Sandra Potter displays two of her books on domestic violence and child abuse. An epidemic is killing our children and it is more deadly and more prevalent than polio, whooping cough or swine flu combined. It is child abuse. And one Peck resident has made finding its cure her life’s work. “Education and knowledge are the keys to prevention,” said Sandra Potter, CEO and founder of Dreamcatchers for Abused Children, a worldwide nonprofit organization based in Michigan.

“If people are properly educated on the signs and symptoms, it may put an end to this bitter and deadly disease.” Potter has co-authored a series of books about domestic violence and child abuse. Two of the books will all be available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Walmart, Target and other independent bookstores this month; another will be out by Christmas, Potter said. In Sanilac County, they will be available at Walmart in Sandusky, she said.

Potter founded her organization after her own daughter was traumatized by child sexual abuse. “If I had known back then what I know now, I think I would have spotted the signs and symptoms,” she said. “I wanted to do something to help families going through what I went through.”

Dreamcatchers is a legal, nonprofit 501-C3 organization with 12 different websites and almost 30,000 active members worldwide, dedicated to promoting awareness by educating the public on the signs/symptoms of child abuse, statistics, intervention, reporting, prevention, and assistance to survivors.

Consider these statistics:

*One in every three girls will be sexually molested before the age of 18.

* One in every six boys will be sexually molested before the age of 18.

* Every 10 seconds a child is abused, raped or killed in the United States.

* Today up to five children will die from abuse or neglect.

* In 10 seconds, another child will be abused in the United States. There were 2.9 million child abuse reports made in 1992. Only 28 percent of the children identified as harmed by abuse are investigated.

* Since 1980, physical abuse has increased 84 percent; sexual abuse 350 percent; emotional abuse 333 percent; and neglect 320 percent.

*85 percent of the 1.2-1.5 million runaways are fleeing abuse at home.

*Child abuse victims are 2.5 times more likely to become involved in crime, drug and alcohol abuse.

*Abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across all ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all educational levels

*It is estimated that 3-6 percent of the clergy population has abused a child.

*The typical child sex offender molests an average of 117 children, most of whom do not report the offense.

*One-third of abuse and neglect victims will go on to abuse or neglect their own children.

*Statistics indicate that abuse is symptomatic of an overall breakdown of the nuclear family. Abuse cases are significantly higher in broken, blended or cohabitating families.

Potter gathered these statistics after hours of research, using many online sources including www.childhelp.org and www.childabuse.org. But statistics aren’t what spurred her into action – it was the release of her daughter’s abuser after more than 14 years in prison. “I don’t feel that child sex offenders can be rehabilitated. It’s a very uneasy feeling to know he’s out and about,” Potter said. “He could move next door to me, if he wanted to. To me, that’s very offensive. I wanted to vent those feelings into something positive.”

Potter works indirectly with Peck Police Chief Paul Rich to review the National Sex Offender Registry to ensure child abusers do not move into the area. “There actually was a case where a man from out of state, who’d just been released from prison, moved into Peck. He was living with his brother and their three children. Between us, we got him to move out of our area,” she said. Rich remembers the case.

“They were actually in violation of the provisions set forth in the Michigan statute for convicted sex offenders, having to live an excess of one thousand feet from a school zone,” Rich said. “When we brought that to their attention, they moved out of state. That was due to (Potter’s) efforts.” Rich said Potter has contacted him at other times, too. “And that’s good. It’s nice to have somebody who will alert you to them,” Rich said. “Any time someone gets out and into the area, she’s right on top of that.”

Along with being vigilant, Potter believes the best way to break the abuse cycle is to educate parents, caregivers and the public and, most important, to arm the victims themselves with information. First of all there are many different types of abuse: Physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. “You want to look for any type of unexplained bruising and continuous injuries – bruising, bite marks, bald spots, burns, welts, as well as obvious fractures,” she said. Emotionally, abused children may be nervous or aggressive. Sexual abuse signs include difficulty walking, elimination problems, bacterial infections, itching, precocious knowledge of sexual activity, blood in underwear, and regressions such as sucking the thumb and bedwetting. Other emotional signs include depression or fear of a specific person.

Education is what Potter’s books attempt to do:

The first book in the series, “One Step Ahead of Fate,” covers domestic violence, the story of a woman’s experience. The first half is the actual story. “In the back is the self-help section for whoever wants it,” Potter said. The book was published by the national publishing firm Publish America and will be out around Christmastime.

“The Child Abuse Survivor Project” is a collection of abuse stories from around the world. “It happens more than we know. I think more of these cases are being heard today,” Potter said.

“Unnecessary Roughness…Til Death Do Us Part,” is the fictional account of a woman who marries her sweetheart – a professional football player – who kills her in the end. While the book is fiction, it’s based on many factual statistics. “I think it will hit home with a lot of battered women,” Potter said.

The latter two books are self-published and are available now.

Many more statistics detailing the methods, signs, symptoms and affects of child abuse may be found at Potter’s websites. While it is legally mandatory for all U.S. citizens to report suspected cases of child abuse, the fact that more than 60 percent go uninvestigated can be daunting.

“My mission is to try and make difference,” she said. She would like to become a public speaker, doing informative seminars with children, parents, teachers and caregivers. “You would be surprised how many parents don’t know how to use the National Sex Offender Registry and the Family Watchdog. It will show any sex offenders living in your area and what they were convicted of,” she said. Parents also might want to access www.mipsor.state.mi.us, the Michigan version of the national registry, she said.

Written By Margaret Whitmer — Reporter

Publish America is proud to announce the release of “One Step Ahead of Fate” by Dreamcatchers best-selling authors.

This is an shocking story of domestic violence. Every woman dreams of meeting the perfect man, but no woman dreams of being physically and sexually abused, tortured or held hostage in their own home.

This powerful story will take our reader through the vicious cycle of abuse, shattered dreams, broken promises and the brutal reality of having to fight just to stay alive. After surviving being hit, kicked, punched, slapped, raped, stalked and beaten daily for over five years she finally manages to escape.

Her road to recovery would be a long, emotional battle, but new beginnings would soon follow as she desperately struggles to regain back her life and her dignity. This must-read shocking story will also provide domestic violence education, advice, tips, escape plans, hotline numbers and resources.

Recently the writing duo recently released “The Child Abuse Survivor Project” and “Unnecessary Roughness: Til death do us part.”  Each educational book released surrounds a heartfelt story of an abusive situation, as well as an educational self-help section assisting victims in seeking the help they so desperately need.

The writing duo was recently invited by director and producer Benford Standley to attend the Paso Digital Film Festival, and will appear on a guest spot on Mary Aguilar’s radio talk show, Victims Speak Out, to promote their upcoming release. Aguilar is best known for her role on HBO’s the Sopranos.

Books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other fine online book stores.

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children Announces Keith Dudley to Be a New Sponsor

October 7, 2009

Michigan, USA

Just Announced! Hundreds of dedicated volunteers from Dreamcatchers for Abused Children are pleased to announce a partnership with County Music Star, Keith Dudley.

Keith Dudley is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville, TN and Fort Mill, SC. Keith began his 25 year music career at the age of 13 when he wrote and performed his first song. From an early age his mother had a major impact on his love of music and helped shape his soulful roots.

With a diverse love of music culminated in his life long career as a singer/songwriter, Keith has traveled extensively throughout the United States and other countries as a performing artist. Formerly a gospel artist with The Benson Music Group, Keith charted two top five singles from his album “Talk About It”. He had two number one songs for the group 4Him. In 2000, Keith was nominated for a Dove Award for his song “The Hand of God”. He has toured with such groups as the Imperials, Point of Grace, 4Him, Truth and Phil Driscoll.

Keith is also an accomplished public speaker, performing at corporate events, high schools, colleges and universities throughout the US and other countries. For seven years Keith was involved in the cable television industry. He served as executive vice president in charge of Creative Development for an upstart cable network and three years as CEO and chairman of IMT (International Music Television).

His current project, “China Grove”, showcases Keith’s philosophy, “We are created as creatures of passion – passion for love and a passion for life. We also have experienced pain and loss, therefore we can only hope that our passion for life overcomes this pain, and helps us pick up the pieces and live.” “Love’s Been Good” has already reached #7 on the Power Source Charts in only a few months. The title song “China Grove” is slated to be released in 2009.

When asked why he agreed to join the force of Dreamcatchers, his response…

The site looks amazing. I am proud to be associated.

Love being a part of what you are doing.

Blessings,

KD

You can visit Keith’s at:

WEBSITE: http://www.keithdudleymusic.com/KeithDudley/Home.html

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children is a worldwide non Profit 501(3) child abuse organization dedicated to educating the public on child abuse awareness, intervention & prevention. www.dreamcatchersforabusedchildren.com