A Hero Among Us

Here’s the problem. Right now, at any given moment, there is a lucrative $150 billion-dollar enterprise made up of sellers, users and providers that is 100 percent criminal in nature and spiraling out of control. The commodity being sold? Young men and women.

Before you think, this could never happen to my child, please think again.

Sellers have access to minors who are on social media and they know that. They also know that we think “this could never happen to our children” so in essence, we’re leaving our kids to roam the wild west and global reach of the Internet on their own. All these sellers have to do is befriend whomever they wish and start chatting away. They are patient and will invest time to gain the trust of their prey. They have already shown to have successfully received millions of inappropriate photos or videos of minors from every town, city and state, and then turn those products into online sales. Even worse, in certain situations, some predators are able to get their physical hands on a minor, successfully removing them from their home and life. For those minors or young adults, within hours, they will be branded and sold to a ready list of buyers who take pleasure in exploiting them.

But who are the buyers? Everyday men and women. And they are getting away with it and it is beyond infuriating. So infuriating, in fact, that locally, groups like the Austin 20 and the Houston 20 are gathering the top 20 percent of philanthropists to study and invest in every possible measure to protect minors through education and victims through treatment centers.

But how do we stop this from even taking place? There is so much we need to do: focus on educating parents and minors and work to enhance punishments against users and sellers – but what about the Internet providers? They have gotten away completely unscathed.

Until now… This last year, we have started to take a hard look at the market, the place where the actual “point of sale” takes place: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and websites like Backpage. Until now, it’s been impossible to place any civil or criminal blame on these sites because legally, they are considered “hosts” who cannot be held legally liable for what third-parties post on their sites.

Local and federal legislators are fighting to change this but the technology attorneys and lobbyists (can you say Google?) have been too powerful to fight. They were a united front too difficult to crack. We needed a leader, a hero, and in came one: Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer, who just last week, voiced her support for a legislative move that closed the gap and is determined to crack down on the skyrocketing numbers of sex trafficking taking place through internet platforms.

“We all have a responsibility to do our part to fight this. That’s why we at Facebook support efforts to pass amended legislation in the House that would allow responsible companies to continue fighting sex trafficking while giving victims the chance to seek justice against companies that knowingly facilitate such abhorrent acts,” Sandberg wrote.

This comment, in one week, moved mountains!

Right now, House lawmakers are voting on FOSTA (Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act), which amends Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act – a provision that prevents technology companies from being held liable for content users post on their platforms. If FOSTA passes (as it’s currently written), it could hold tech companies liable for user generated content on its site, especially content that facilitates sex trafficking. So far, it has bi-partisan support but can it face the tech lobbyists?  With a powerhouse like Facebook now on the side of the minors and victims, the opening to the floodgates this movement has needed might finally be upon us. Additionally important, in just the last 24 hours, the White House has also endorsed FOSTA, further pushing it over the finish line. This is a truly historical moment!

So now what? We need you, our friends in the community, to follow this issue and make your voices heard. Our children live their lives online and place so much of their personal information, photos and videos in the hands of these technology mega-giants every single day. In my opinion, those tech companies must heed the responsibility and take any and all steps to protect their users, no matter what.

And parents, we must keep talking to our youth about safe connections, safe dialogue appropriate photos, and more. Parents, realize that where you live and who your child engages with online are two totally separate things. Your online connections come from all over the map and are people with many different intentions.

We must all work together to stop this incredible exploitation of children, all children. Please join the fight. And let’s thank Facebook and Sheryl Sandberg who also said:

“Facebook is committed to working with … with legislators in the House and Senate as the process moves forward to make sure we pass meaningful and strong legislation to stop sex trafficking.”

What a potentially historical moment! Join us all in working together to keep all children safe!

From the Federal Reserve to Houston Schools – A Look at Safety

About two years ago, I was asked to give a presentation at the Federal Reserve Bank in Houston. I remembered driving up to the facility and it was barricaded off in such a thoughtful way. Once inside, the security was overwhelming. I remembered the building had very few windows and before I started speaking, I learned more about the integral security measures that lined every inch of that facility. There was no way to get in and breach the system. There was no way to commit a burglary. Through very strategic efforts, crime was successfully kept at bay. It protected money and, my goodness, great amounts of money were invested to secure it.

But last week, by doing nothing more than taking a few steps, a monster gained full entry into a Florida high school, strategically pulled the fire alarm and relentlessly began shooting and killing precious student after precious student. Seventeen lives were taken and countless more were destroyed. Parents who said goodbye to their sons and daughters in the morning would never see them again. Quite honestly, the tragedy is too expansive to articulate; the loss too severe to sum up with words; the trauma, lasting well beyond these days, weeks and months.

As a nation, we watched in horror, we cried real tears and we began asking questions. How could this happen? Where did he get his weapons? Why did he do this? How did he gain entry into the school so easily? Was he truly mentally ill? But what about his strategy?

As students and parents marched, we immediately pleaded for gun control and stronger school safety measures. Everyone had a thought about what happened – deep, passionate thoughts –  and as a country, we began to argue about the safety of students at school, the structure of school buildings, whether assault rifles should be banned, mental health and, of course, politics.

We fought, we fought and we all fought again.

I sat and spent the last week taking it in, reading the stories, and thinking about solutions. One thing occurred to me: as passionate as we are all now, may I honestly ask: What were your thoughts about school safety the day before the massacre in Florida? Was it even on your radar?

For many, the answer is – no. And that’s okay. But for Crime Stoppers’ Safe School Program, it’s our number one priority 365 days a year. And it’s been that way since 1997. For more than 20 years, we have been studying school safety, every issue that poses a threat to our children, and offering solutions. Real solutions. This program is equipped to deal with:

  • A look at the physical structure of schools and safety weaknesses
  • All types of violence in and around campuses, including teen dating violence and more
  • Bullying and cyberbullying
  • Human trafficking
  • Drugs and alcohol including synthetic drugs
  • Terroristic threats
  • Mental health red flags and the nexus between mental health and crime
  • Missing minors
  • Active shooters
  • And so much more

To date, this program has reached well over 1,000,000 students in Houston and has helped law enforcement solve nearly 2,000 school cases and remove almost 300 weapons before they could be used against our students. It’s a powerful, powerful tool that we hope every school uses.

And it’s completely free.

We feel the broken hearts of those who lost their children, not just in Florida, but at Sandy Hook, Columbine, Virginia Tech, UT and more. We feel this pain. But we also know that there are so many risks that our children face on a daily basis that we must address, so we do so, accurately and productively.  We know that gun reform can take place today, but it doesn’t change the fact that there are still millions of guns in existence with thousands being bought and sold from person to person daily, and there are hundreds that are stolen daily. We need a multi-layered, multi-faceted approach that protects our children with the fullness of the picture in mind. The Crime Stoppers Safe School Program works toward that mission.

School safety may not be in your radar every day but I promise you, it is on ours. And while we wish we could snap our fingers and make every single school as secure as the Federal Reserve Bank, we know that that’s not possible. Still, our sincerest hope is that not one more child will lose his or her life for doing nothing more than showing up to school. And we promise to cover all the other issues in between, for the sake of your children and ours. Florida is a reminder that we can never stop working.

To learn more about the Crime Stoppers Free Safe School program, visit crime-stoppers.org or call 713-521-4600.

Horrors of Camp: What Parents are Failing to Ask and the Risks their Kids are Facing.

dreamstime m 21761262 Houston Crime Stoppers

It was a story KPRC broke that certainly got our attention – as well as the attention of parents all over the Houston area. In it, KPRC shared the terrifying story of a young Houston boy who was molested while at a popular Houston area summer camp. Following the story, we dove into what happened in Houston but also what is talking place across this country.

We were surprised to learn that camps are not regulated in the same way as daycares or schools. We were also shocked to learn that this is an issue that has hit nearly every single state across this county.

With that in mind, parents, as you make camp arrangements for your most valuable family members this coming summer, we ask you to please start asking questions.

What do you know about the camp?

  • The camp’s certification?
  • The level of training for their staff?
  • Their policy on camp counselor drinking or drugs on camp property?
  • Their efforts to ensure counselors who oversee swimming activities are life-guard certified? Or who oversee hunting activities can properly teach gun safety training?
  • Do they have policies regarding taking photos of your children and posting them on social media? Or even talking about your children on social media?
  • And most importantly, what plans are in place for children to properly make an outcry in the event of a tragic issue? Who oversees those outcries? The camp themselves or an outside agency?

There’s so much we need to be asking. To see the local story, click here:

https://www.click2houston.com/news/investigates/boy-sexually-abused-at-texas-camp

But also, to see what’s happening nationally, take a look at what we’ve found:

Molestation by Camp Counselors is a National Problem:

  • Alabama
  1. William Knott (48), Aleshia Moffett (42) and John David Young (55) at Alabama Boot Camp Saving Youth (2017) http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2017/02/religious_alabama_boot_camp_le.html
  • Alaska
  1. Eric Hafen at Camp Fire USA Alaska Youth Camp in Anchorage, Alaska (2010) http://innocentjustice.org/2010/former-camp-counselor-sentenced-for-child-porn/
  • Arizona
  1. Mark Johnstone (34) City of Peoria’s Summer Recreational Program (2008) http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/254206
  2. Douglas Cherry (18) at a Maricopa County summer camp as a camp counselor (2014) https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2014/10/22/buckeye-teen-accused-of-sexually-abusing-child-for-years/17746011/
  3. Christian Salvador Turcios (28) at Pheonix First Assembly of God and Highlands Church in Scottsdale as a church camp counselor and baby sitter (2014) https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/07/11/valley-church-camp-molestation-sentence-abrk/12524395/
  • Arkansas
  1. Coty Shawn Penter at Bethel Church Camp (2017)http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/jul/06/arkansas-youth-counselor-accused-beating-kids-swit/
  • California
  1. Evin “Devin” Blanchard (24) at YMCA in San Francisco 2016 http://abc7news.com/news/sf-ymca-counselor-arrested-on-charges-of-molesting-campers/1520124/
  2. Edgar Covarrubias-Padilla (29) at South Bay Science Camp For Kids (did not reference check), Walden West in Saratoga, and possibly YMCA http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/07/06/san-jose-camp-employee-molested-child-decade-before-latest-charges-parents-never-informed/ article about failing to check references – http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/06/15/molestation-suspect-exaggerated-job-history-south-bay-science-camp-for-kids-failed-to-reference-check/ article about amnesty granted to the DOCA counselor – http://dailycaller.com/2015/05/21/amnesty-granted-to-child-molesting-camp-counselor-known-as-papa-bear/
  3. Steven Michael Dolan at Walden West (article from 2015) http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/07/06/san-jose-camp-employee-molested-child-decade-before-latest-charges-parents-never-informed/
  4. Sean Justin Lee (23) at Boy Scout Camp in the Cedar Glen area (2015) http://alpenhornnews.com/cedar-glen-boy-scout-camp-counselor-arrested-for-child-molestation-p7805-172.htm
  5. Richard Guinto (32) at summer camps in San Jose. He was convicted on 87 counts! (2017) http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/01/13/former-richmond-teacher-found-guilty-on-87-counts-related-to-child-molestation/
  6. Scott Durzo (49) at Scott Durzo’s Total Sports Camp (2005-2009) http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sports-camp-owner-charged-20140509-story.html
  7. Ronald Chad Williams (37) at San Marcos Christian Camp (Crimes occurred in 2005 sentenced in 2015) https://www.independent.com/news/2016/mar/24/christian-camp-molester-gets-three-years-prison/
  8. Nicholas Lhermine (22) at Morgan Hill YMCA Camp, YMCA Paradise Valley Elementary Child Care Center (2013)  https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/More-Victims-Accuse-Summer-Camp-Counselor-of-Sexual-Abuse-216594041.html
  • Colorado
  1. Ian Walker (24) at Beaver Creek Youth Camp (2013) http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/Former-Camp-Counselor-In-Court-On-Sex-Assault-Charges-191196701.html
  2. Tristan Horton (21) at Camp Verde (2017) https://www.cvbugle.com/news/2017/jan/26/camp-verde-man-charged-child-molestation/
  • Connecticut
  1. Jason Betensky (27) arrested in Connecticut because of obscene photos taken at a North Caroline camp http://articles.courant.com/2011-11-17/news/hc-counselor-porn-1118-20111117_1_camp-counselor-jason-betensky-summer-camp
  2. Yasmina Doty, Emily Simmons and Kylie Bivrell-Walsh at Monroe’s MBC Olayground Camp Counselors (2008) http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Suit-filed-in-Monroe-camp-sex-photos-case-219007.php
  • Delaware
  1. Scott Feiner (18) at French Woods Performing Arts Camp in Hancock, Delaware (2015)http://www.thedailystar.com/news/local_news/camp-counselor-faces-sex-charge/article_9cfbd9fe-be4c-50ff-80c7-c7f01f984dc4.html
  • Florida
  1. Jarrett Clifton, Rose Patton James and Kemon O’Brien all abused child with autism at Gulf Point Recreational Center (2017) http://www.pnj.com/story/news/crime/2017/03/24/two-camp-counselors-arraigned-child-abuse-case/99592404/
  2. Michael Nathan Jones (25) at Forest Hills Elementary School Camp (2016) http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-counselor-molestation-plea-20160718-story.html
  3. Nathan Gorzelanczyk (31) at various facilities (2016)https://www.clickorlando.com/news/new-victims-come-forward-in-case-of-volusia-youth-counselor-accused-of-molesting-boy
  4. Sean Douglas Stern (35) at Belton Christian Youth Center soccer camps in several locations of Florida (2016) http://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_940f7252-a0ff-11e6-97a0-3b31ecda8e4c.html
  5. Sylvester Peronne (19) at United Camp 2015 church camp in Broward, Florida (2016) http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article60991072.html
  • Georgia
  1. Edward Spencer A CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER at Southern Christian Leadership Council’s Summer Slam Summer Camp (2016 article) http://savannahnow.com/2010-01-16/sex-offender-working-savannah-summer-camp-sentenced
  2. Zachary Scott Anderle (21) at a Woodland Christian Camp and Retreat Center in Temple, Georgia (2013) http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2013-07-13/tenn-camp-counselor-held-sex-charges-ga
  • Hawaii – N/A
  • Idaho
  1. Kevin G. Sloniker (30) at Immaculate Conception Church in Post Falls, Idaho (2015)http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/oct/26/coeur-dalene-man-jailed-on-1-million-bond-suspecte/  and  https://www.cathinfo.com/sspx-resistance-news/sspx-camp-counselor-arrested-for-raping-boys-in-post-falls-id/
  • Illinois
  1. Cherie Carlson (abuse occurred in 1996 – 1997 but reported in 2013) at Camp Awana https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/20/cherie-carlson-camp-counselor-sex-abuse_n_4480820.html
  • Indiana
  1. 7 year old camper physically, sexually, and mentally abused an 8 year old camper at a summer camp hosted by Camel-Clay Parks and Recreation (2017)https://nypost.com/2017/10/03/mother-city-ignored-sex-abuse-of-my-daughter-at-summer-camp/
  2. Zachary Didierymca at Camp Tecumseh (2015) http://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/31/former-camp-tecumseh-counselor-faces-child-molesting-charge-tippecanoe-county/32428683/
  3. Purdue University’s Camp Dash closed due to complaints from campers including attempted rape, sexual assault, voyeurism and distribution of child pornography. (2017)http://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2017/07/25/parents-startled-reported-sex-crimes-purdue-summer-camp/508144001/
  • Iowa
  1. Sean Brandt (32) Camp Rock in Redington, Iowa (2017) http://kneb.com/regional-news/former-church-camp-youth-counselor-convicted-in-iowa-sex-assault-case/
  • Kansas
  1. Counselor from England (18) at Camp Wood YMCA in Chase County, Kansas (2016) http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article75336702.html
  • Kentucky
  1. Unnamed counselor at Camp Victory in Somerset, Kentucky (2010)http://www.topix.com/forum/city/somerset-ky/T76RUDTD91HRG4700/re-local-baptist-camp-being-sued
  2. Ricky Harris III drowned at Transylvania University Camp in Fayette County, Kentucky (2014) https://www.crockerfirm.com/lawyer/2014/09/25/Personal-Injury/Negligence-Claimed-in-Drowning-of-Thirteen-Year-Old-at-Kentucky-Summer-Camp_bl15587.htm
  • Louisiana
  1. Mike Latham (46), camp director of Harris Baptist Conference and Retreat Center, in northwest Louisiana (2012) https://baptistnews.com/article/camp-director-convicted-of-sex-crime-once-worked-at-glorieta/#.WnP43KinEuU
  2. Heather Daughdrill (28) of Westlake, Louisiana at unnamed summer Bible school camp. (2011) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2068149/Heather-Daughdrill-bible-school-teacher-28-sex-boy-13-taught-Christian-summer-camp.html
  • Maine
  1. Zach Tomaselli (23) at unnamed Maine summer camp (2011) https://www.pressherald.com/2011/12/06/accuser-admits-molesting-boy-at-maine-camp_2011-12-06/ and http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/zach_tomaselli_says_hes_never.html
  2. Michael Newton (58) at unidentified camp in Casco, Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses (2005)  http://www.sunjournal.com/camp-counselor-gets-sex-charge/ and http://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Camp-counselor-assaults-teen-11903097.php
  • Maryland
  1. John Luis Casumbal Valenzuela (43) at Holton-Arms Creative Summer Camp (2015)https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Bethesda-Camp-Counselor-Charged-for-Abusing-11-Year-Old-Camper-313399601.html  and https://www.google.com/search?ei=LTJzWsz2IeuatgXL4YigAQ&q=1.%09John+Luis+Casumbal+Valenzuela+&oq=1.%09John+Luis+Casumbal+Valenzuela+&gs_l=psy-ab.3…24044.26571.0.28420.1.1.0.0.0.0.68.68.1.1.0….0…1c.1j2.64.psy-ab..0.0.0….0.fYJuFwwxc8A
  2. Steven Krawatsky at unnamed Frederick County camp (2018)https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/maryland/articles/2018-02-01/maryland-rabbi-accused-of-sex-abuse-sues-parents-of-accusers
  • Massachusetts
  1. Richard Perkins Smith (65) at Cape Cod Summer Camp (2013)  http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/ex-episcopal-academy-teacher-camp-counselor-jailed-for-child-sexual/article_1c853203-cf30-5560-b997-e9dd7bebf91f.html
  2. Charles R. Devita at Camp Good News (several decades) – also the camp Sen. Scott Brown attended. Devita committed suicide when being investigated http://abcnews.go.com/US/body-found-camp-sen-scott-brown-alleged-molested/story?id=13309513
  • Michigan
  1. Matthew Kuppe (22) at Jewish Community Center Camp. (2017) https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/2017-04-11/camp-counselor-gets-10-years-in-prison-for-child-porn
  2. William Nealy at Cran-Hill Ranch near Big Rapids, Michigan (2016) http://woodtv.com/2016/02/29/ex-camp-counselor-sentenced-for-sex-crime/
  • Minnesota
  1. Scott F. Fortier (37) at Circle R Ranch Camp (2017) http://www.startribune.com/charges-onetime-minnesota-camp-counselor-sexually-assault-2-teen-girls/409645035/ and http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/04/14/scott-fortier-child-porn-indictment/
  2. William Allan Jacobs molested boys over an 18 year period. His employers knew of his sexually deviant behavior, but he was allowed to continue:  The headmaster at Breck School urged parents to keep the matter private; he was allowed to continue molesting after YMCA recommended he be treated at a facility due to ‘pedophilic tendencies”; the Blake School felt he could safely work with children as long as he wasn’t sleeping in the same room with them.  Unbelievable! (2010)   http://www.twincities.com/2010/05/07/a-history-of-molestation-and-inaction/
  • Mississippi
  1. John Edward Ellis (17) at CC Ranch in Madison, Mississippi (2016) http://www.wdam.com/story/32742282/madison-17-year-old-charged-with-sexual-battery
  • Missouri
  1. Peter Newman, camp director, at Kanakuk Camps (2013) http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/kanakuk-camp-wants-to-be-national-model-for-stopping-sex/article_87f0cab8-48f0-5d07-9555-8c796e3cee41.html
  2. Lee J. Bradberry(22) at Kanakuk Camps (2011) http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/former-kanakuk-kamps-counselor-accused-of-sex-crimes-arrested-in-alabama/69349202
  3. Robert Lall (26) at St. Peter’s Rec Center and Camp Gator in Lake St. Louis (2016) http://www.wfsb.com/story/32211095/former-gym-attendant-camp-counselor-charged-with-sending-teen-lewd-images
  • Montana
  1. Kendle Burgos (15) at Camp Life Light in Great Falls, Montana (2017) http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2017/02/09/boy-admits-sexually-assaulting-girls-rescue-mission-camp/97718888/
  • Nebraska
  1. Wrestler was sodomized at a summer camp while several watched. The incident was covered up by the school district.  Victim was called a” liar and rumor spreader.”  (2012)    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/07/nebraska-school-officials-accused-covering-up-sexual-abuse.html
  • Nevada – N/A
  • New Hampshire    
  1. Kirstie Beard (25) at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, New Hampshire (2016) https://patch.com/new-hampshire/concord-nh/nh-youth-counselor-faces-child-sexual-assault-gun-sale-other-charges-court
  • New Jersey
  1. William Esker (22) at unnamed camp (2017) http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2017/12/bayonne_camp_counselor_had_sex_with_14-year-old_ca.html
  2. 16 year old counselor (name withheld) at a Neil Klatskin Day Camp at Kaplen JCC (2014) https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Kaplen-JCC-Tenafly-Teen-Sex-Assault-New-Jersey-Bergen-County-271351741.html and http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/14/counselor-16-accused-of-molesting-6-year-old-boys-at-tenafly-day-camp/
  3. Robert Dion Fayte Williams (24) at Hardwick YMCA Camp (2005)http://www.njherald.com/article/20050929/ARTICLE/309299945#//
  • New Mexico – N/A
  • New York
  1. Jay Marcello (25) at Kewal Day Camp in Melville (2017) http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/04/25/long-island-camp-couselor-arrested/
  2. Keith Meyn (34) also at Kewel Day Camp on 112 counts of sex crimes involving children(2016)  http://pix11.com/2016/10/26/long-island-camp-employee-charged-with-112-counts-of-sex-crimes-involving-children/
  3. David Greenburg (37) also at Camp Kenwall (2017)http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/10/17/camp-counselor-sex-abuse/
  4. Nicholas Maroney (20) at YMCA Genesse/Camp Hough (2017) Incident also involved alcohol http://wivb.com/2017/08/08/camp-counselor-arrested-again-charged-with-sex-crime/
  • North Carolina
  1. Historic Latta Plantation Summer Camp (2017) http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/sexual-assault-on-minor-investigated-at-huntersville-summer-camp/450807825
  2. Jason Betensky (27) at unnamed camp (2011) http://articles.courant.com/2011-01-26/news/hc-porn-blackmail-0127-20110126_1_camp-counselor-campers-jason-betensky
  3. Tristan Russell at Providence Day School Summer Camp (2011) http://www.wsoctv.com/news/former-camp-counselor-sentenced-to-13-years-for-ch/223045513
  • North Dakota
  1. Sean Kovalevicnh (28) at unnamed summer church camp in Belcourt, North Dakota (2014) http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/crime-and-courts/2346778-former-camp-counselor-gets-30-years-sex-14-year-old-grand-forks
  • Ohio
  1. Christopher Faulhaver (19) at Skyview Ranch in Millersburg (2017)http://people.com/crime/ohio-camp-counselor-accused-sex-abuse-boys/
  • Oklahoma
  1. Benjamin Lawrence Petty (36) at Falls Creek Church Camp in Davis, Oklahoma in 2018 http://abc13.com/man-avoids-jail-after-raping-girl-at-camp;-blindness-cited-as-factor/3012641/
  • Oregon
  1. Rohan Cordy (28) at YMCA Camp at Silver Falls (2016) http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2017/02/camp_counselor_and_second-grad.html
  • Pennsylvania
  1. Chisdai Ben-Porath (20) at Camp Dora Golding (2007) Camp Owner covered up the abuse!
  2. Zachary M. Lee (24) at Hazleton Enlarged Ministry United Methodist Church Camp (2016) https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/19/camp-counselor-abuse/9285385/  and http://standardspeaker.com/news/former-camp-counselor-arrested-for-child-molestation-1.2059579
  3. Joshua Farell (20) at CampMen-o-Lan in Quakertown, PA (2009) https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Police-Camp-Counselor-Had-Sex-with-Boys.html
  4. Unnamed 13 year old was caught sexually abusing a 5 year old (2015); caught again sexually abusing a special needs camper at YMCA’s Camp Spirit of York and York County (2016) http://abc27.com/2016/03/03/york-ymca-sued-after-alleged-sexual-abuse-at-summer-camp/
  • Rhode Island
  1. Richard Lee (28) at MacColl Field YMCA (2011) http://turnto10.com/archive/former-ymca-employee-faces-child-molestation-charges
  2. Dana Waters described as a serial child molester http://wpri.com/2016/02/15/molestation-victims-mother-outraged-as-inmate-appears-to-seek-romance-online/ and http://wpri.com/2016/12/01/serial-child-molester-released-from-prison/
  • South Carolina
  1. Louis Neal “Skip” Reville (pled guilty in 2012 but molested boys for years) originally molested boys at The Citadel and then continuing at numerous other schools and churches.  The Citadel covered up his sex abuse allowing him to potentially molest hundreds of boyshttps://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/skip-reville-was-unstoppable-until-a-mother-found-him-out/Content?oid=4094572   and https://www.postandcourier.com/archives/two-new-lawsuits-say-the-citadel-covered-up-skip-reville/article_b064ce6a-4fb6-5429-97cf-4dadefcf74d1.html and http://www.live5news.com/story/27444245/two-new-lawsuits-filed-against-louis-skip-reville
  2. Kevin DeRossett (26) at Alive Wesleyan Church Vacation Bible School Camp in Central, South Carolina (2012) http://www.wafb.com/story/19167508/police-bible-camp-counselor-exposed-himself-to-girl
  • South Dakota
  1. Isaac ilkei B. Swan (29) at Thunderhead Church Camp (2004) http://www.bhpioneer.com/camp-director-arrested-for-child-molestation/article_173883ae-7e0f-5806-bece-7c54365b7ff0.html
  • Tennessee
  1. Zachary Schott Anderle (21) at Woodlands Christian Camp and Retreat Center (2013) http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/22835778/the-vineyard-church-releases-statement-on-jailed-camp-counselor
  • Texas
  1. Matthew Bovee (20) at Camp la Junta (2009) https://www.click2houston.com/news/houston-family-sues-texas-summer-camp-after-sexual-assault
  2. Scott A. Zirus at Camp Stewart (2009) http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Two-more-settlements-reached-in-summer-camp-4891172.php
  • Utah
  1. Keldon Severn Cook at Especially for Youth LDS Camp in Davis County, Utah (2015)   http://kutv.com/news/local/efy-counselor-arrested-for-sex-with-teen
  2. Samuel Olsen (18) and Jordan Corliss (18) at Camp Tuttle while working as counselors for the Foundation for Children and Youth with Diabetes in Big Cottownwood Canyon, Utah  (2011)http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=52913120&itype=CMSID
  • Vermont
  1. The Aloha Foundation summer camps for boys and girls on Lake Morey (1983, 1987, looking for more victims – article written in 2017)https://bangordailynews.com/2017/10/27/news/vermont-summer-camps-say-former-counselor-inappropriately-touched-campers/
  • Virginia
  1. Michael Snaders-Price Jr.(26) at Camp Moss Hollow (2016) http://www.wbaltv.com/article/camp-counselor-accused-of-inappropriate-behavior-with-minors/7095120 and https://wtop.com/virginia/2016/04/young-sex-abuse-victims-testimony-helps-convict-va-camp-counselor/
  2. Tarelle Robinson at Camp Jacob (2011) http://wavy.com/2014/09/11/camp-counselor-sentenced-for-sex-abuse-of-teen/
  3. 3 teenage counselors( names not released due to age) at 4-H camp near Smith Mountain Lake (2003) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/abuse-charged-at-4-h-summer-camp/
  • Washington
  1. Adair Krack at First Baptist Church Bible Camp in Hoquiam (2016) http://www.thedailyworld.com/news/hoquiam-pastor-convicted-of-child-molestation-sentencing-scheduled-for-june-9/
  2. 14 year old counselor in training molested a 9 year old attending a summer day camp (2013)http://www.kiro7.com/news/teen-counselor-training-arrested-molestation-9-yea/246122003
  • West Virginia
  1. Maqsood Harrington (28) at J.B. Chambers YMCA inElm Grove, West Virginia (2015)  http://wtov9.com/news/local/former-area-coach-facing-charges-for-sex-crimes-against-student
  • Wisconsin
  1. Eric Toth at Camp Nebagamon on 10 Most Wanted List (2012) http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Man_Accused_of_Child_Porn_in_Wisconsin_Makes_Ten_Most_Wanted_147092085.html
  • Wyoming
  1. William ”Bill” Bricker (93) arrested after decades of working at a summer camp in Jackson , Wyoming (2012)  https://crewjanci.com/former-scout-leader-and-retired-pe-teacher-bill-bricker-arrested-on-child-sex-abuse-charges/

Famous Child Molestation Victims

Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown molested at summer camp by summer camp counselor. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/sen-scott-brown-reveals-sexual-abuse/story?id=12934336

Sugar Ray Leonard molested by Olympic boxing coach. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-sugar-ray-leonard-claims-sexual-abuse-by-olympic-coach-2286082.html

Michael Reagan at after-school day camp.  http://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/02/us/reagan-s-son-tells-of-abuse-as-a-youth-by-man-at-camp.html

Articles of Interest:

Flaws in backgrounds check system allowed a pedophile to work at a prestigious camp in Main because counselors that are teenagers and/or foreign citizen’s criminal records aren’t part of an FBI federal database of criminal information.  Has this changed?? http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/camp_counselor_child_sex_case_exposes_flaws_in_background_check_system/

Summer camps and pedophiles  http://dreamcatchersforabusedchildren.com/summer-camps-and-pedophiles/

Camp does not notify parents of son’s camp counselor being accused of a sex offense – should a new law include the state notifying and updating camp families of sex abuse at their camp??  https://theestablishment.co/nobody-told-me-my-sons-camp-counselor-was-accused-of-a-sex-offense-c546a5e496b8

Camp counselors appear to be the least regulated and least studied of all the J-1 subcategories.   http://globalworkers.org/v-camp-counselors

Child sexual abuse is a greater risk to kids than cancer or car accidents http://www.wlox.com/story/16106530/possible-reasons-behind-flurry-of-child-sexual-abuse-cases?clienttype=printable

If your camp is not accredited by the American Camp Association than you do not know if the camp is doing background checks on counselors  http://fox42kptm.com/news/local/summer-camp-safety-what-most-parents-dont-know

Pedophiles chat online about taking jobs as camp counselors http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/21/technology/21pedo.html

When Georgia Smiled – The Must-Know App

I’m sitting at a hair salon and am taken by the women who come in and go out – all with smiles on their faces and exciting weekend plans. In the background, I can’t help but focus on the fashion shows in the waiting area. As model after model walks across the platform, I think about their lives and what they’ve endured to get where they are; but I also think about the growing power they have and the new workplace safeguards in place.

My mind goes to the recent headlines, of all the celebrity women and athletes who have finally broken through and pushed the #MeToo movement. Their powerful voices have moved mountains and we are thankful to them. And then I think of the recent political stories and the political wives who have allegedly been abused for years and are now saying #NoMore. With news media following their every move and communities rallying behind them, we stand behind their pleas for safety and their call to action.

It all reminds me that in a blink of an eye, technology and social media have given us a platform for outcry that supersedes all other avenues we used to have. But that said, this morning, I can’t help but think about another group of women . . . women who are so engulfed in their abuse that they can hashtag all they want, outcry all they want but who know that nothing in their lives will change.

These women have no social media followers, no cameras and no media tracking their every word. On the contrary, one wrong outcry for them means more abuse at home. In addition to them, I think about all those teens who are so broken that today, right now, they are actively taking steps to walk into what will be an abusive relationship just so they have “a” relationship to call their own.

What about all those women? I don’t want us to forget them. So, this week, I want to remind myself and all of us about what’s currently available as well as new technology that they must know of to stay safe.

  • Keep talking: It’s important to keep talking about healthy relationships as well as the signs of abusive relationships. Just because the topic is mainstream, it doesn’t mean that the average mom, in the average city, has been saved. Read more on healthy relationships.
  • Continue listening: Those suffering from abusive or controlling relationships give signs – they may be verbal or physical or social, but they are there. We must continue listening. Read more on signs of abuse.
  • Learn about options: Let’s not forget what the options are for battered and abused women. In order to get help, they must have a thought-out, very strategic plan in place which includes money saved, a place to go (including friends, family, a new apartment or home or shelter) – measures in place to protect their whereabouts, plans for children and animals and so much more. Learn more here.
  • Study changes in technology: There is technology being introduced to help battered women. An app I have really grown to like is called When Georgia Smiled. This incredible app is downloaded on your phone under the name “The Aspire News App” and was recently voted one of the two “best apps for domestic violence prevention.” On its face, the app contains Yahoo! Powered summaries of top stories in news, sports and entertainment. In reality, this potentially life-saving app exists so that with a touch of a button, victims of abuse can secretly ping others for help.
  • Share stories with our youth: It is critical to share stories with our youth so that they can learn from those ahead of them. Talk about how abuse can happen in relationships at home or the workplace, in an age-appropriate manner. Share the signs and remind them that no matter what, they always have a voice and options to get help.

As we witness this unique time in women’s history, we applaud and are so thankful to those who always had a platform and are now using it. My sincerest hope and concern remains, however, with those who endure abuse in a life very much lived under the radar. It is for them that I write and hope that we will continue to use our voice, learn the signs and share the technology that can save them. Please join me and share with those in your lives.

Protecting the Innocent – Recent Sexual Assault of 2-year-old Leaves Us All Asking Questions

There are stories that move you, make you laugh or make you angry. This latest case brought with it emotions I can’t quite put into a category. You most likely saw the headlines and stopped in shock just like I did: 2-year-old girl allegedly filmed in sex act by family members in Montgomery County.

Some things you just have to read twice to make sure you saw them correctly the first time.

But this was no mistake, we didn’t misread the heading and now, two adults are in custody after they committed aggravated sexual assault of the 2-year-old girl in their care. Not only did the mother sexually assault her little girl, but the abuse was filmed with the hopes of selling the footage on the dark web.

I’m honestly left shaking my head. I really am… What can we say as a community when we learn about such horrific behavior? What do you say about parents who would do this to their ownchild? What do you say about adults who would do this to any child? What about those who find pleasure in watching the abuse of a child? What can we say? And how do we gain control of a dark web that has grown into an incontrollable beast fueled by the ability to film anything, share anything, and sell anything or anyone, online?

I don’t know about you but I’m left feeling speechless but filled with emotion, frustrated but determined, angry yet focused. In my limited power, I will do anything and everything possible to support any and all efforts to stop this type of abuse from taking place and to protect our most vulnerable members of society. And many of you are joining this effort to protect children (from a whole host of abuses) including Jennifer Hohman, Donae Chramosta, John Clark, Gabriela Gerhart, Monica Mehta and so many others…

But we have an uphill battle. Look at the numbers:

  • Search engines get 116,000 queries every single day related to child pornography
  • Individual cases of child pornography have taken over mainstream headlines. In 2017, former Glee star Mark Salling plead guilty to possession of child pornography when he admitted he possessed more than 50,000 sexual images of prepubescent children. More than 50,000 images… Just a few days ago, Salling committed suicide.
  • Searches for “teen pornography” more than tripled between 2005-2013, reaching an estimated daily inquiry search of 500,000 by March 2013. That number has only continued to increase in the months and years that followed.
  • The online pornographic industry makes over $3,000 per second with a new film being created every 39 minutes.
  • There are roughly 25 million images reviewed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children annually, an estimated 480,769 images per week.
  • Research by the Canadian Center for Child Protection found that 78.30 percent of videos involved children under 12; 63.40 percent of the videos showed children under 8 years of age. In over 80 percent of the videos, the victim was female, in nearly 20 percent, the victim was male.

So now what? What steps can we take to protect as many children as possible?

  • Hold the websites that allow these images accountable.
  • Change legislation that protects any carrier of sexually abusive content.
  • Change legislation and increase the punishment these predators face.
  • Make sure our judges and criminal justice system have a no-tolerance approach when it comes to these abusers. Where leniency can be given, it should not be given.
  • Be observant when dealing with all children, looking for any signs of abuse and immediately reporting when suspicions arise.
  • Teach children of all ages, in an age-appropriate manner, to speak up for themselves as often as possible to a trusted adult.
  • Remind children that abuse is never their fault and they never deserved it or did anything to instigate it.

If you or someone you know might have a problem viewing these images, please take a moment to visit StopItNow.org.

Each weekend I look forward to my time with you and the opportunity to share insights and stories. I know this case would make you as concerned as it made me. Working together, with eyes aware of what’s going on, we might be able to put a dent in the fight against the exploitation of children. I really believe we can.

Last week, I echoed the question asked by Rachael Denhollander as she gave her victim impact statement in the Larry Nassar trial: “How much is a little girl worth?” I said it then and believe it with even more conviction – these girls and boys are worth everything. Our desire to protect can and will outweigh the sexually charged appetite to exploit them but we must work together.