My Story of Surviving Sexual Abuse & How To Prevent this Silent Killer | Jenna Quinn | TEDxUTD

Jenna Quinn is a sexual abuse survivor and the driving force behind "Jenna's Law" that requires school districts, daycare centers, foster care centers, and child placing agencies to educate children and adults on how to recognize, prevent, and report abuse and sex trafficking.
Jenna Quinn is a child sexual abuse survivor, author, and the force behind Jenna’s Law. Jenna’s Law was the first child sexual abuse prevention education law in the United States named after a survivor to require that each school district adopt and implement a prevention policy that educates students, teachers, and parents on the likely warning signs of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and how to report. Now, over half the country has passed some form of legislation since Jenna’s Law in 2009. With a master’s degree in communication studies, she is a sought-after speaker who has traveled nationwide, educating and sharing her inspiring story with legislatures, law-enforcement, abuse-prevention groups, schools, communities of faith, nonprofit organizations, and the general public for over twelve years. She has participated in both local and national radio, television, and news programs, and she has dedicated her life to preventing child sexual abuse through education and legislation.
For more information visit www.JennaQuinn.org
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@lilyh6032]

I am a survivor, three times, three different men before the age of 17. My father, my step-grandfather, and my theatre choreographer. I am terrified for my children. Thank you for teaching me that it's okay to be scared, and that there is hope. If you are a survivor, please don't be scared to tell. Parents, listen to your children. Don't ask them what the did, just ask them what happened and how to make it better. Thank you Ted Talks for bringing this message to more people.

[@healinggrounds19]

Choreography!? Yikes! As a theatre person, this is my worst nightmare. An abuser lurking in such a close knit company.

[@jessicaarancibia6477]

♥️

[@corto4668]

As a young man who enjoyed 22 years of a perfectly safe life, I'm grateful to you and to this Ted Talk for opening some people's eyes (including me) on those very important and relevant issues. You've been very brave, and certainly braver than I will ever be. Thank you again. I wish more people would watch this and realise how lucky they are, and how they have to learn how to identify and fight back sexual abuse.

[@thefabulousnarwhal5410]

Hugo Decis thank you

[@CyAnideSiikNness]

You can be just as brave (:

[@nadiahattaoui1129]

My godfather abused me from the age of 8 till 10

[@cryptid6279]

I am the one in three. Half of my family didn't believe me. My own mother didn't believe me because "her boyfriend would never do something like that".

[@aussie_mozzie]

Phantasma You have earned my respect.

[@love_reka_777]

Story of my life

[@jesusiseverythingjc7591]

I'm so sorry. It was my dad's brother. My dad didn't believe me until his brother tried to pull a family friends 11 yr old daughter out of her bedroom window thank God her sister woke up and started screaming and saved her.

[@healinggrounds19]

I loath moms who choose a 'man' over their children.

[@cryptid6279]

@@healinggrounds19 i struggled with that for so long, honestly. i didn't think i was good enough for my own mother to love more than her boyfriend.

[@paulgrant2314]

I am a survivor of historical abuse it has completely obliterated my whole entire life, my perpetrator was sentenced to 8 years in prison 20 years after the abuse, if I was the leader of the world 🌎 I would administrator the death sentence to people who abuse children because that's how devastating abuse feels 💔😢

[@shareebee2158]

I love you all ❤️

[@marlosunnyfruit4431]

We need to lock them away forever. Never to ever be able to do it again. The only way to protect the children.

[@shaktikumari444]

You belong to which country @Paul Grant?? I am curious to know because i am indian and here in india there is no such laws that can punish the abuser after 20 years or so on. Please reply dear it will be of great help.

[@deysilocacrazylocadia4989]

​@@shaktikumari444 is probably in America. This happen to you too?

[@deannahardesty632]

How did you get justice? I don’t know where to start

[@jennyhedouville4515]

Don’t know if I am a survivor because I am reliving it in my 40s my life right is a mess, please somebody pray for me! 🙏

[@puddlesplasher7]

Praying for you. How are you doing now? I finally began therapy in October, and I only this week (7 months into it) I was able to tell about what my own mother and grandmother did to me throughout childhood and adolescence, and I couldn't tell the details, because I was going to throw up and I was shaking uncontrollably. I am so scared of losing my job because I am accidentally trashing the life I worked so hard to create for myself...because to tell about what happened to me, I had to think about it, think about it in a linear way, stuff I haven't allowed my brain to do, and it has made me so ineffective lately.

[@KatCaldera]

Prayin for you! 💜🤍🙏🏽✨✨✨

[@pics2023-ty1jb]

Praying God will help you through this, read the Bible, He is with you and is angered by what happened, and so sad for you. God says, Vengence is mine!!! Let Him do that. Listen to trauma therapist and get personal help if you can. I took about a dozen self defense classes, it's weird but ive been able to speak up more, (I'm very much an extrovert but I'm talking about when something comes up that bothers me whether it be something on TV or something someone says that's inappropriate even in third-party conversation), im stronger in my character. AND, i Loved the classes! (Krav Maga). There are also supplements that can be helpful, consider Ashwganda, there are many more... 💕

[@schnitzel8746]

"We can't heal, what we don't reveal"

[@iminzaednar5664]

Let's talk about the uncomfortable, denial is fatal. Am a survivor.

[@jardineriahyssop6009]

Survivors are usually experts.

[@jardineriahyssop6009]

What about the ADA? NAMI? Right to privacy?

[@lindawright5984]

I’m so happy for you that you have your sister. My sister is my only advocate . My mother called me s liar and her son did not abuse me for 7 years. Sisters save lives.

[@lauralovaglio6486]

This is wonderful. I’ve worked in education, in camp and with all populations. Children need to be educated on what to do when this happens to them. Teachers and all people who work with children need to be educated on warning signs. Parents should be educated on warning signs as well.

[@rye1065]

I am one of the 3, mine started at age 4 then continued till age 10 ½ I mainly clicked on this so then I could grow out of my shell of sadness💞 you are slowly helping me. age 11 and I'm crying in bed looking at my cuts and scars PTSD, suisidal thoughts, depression and I believe I have anxiety but my therapist hasnt diagnosed me with it yet and hopefully never I never want to be tuched again

[@snap_crackle_popshaw7958]

I’m sorry this has happened to you Both!!! I hope you are/continue to get help!!! Many here, including myself are survivors!! Reach out if you need instead of harming yourself, please? I don’t know you, but I do care!!! Much love 💗 💕 to you!!

[@lisastephens864]

Wow, you silly thing..only cause people have done things to you tht r unthinkable, there's no need to hurt urself sweet..tht was outta your control,don't let them ruin your life, ur mind ! Fight and stand up..and focus, your gonna make it,. Take ur life in your hands, know bad things happen to good people.most important is ur reaction to it, it's really wat matters ! Be kind to yourself.. believe me I know ..I'm 52 now & I'm a survivor & they told me PTSD, depression tht never will go ..and 35 % impaired in my brain...I don't take pills at all..I want to be me ..I'm good enough..I'm free xo all the best

[@lisastephens864]

@@snap_crackle_popshaw7958 much agreed

[@jenniferjakob9005]

Hang in there God has a plan for all of us 🙏🙏🙏❤

[@jenjjy7490]

I'm so sorry that happened to you 💔

[@pandapearl385]

I tried to tell my mom and she gripped my shoulder with her fingernails so hard she drew blood and said, "That did not happen."

[@lapislazuliphoenix]

Tell someone else!

[@janicecass2713]

Continued Childhood abuse in the really early years, the brain grows and forms differently. Mine was from 3 to 13. My mum believed me, I still had to live with him and got no support what so ever. I know we need change for this but we first need to help the adults who are left in turmoil who havent had support. Bring it more into the public eye so that we can bring change for future generations.

[@anglesmortsdelavie]

...exatamente. Esse é meu objetivo aqui no Brasil. Acredito piamente que ao quebrar o silêncio dentro do núcleo religioso abrirá caminho para a proteção das crianças no núcleo familiar. Sou sobrevivente aos 4 anos de idade e me coloco no lugar das meninas. Hug.

[@lauramallory4798]

Maybe there’s hope for some, but we who were violated as infants and on, and suffered multiple abusers(mine= 6 before age 18, i.e. father, older brother, a sister’s husband, a bus driver and 2 teachers)have mental and emotional problems that hamper our ability to carry on life’s daily responsibilities. Many have debilitating physical problems as well. Thus, many of us find ourselves at the mercy of state/federally paid programs that are not equipped to even attempt to treat the trauma of survivors. When I moved back to my hometown to be closer to my aging and sick mother, I called every single psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist in the area, looking for someone to help me. NOT ONE PROVIDER TOOK MEDICARE, which was my only insurance since I was disabled by Crohn’s disease many years earlier. I ask you....Where’s my hope?

[@feliciabynum3644]

Laura Mallory There are non profit organizations that will give you counseling for free. I am in Virginia and there is an organization called YWCA that gives counseling for free for adults and children. There are places out there for free. Please research it and know there is hope. I am praying for God to open up doors for you to get the help you need.

[@lorrainewest7408]

Multiple abusers must be xtra difficult. for me reading information books, having motivational quotes in my home, inner belief messages, working on myself, exercises, physiological programmes, breathing exercises,meditation, group meetings, sister, brother sharing with others, telling or helping yourself how fortunate you may be in simple ways. Communicate so many survivors & so many care. A tree grows upwards and outwards.

[@jesusiseverythingjc7591]

I found my hope in Jesus. I was hurt in every way and I know a lot of people say why did God let this happen but He didn't we have free will and the ones who hurt us chose to hurt us. But one day they will answer for it. I pray for you for us all in Jesus mighty name in the name of God almighty amen

[@healinggrounds19]

You have to be your own advocate. Start an ' anonymous' local in-person group for survivors. Or look online to see if there is one already.

[@Hannah-hg7xr]

@@lorrainewest7408 I am also helping myself with all these !!!

[@32000voisine]

Thank you for this talk. Such a humiliating, embarrassing thing but something that just like opioid addiction needs to be discussed in order to help bring awareness. It happens more than people think. This is a silent killer for sure. Kids don't tell because they trust.

[@shoaibkahut]

More powers to You . i am the CSA survivor and feel very hard, at times to face the complications due to it .

[@martinamcbrearty67]

keep going brother... im a survivor too

[@magalibenitez1966]

We’ve got this 🤍

[@mariachaudhry4608]

Her sister, bless her , asked her the right question.. i m so gald she believed her.

[@miki462011]

I'm going to be 59 yrs old in July and I've been tormented since it started at the age of 4 yrs old, and domestic abuse, but worst of All😢 is the narcissistic parent you have to trust for the rest of their life, because your other parent commit suicide when you're only ten where do you go for I need answers now

[@reinettagrant9596]

Thank you for sharing 🙏🏾. Blessings to you and your family

[@Blue-kq2no]

A great speaker. Thank you so much for sharing.. Support Jenna's Law.

[@M8-20]

It is disturbing that our only way to combat this is to put the responsibility on the shoulders of children to keep themselves safe.

[@palapalak.8907]

Thank you for sharing and God Bless You!

[@JThom529]

I feel like it’s too late for me but I’m thankful there’s still hope for others

[@savingJobutupaki]

I just want to give you a big long hug. ❤❤❤❤ It is never too late but I know these are just words. But I just want you to know you’re not alone.

[@JThom529]

@@savingJobutupaki the only ones that will know the details are me and my therapists. Anyone else can’t know because it will destroy more than you can possibly imagine. If I had the courage or sense to say soon enough, maybe there was a chance to not let it eat away at me, but now I suffer in silence because of it. I can’t forget it and I can’t forgive but I have to be quiet But I appreciate your kindness, nonetheless

[@markfreedom532]

You must tell!!!! TELL and save yourself and your future.

[@mmpoggs2033]

When those who tell they are drugged, imprisoned, they are vilified when they expose infant and toddler use by family member and the abuser is surrounded by legal, medical, teachers, public servants a whole nation of protection for the abuser, those who tell are 🤐 the world we live in is mostly this way the ones who don’t do or support abuse are unusual!

[@mmpoggs2033]

When they are groomed from birth! Daily and ruled by glares and threats and illness!

[@mmpoggs2033]

The police man said to me as he shook with rage” I’m going to tell your family exactly what you have said about him!

[@agnesacaboabello]

I was vilified and labeled as a liar when I told my mom and she then confronted the family member who did it. She and I were alienated and talked bad about. It still hurts to this day (after 20 years) that this happened to me. I still need to find closure and hopefully move forward especially when I am still labeled as such horrible things.

[@blackcattattoos9658]

Keep telling people until someone helps you.

[@sarlut]

In my country 14 years is what they give to perpetrators. Its crazy

[@ceciliagd4656]

If you don’t have nobody to talk and need help,I’m here I went trough that there is hope for your life too

[@shannonobrien2572]

I got those mystery hives too. And trips to doctors, specialists, lab tests, etc.

[@mmpoggs2033]

The doctors covered over the evidence. The nursery in nursery in on it.

[@ceciliagd4656]

It happened to me when I was 9 and I didn’t speak til I was 18

[@Fiawordweaver]

Works unless it’s your father and your mother doesn’t think it’s wrong

[@lapislazuliphoenix]

Tell someone else outside of the home!

[@blackcattattoos9658]

Keep telling people until someone helps you

[@love_reka_777]

What are the warning signs other than trust and grooming for an infant/toddler

[@snap_crackle_popshaw7958]

Their actions. They can act in a certain way that is alarming to us. But it’s just them acting on what they are told/forced to do. I was a toddler, whenever a man stood up near me, my mouth would drop open(ya know the rest...) Still to this day, I have this trigger...

[@snap_crackle_popshaw7958]

Or when/if they play with toys, is it in a way that’s alarming. Do they act out certain things that they shouldn’t even know...

[@lapislazuliphoenix]

@@snap_crackle_popshaw7958 I'm so sorry! Hug

[@heathercovington8030]

Keep lovers boyfriend away from kids period

[@vanessabschons9623]

This Law news to come to the UK

[@dennisadmiraal3415]

I AM A VICTIM AND I FEEL WORTHLESS 3 SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, VICE PRINCIPAL ABUSE OF YOUNG ELEMENTARY STUDENTS HIDDEN FOR YEARS ...CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME I AM P.T.S.D. YES I TAKE ZOLOFT? PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP ME?

[@lisak1895]

I just want to check in with you. I hope you are doing better in everything way.

[@dhushy01]

Hey how are you???

[@nellieking-shriner3381]

Are you still on here replying to these messages?

[@dhushy01]

@@nellieking-shriner3381 Why??? just to check

[@love_reka_777]

What is an “at risk “ child

[@dennisadmiraal3415]

HENK ADMIRAAL MONSTER? NEED TO GO ON T.V THE 5TH ESTATE I.M CANADIAN!

[@thexpax]

boys do not want to tell

[@ssiristic]

Nothing like this has ever happened to me yet I have those hive things tomorrow we will find out what it is

[@lisastephens864]

Probably elergic to something u ate lol unbelievable

[@ssiristic]

{Lisa Stephens} I don’t remember writing this

[@lisastephens864]

@@ssiristic oh ok 🙃

[@rachelallred9681]

1st like 1st comment

[@jardineriahyssop6009]

There is no such thing as a "survivor" Jailhouse conversions and street corner preachers are a dime a dozen. There but for the grace of God go I?