To: The Maine State House, The Maine State Senate, and Governor Janet Mills
Give abused children a voice
Child victims of abuse are encouraged to see their abusers,regardless of how they feel,because they're too young to legally have a voice..
Why is this important?
My son,who is 6 years old,has been abused by his father..I am trying desperately to keep him safe..the court wants me to bring him,against his will to 2 supervised visits a week with his abuser,and wants me to ENCOURAGE contact..my son is afraid of his father,and is begging me not to take him..if I don't,I'm held in contempt of court..legally a child can't decide not to see his or her abuser until they are 13! We teach our children at a very young age the difference between right and wrong. We teach our children that if someone is hurting them,to speak up..then find out no one is listening? Making a child see their abuser is only furthering the trauma they have already experienced..please help to give these children the voices they need to feel safe..