When I first heard of ChildSafe, I was in middle school. A close friend had disclosed to me her years of sexual abuse at the hands of a family member. I found ChildSafe on the internet after trying to find some way to do something. I was only 12 years old, struggling to understand and help.

It happened again in high school. A close male friend disclosed to me his childhood sexual abuse. This time, I gave him ChildSafe's information and he politely received it, although he was already on the verge of adulthood.

One in five children in the United States will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday... But only one in ten will ever speak of their abuse. 

It brings me to tears even now – that they could have found help healing through ChildSafe, but I was too young to know how to change their lives.

There is no greater invasion of a child than abuse. Child abuse happens everywhere.

To this day, as a grant writer for ChildSafe, I think of them both each and every day. I burn to help children; like my friends were, like you were, and like I was. I have set a goal of $500, representing a dollar for every supporter within my social circle. Please join us in this fight against child abuse. For me, it is all personal.

Thank You,

Hannah Marie

*Client stories as used by ChildSafe do not reflect real names or photos. All quotes shared have been shared with permission of client.*