Help "Lily Lightning Bug"
Encourage More Abused Children
The nightmare of childhood sexual abuse is one none of us like to think about. But it's all too real for thousands of children each year. Here at the National Organization for Victim Assistance, our network of care providers see so many terrible cases, and help hundreds of kids face their fears and begin to overcome their trauma.
You can greatly assist us today, with your
generous contribution.
 NOVA has created a little book called Lily Lightning Bug and her Stolen Glow, which helps these kids learn that what happened to them is not their fault. It lets them know what to expect from the legal system, in a way that a young child can understand.
It's bad enough that these children are in this terrible situation. The best you and I can do is to offer our support and our guidance in a very difficult time. Lily Lightning Bug is an innovative way to do that.
Just listen to the difference "Lily" has
already made to children who've read her book.
A NOVA Statewide Advocate for abused kids let us know:
"I recently read Lily's story to three little girls who were facing the daunting task of testifying against the offender who had sexually assaulted them. I believe Lily helped them gain the courage to march up to the witness stand and tell the Judge what happened.
The smallest girl held the Lily book in her little hands while she testified – seemingly to gather her courage."
Two of Lily's young readers wrote us a letter to say:
"After I read the book, I feel brave now that I have the power to tell the truth. I feel happy that (he) is in jail.... I think your book is a feeling book and a helping book for children who are young and have been attacked."
"After I read this book, it made me think of what happened to me. It made me have courage to tell the truth about what happened even though it was private. Now I am not scared anymore. I feel happy that I don't have to worry or think about it. I think this book will be good for kids who have not done anything wrong and have had something bad happen to them."
A victim advocate who used the book told us:
"I am a victim advocate in a prosecution office in a rural area where multiple children were interviewed regarding sexual abuse involving an adult perpetrator. The prosecution decided to focus on some of the 3rd grade children who were victims. The defendant was arrested and charged with numerous first degree felonies.
The case began to progress rapidly and my job was to get these children ready to participate in the criminal justice system. Luckily I had attended the NOVA conference last year and had brought back a "Lily Lightning Bug and Her Stolen Glow" book.
After a quick call to NOVA, ten books were on the way to me. The prosecutors I work with were impressed that such a book was available to help children with the system. I gave each child a book to take home and read with their parents. The parents were grateful to have information about the criminal justice system written in such a way that a child could easily understand.
The children did an excellent job testifying and seemed to be prepared for the experience. Thank you to everyone who produced such a beautiful and thoughtful book. I found it to be an invaluable tool in providing advocacy services to some very young victims."
It's horrible that these children have to face such a situation. But I'm encouraged that we helped these kids face their abusers in court.
Your contribution of $50, $500, or even $5,000 to NOVA today will make possible our efforts to continue serving those who've suffered from crime and disaster, through aiding our nationwide network of advocates and caregivers.
Of course, if these amounts don't sound quite right, we'd appreciate a gift of any size you thought appropriate. Can you make your most generous contribution to the National Organization for Victim Assistance today? NOVA is a 501 c3 non profit organization, so your gifts are tax-deductible.
Just click here to make a credit card donation through our secure site right away. Thank you in advance for your special contribution to help NOVA reach out to victims young and old.
Sincerely,
Will Marling
National Organization for Victim Assistance |
