The Enemy Between My Legs: Breaking the Silence on Child Molestation at Chicago's eta Creative Arts Foundation

Speaker, Sexual Abuse Advocate, and Author of The Enemy Between My Legs, Stephanie L. Jones, will share her story of enduring and overcoming years of child sexual abuse, which began at age five. She will also provide healing tips for abuse victims and prevention tips for parents and caretakers. End Quote

Chicago, IL (1888PressRelease) September 13, 2008 - Calling all parents, teenagers, sexual abuse victims, and advocacy groups – eta Creative Arts Foundation will host author, speaker, and sexual abuse advocate, Stephanie L. Jones, for a candid discussion about the long-term effects of child molestation. On Thursday, September 18th, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Jones, author of The Enemy Between My Legs, will share how she was able to overcome years of child molestation, as well as share prevention tips for parents and caretakers.

“We are very pleased to have Stephanie do this book signing and discuss a "silent issue" that has long plagued the African-American community. It is said that once we know better, we do better. It is our hope that this discussion will shed a light on this subject and help those exposed to the problem better understand how to deal with it,” says Marta White, eta Creative Arts Foundation Task Force Consultant.

In her bold and compelling book Jones tackles the tough subject of child sexual abuse. Readers are uninhibitedly allowed into the heart and soul of a sexual abuse survivor. Jones shares how over seven years of child molestation, which began at age five, haunted her and continuously resurfaced in her teenage and adult life in the forms of promiscuity, substance abuse, and difficulties in maintaining interpersonal relationships.

“It’s very difficult to tell a young person not to have sex once they’ve been molested. No one could tell me not to. My first sexual experience was at age five. I had been touched, kissed, and fondled so much as a child that by age of 13, I didn’t want it to stop,” says Jones.

Jones is not alone. Shockingly, one in three females and one in five males are sexually abused. According to the organizations Darkness to Light and ChildHelp.com, the effects of sexual abuse extend far beyond the years in which it actually takes place and ends. What’s even more shocking is that studies also reveal that 90% of sexual abuse cases occur at the hands of a family member, close family friend, or trusted leader.

• 66% of teen pregnancies and abortions are preceded by sexual assault.
• 96% of teen prostitutes were sexual abuse victims.
• 75% of rapists were sexual abuse victims.
• 60% of children who experience abuse and neglect are more likely to be arrested.
• Sexual abuse victims often suffer self-esteem, health, financial and weight problems.

“Sexual abuse is a taboo subject. No one wants to talk about it,” says Jones. “When it is discussed people tend to reference internet predators, priests, neighborhood pedophiles and strangers lurking in the park, but most sexual abuse takes place right in our homes between fathers, daughters, mothers, siblings, uncles, aunts, and other family members. We need to address what’s happening in our very own families!”

The Enemy Between My Legs, an Amazon Top 100 selling book, has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, and on radio shows around the world. This event is free and open to the public.

###

Visit Stephanie L. Jones, Llc Website

space