Justice for Maryland Survivors
Through the Hidden Predator Act of 2021, Maryland is poised to make great strides toward justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, their healing, the prevention of future abuse, and the ability to hold accountable individual perpetrators and institutions that might have facilitated them.
Statistics show that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 13 boys will experience child sexual abuse before reaching adulthood. We have learned through research that the adverse experiences we face in childhood (ACEs) change the structure and function of our brains and have lasting individual and societal impacts into adulthood. The trauma associated with childhood sexual abuse too often leads to PTSD, alcohol and opioid abuse, depression, suicide, and education and employment hurdles. The impact is felt by all of us. According to the CDC, the economic burden of child sexual abuse is over $9 billion annually.
Collectively, we are saying enough is enough. Those who sexually abuse children, and the institutions that protect abusers, must be held accountable. Survivors deserve access to justice, and Maryland can and must do better to provide it. We urge each of you to consider how you might lend your support to this statewide effort and to visit www.Justice4MDsurvivors.org to find more information to get involved.
Harrity & Harrity
Harrity’s Mission is to promote and nurture a respectful, highly engaged, family friendly, and inclusive culture that values the diversity of our talented team with diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, skills/talents, and capabilities. Their Diversity Programs are focused on serving our communities by helping to increase the number of diverse legal practitioners and enhancing their quality of practice in patent law.
Other Partners
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2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services, statewide. If you are in crisis, dial 211, press 1 to connect with someone immediately. You can also text your zip code to 898211. Our specially trained call specialists answer calls 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
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Darkness to Light empowers adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse through awareness, education, and stigma reduction. Using a social behavior change approach, they pioneer new training initiatives that bring child sexual abuse to the attention of the broader cultural conversation.
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The Greater Baltimore Medical Center strives to deliver patient-centered, evidence-based medicine focusing on a patient’s overall wellness, beyond only episodic care.
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Maryland Children’s Alliance, a chapter of the National Children’s Alliance, seeks to ensure that every jurisdiction in Maryland is offering collaborative, evidence-based investigative and treatment services in response to allegations of child abuse.
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Maryland Essentials for Children brings together public and private partners from across the state as a collective impact initiative to prevent child maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
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The Family Tree leads Maryland in preventing child abuse, connects caring communities, and builds strong families to improve society for generations. Our vision is that all children are raised in safe and supportive families and communities.
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SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) is the largest, oldest support group for women and men wounded by religious and institutional authorities (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns, coaches, teachers, and others).