A Jacksonville clinical psychologist is praising the heroic actions of a young girl after she put her accused sexual attacker in jail.
Police reports say the girl recorded the abuse because no one had believed her when she spoke up about it before.
Police report reveals a girl between the ages of 12 and 16 reported Chirstopher Hranek had been sexually abusing her.
Clinical psychologist Lynn Wadelton says sexual-abuse allegations should never be brushed aside.
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“The problem with sexual abuse is, people begin to not trust their own feelings," Wadelton said. "Their feelings aren’t validated, their body is not theirs. Their thoughts are not theirs.”
With no one to help her, the young girl took it upon herself to record what was happening.
The report says the girl told police she didn’t record the most graphic parts of abuse because she was embarrassed.
On Sunday, she called 911 to report the abuse.
Wadleton says this little girl was brave enough to get evidence to prove what was happening something from which other children could learn.
“It’s an amazing example of courage and something I want all of the children to know about.”
Getting kids to open up about abuse means empowering them to get help, and assuring them that they did nothing wrong.
Christopher Hranek is being held on a $500,000 bond; he’s expected back in court April 18.
Cox Media Group