Lina Kennedy always knew that once she became successful, she would devote time and resources towards philanthropy. So she’s carefully chosen deeply personal, challenging, causes that will benefit financially from her support and gain exposure thanks to her media profile, renown, and commitment.
Lina uses her status as a childhood sexual abuse survivor to partner with local and national philanthropies to bring attention to this issue that too often flies under the radar of law enforcement, politicians, schools, and the general public.
“I think financial success brings a certain responsibility. After you fulfill your basic needs, you should be thinking, ‘How do I do some good with this?’ I think we all have a moral and ethical responsibility when we have the resources, financial or otherwise, to give back. I’m committed to empowering women and girls to find and secure economic/financial independence and freedom from physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.”’
While it’s true that no two people are alike, nearly all survivors of childhood sexual abuse repeat the same mantra: the experience forever changes you, leaving a wound (SCARS) that never fully heals.
The statistics on childhood sexual abuse are incomprehensible.
- One in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
- An estimated 80 percent of all sexual abuse goes unreported.
- Every nine minutes, child protective services substantiate or find evidence for a claim of child sexual abuse.
- About 93 percent of children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser.
- Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions, and at all levels of education.
Child sexual abuse can—and often does—affect a person’s psychological and physical well-being. The scars of that abuse often manifest in the form of stalled relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, self-harm, psychological problems, and risky behavior. What’s worse: Statistics show that childhood sexual abuse survivors are more likely to become victims of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse again in their lifetime.
Bottom line: Childhood sexual abuse is an underreported epidemic that we can no longer avoid.
Lina knows that healing from such trauma takes time. Survivors need the opportunity, control, and resources to heal at their own pace and on their terms. The healing process is as different as the victims and survivors. For some survivors, the healing involves years of counseling and therapy. For others, the journey includes the ability to stop and even prevent the potential for abuse against others through legal means by bringing those who commit these horrendous crimes to justice.
Lina’s mission is to provide hope, encouragement, and empowerment to childhood sexual abuse victims and survivors everywhere through education, advocacy, and support. Lina’s vision is a world free of childhood sexual assault and domestic violence. Lina’s vision is a world where every community is equipped with the knowledge and passion to help stop childhood sexual assault and domestic violence.
While childhood sexual abuse has grown to epidemic proportions, the good news is that 95 percent of abuse is preventable through education and awareness. However, getting the proper guidance and support can be challenging, and many children, parents, and caregivers have trouble navigating the vast landscape of services and resources. In addition, problems arise because sexually abused children and their families often need immediate help. Thus, it’s critical to provide the tools and resources to help support children who have been victims of sexual abuse.
Therefore Lina will always be in partnership with organizations such as BestSelf, Child & Family Services, and Gillian’s Place.
Finding out that a child is or has been the victim of sexual abuse is devastating. For parents, it may feel like their world is coming undone. However, it’s critical to remember that there is always hope, no matter how dire the circumstances.
Resources
Tools for Prevention, Healing, and Advocacy Against Childhood Sexual Abuse
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
What they offer: 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline, survivor stories, prevention education, statistics, and tools for finding local support.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
What they offer: CyberTipline to report online abuse/exploitation, child safety education, and support for families of missing children.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
What they offer: Trauma-informed resources for caregivers, educators, and professionals. Focused on helping children recover from traumatic experiences.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
What they offer: Research, statistics, toolkits, and campaigns focused on sexual violence prevention and support.
Darkness to Light
What they offer: Education and prevention training for adults on how to recognize and respond to child sexual abuse. Their "Stewards of Children" program is widely used.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
What they offer: 24/7 hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD) staffed with professional crisis counselors; multilingual services and referrals to local resources.
Stop It Now!
What they offer: Confidential Helpline, educational tools, and resources to prevent abuse before it happens. Empowers adults to act responsibly.
Little Warriors (Canada)
What they offer: Prevention programs, therapy services, and support for survivors of child sexual abuse.