Jan 23, 2017 2 min read

We would like to respond to coverage of the sexual abuse of an 11-year-old in your Jan. 14 edition.

Throughout this article, the abuse was referred to as a “sexual relationship.” The use of this terminology would infer that the child was an active and willing participant in the sexual activity. Because of age and developmental level, an 11-year-old, or any child, regardless of age, is unable to give consent to engage in sexual activity. Any behavior of a sexual nature that involves a child is sexual abuse, and should be identified as such.

The fact that there were three articles about the prosecution of sexual abuse cases involving local children in your paper that day points to the fact that this is a serious issue that is happening in our neighborhoods far too often. We as a community need to take the responsibility to educate ourselves in the prevention of and response to sexual violence, so that we can put an end to this crime that affects us all.

Joanna Dragan

Washington

Dragan is the Sexual Trauma, Treatment and Recovery Services (STTARS) program supervisor for the Southwest Pennsylvania Human Services Care Center.