Author: Melissa Merrick

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Merrick on Violence at the US Capitol

January 7, 2021

Statements & Messages

Many of you, like me, had to try to explain to your children the news and troubling images that flashed across our many screens yesterday. We attempted to answer questions and allay fears about safety and freedoms that we take for granted in a democratic society. As if parenting during a global pandemic was not hard enough, parenting during such deeply disturbing events shook many of us to the core.

Statements & Messages

A Back-to-school Message From Dr. Melissa Merrick

September 14, 2020

Statements & Messages

In this special back-to-school monthly message, Dr. Melissa Merrick reinforces, “Whatever your child’s learning program—in-person, remote, or a hybrid of the two—there is no perfect answer, just the best solution you can provide right now…What’s important is how we as parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, and communities continue to create the safe, stable, and nurturing environments and relationships that enable our children to succeed and thrive.”

Statements & Messages

A Statement on Racism From Dr. Melissa Merrick

June 3, 2020

Statements & Messages

For the last several days, emotions that have run high for generations have clearly reached a boiling point, here in Chicago and throughout the country. The understandable outrage, profound sadness, and deafening demands for change stemming from the death of George Floyd and countless others before him are feelings that we at Prevent Child Abuse America share. For those who grieve, we grieve with you.

Statements & Messages

Dr. Melissa Merrick Responds to New Rules Under Title IX

May 12, 2020

Statements & Messages

Recent news from the Department of Education regarding new rules under Title IX, anticipated to take effect by mid-August, raise serious concerns for victims of sexual abuse and misconduct in the higher education setting.

Statements & Messages

Dr. Melissa Merrick Responds to Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy Filing

February 20, 2020

Statements & Messages

Each year, countless children are sexually victimized by those responsible for their care, be it in the home, in communities of worship, or in youth serving organizations. We must do better!

Statements & Messages

Dr. Melissa Merrick Responds to New York Times Articles on Child Sexual Abuse

October 4, 2019

Statements & Messages

To thrive, children require relationships and contexts that support their healthy development in safe, consistent, and age-appropriate ways. Daily headlines remind us that all too many children, at the hands of those responsible for their care—be it family, friends, coaches, and/or faith leaders—have their rights violated through acts of violence. A recent series of articles in the New York Times highlighted the enormity of the problem of child sexual abuse victimization. Last year alone, 45 million images and videos of child sexual abuse were identified online, double the number from the previous year. Despite having done this work for decades, statistics like this continue to unsettle me. We have such a long way to go in our prevention efforts because we know that for every existing image there are multiple other children and youth being victimized in similar ways.

Statements & Messages

A Message From Dr. Melissa Merrick on Child Separations at the U.S. Border

August 26, 2019

Statements & Messages

Recent reports have made clear that children continue to be separated from their parents and caregivers at the southern U.S. border, despite an official end to the Administration’s zero-tolerance policy. By our government’s own definition, these actions constitute undeniable child abuse. Prevent Child Abuse America’s mission is to prevent the abuse and neglect of every child. As such, we implore the President and legislators to work together to change this practice now.

Statements & Messages

Dr. Melissa Merrick Responds to U.S. Olympic Committee Reform Legislation

July 31, 2019

Statements & Messages

At Prevent Child Abuse America, we envision a world where no child ever experiences the horrific atrocities recounted by the hundreds of courageous athletes who fell victim to Larry Nassar’s calculated acts of sexual abuse. Yesterday, Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released findings of their 18-month investigation into the handling of allegations of sexual misconduct within the governance structure of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Gymnastics, leading to their introduction of the bipartisan Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019.

Statements & Messages

A Message from Dr. Melissa Merrick

July 15, 2019

Statements & Messages

Today, my first day at Prevent Child Abuse America, marks the beginning of a new chapter in my professional life—one that’s accompanied by great excitement, as well as deliberate reflection and anticipation.