Sex Abuse Survivors Talk to Lawmakers

By Kealey Bultena
South Dakota Public Broadcasting
February 12, 2014

http://listen.sdpb.org/post/sex-abuse-survivors-talk-lawmakers

[with audio]

Survivors of child sex abuse and advocates for those victims want lawmakers to address the abuse. Senate Bill 154 establishes a task force to study the impact of sexual abuse of children. Not one lawmaker in committee opposes the effort.

Mary Beth Holzworth is in the state Capitol for her sons. Two of her three boys survived sexual abuse.

"On June 10, 2009, my five-year-old son sat next to me and said, ‘Mom, uncle shared his germs with me.’ I had no idea what that meant and asked him to explain further. What he began to decribe was something I never thought I’d hear from one of my children. He explained how his uncle had sexually abused him, from fondling to oral sex to penetration. As a mother, nothing I’d ever heard had made me more sick," Holzworth says.

Holzworth says her boys still struggle with anger, guilt and night terrors brought on by the abuse – and they bear that burden for the rest of their lives. 

National statistics estimate one in four girls and one in six boys is a victim of sexual abuse.

Beckie Francis knows that well. She moved to Sioux Falls three weeks ago. She brings with her a history of survival.

"My father sexually abused me from the age of four until 12," Francis says. "My father, after he got done abusing me, he would put his finger over his mouth and go, 'Shh, don't tell mommy. If you tell mommy, mommy will leave.'"

Francis says families often don't believe victims and instead side with abusers, because they don't want others to find out about the horrifying crimes. 

An expert on child abuse says sexual abuse happens in all forms in South Dakota. Pediatrician Nancy Free says it has no boundaries – rural, urban, ethnic, economic. Free says the state should address this problem for the innocent young victims. She says, if that's still not enough, South Dakota must recognize that child sexual abuse costs the state in mental health services, the treatment of illness, and because sex abuse often prevents kids from  growing into productive members of society. 

Members of the Senate Education committee unanimously approve Senate Bill 154. It now moves to the Senate floor. 

The bill creating the task force is through the Senate Education committee because lawmakers want to establish a starting point to develop strategies and educate people about child sexual abuse.