JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Christopher Bacca's time in court could turn out to be a lengthy process. But it's the damage done to his alleged victim that could last a lifetime.
"It is a profound wound that takes a lifetime to heal from. And it's a trauma that we as a society have to embrace and embrace healing for our children who become adults." Angela Williams is a child advocate, author, and a survivor of sexual abuse. She's also the founder of the 'Voice Today' movement. To end the silence of sexual abuse through awareness, prevention, and healing programs.
"Child sexual abuse is still a really stigmatized and a very taboo subject in our society but we have got to break that code of silence," says Williams.
Only 1 in 10 sexually abused children will tell. And she says the affects for those who don't can be detrimental. Williams says, "You'll find many survivors of child sexual abuse will live very self destructive behaviors."
Things like eating disorders, drug addictions, and depression, she says, are just a few symptoms they might deal with later in life. "Often they just feel so isolated and they're so ashamed and guilty over what happened and they feel like no one is ever going to believe them," she says.
Williams recommends talking to your children about sexual abuse at a young age. She says prevention is the key.
