Erin Merryn

Erin Merryn (born February 2, 1985) is an American writer and activist from Schaumburg, Illinois who advocates the prevention of child sexual abuse. Beginning in 2010,[1] she launched a campaign to pass a law that would mandate a sexual abuse prevention curriculum in schools, and has since seen it passed in several states.[2]

Biography

Merryn suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a male neighbor at ages six to eight[2] and from a teenage cousin at ages 11 to 13.[3] According to her personal account, she told her parents about the latter after her sister confided that she had also been abused by the same relative.[2] The family pressed charges, and the cousin eventually confessed to three counts of child sexual abuse. The case did not go to trial, resulting in the cousin receiving "some counseling, but no punishment".[3]

She graduated from Schaumburg High School in 2004[4] and earned a Bachelor's in Social Work from Western Illinois University in 2008.[5] She earned her Master's degree from Aurora University in social work.[3]

Activism

"I was not educated on not keeping secrets if someone was hurting me. My mission, through this legislation, is to educate children on what I never learned. I will not stop until children in all 50 states are protected from sexual abuse."

—Erin Merryn[6]

Merryn has since become a crusader for sexual abuse victims, and actively encourages others to speak out about their own survival.[1] She published her diary detailing her cousin's abuse and her own recovery, relapse and reconciliation in book form as Stolen Innocence in 2005.[7] In November 2009, she published a second book, Living For Today, discussing earlier abuse by her neighbor.

In 2010, she helped create Erin's Law, which "encourages schools to educate children about sexual abuse prevention".[1] Scott Berkowitz, president of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network RAINN, has publicly supported the law, saying, "I think teaching kids about sexual abuse is so crucial to preventing it and putting an end to it. Erin knows how damaging abuse can be. I think it's incredible that she's been able to take that and turn it into something so positive in a way that's going to help so many people."[2] Merryn states that she intends for the law to be passed nationwide, and as of June 2015 it has passed in 26 states and is pending in 17.

Published works

References

  1. 1 2 3 Zammett Ruddy, Erin. "Erin Merryn: The Guardian Angel". Glamour. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Bradley, Eric (March 3, 2013). "Advocate Erin Merryn brings campaign for education against child sex abuse to Long Beach". Press-Telegram. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 Cole, Wendy (November 29, 2010). "Erin's Law: When the Abuser Is No Stranger". People magazine. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Schaumburg High School Class of 2004.(Neighbor)". Daily Herald. Arlington Heights, IL. 2004-06-12. Senior Erin Merryn publishes first book "Stolen Innocence" .
  5. ↑ "Campus Close-Ups". Schaumburg Review. 2008-08-07. The following Schaumburg students at Western Illinois University have earned their degrees: ... Bachelor of Social Work;
  6. ↑ Valesky, David (April 24, 2013). "State Senate Passes Erin Merryn's Law Aimed at Child Sex Abuse Prevention". New York Senate. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Survivor Recalls Alleged Incest in Book". Good Morning America. ABC News. 2006-05-21.
  8. ↑ Jania, Rebecca (2005-10-10). "Standing up and speaking out". Western Courier. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011.
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