The details that emerged in a recent court case involving an adult man and a 12-year-old girl highlight a deeply troubling issue: the blaming of a child in situations where adults should be responsible.
As a survivor of sexual abuse by my stepfather, the idea that a child could be held accountable for an adult’s behavior strikes a deep chord with me. When children or survivors feel unheard or believe speaking up won’t matter, they often stay silent. I have faced that same challenge in my own life – the temptation to remain silent. But after holding the red carpet premiere of the film “Still Hope,” I was reminded through the courage of other survivors that speaking up matters. It helps break the cycle that allows abusers to harm children and avoid accountability.
This issue goes far beyond one case. In the United States, the CDC reported that about one in four girls and one in six boys experience child sexual abuse before age 18, and most victims are harmed by someone they know. Shifting responsibility onto a child reinforces the silence and fear that allow abuse to continue.
At my nonprofit, Be Heartfelt, we work alongside these efforts every day. Our mission goes beyond providing support – we help every child be seen, valued, and recognized for who they are, not defined by their circumstances. We walk with them through challenges, celebrate their strengths, and help restore the dignity and hope that abuse and lack of resources can take away. Every action we take is rooted in the knowledge that children deserve more than survival – they deserve to thrive.
I am speaking up today and encouraging others to do the same. Sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking are increasing worldwide, and the dangerous narrative of excusing adults who harm children must be challenged. Let’s applaud the courage of survivors and refuse to accept a world where they are not supported or heard. Healing is difficult, and while I know God heals the hurting, we must honor that process and help restore what has been taken from them.
Lori Marble is the CEO and founder of Be Heartfelt