National Task Force for Children’s Constitutional Rights, Inc.