The Silence is Killing Us:What the Black Community Must Do to Protect Our Children from Abuse (Educate Don't Perpetuate)

This April, we’re calling out the silence. Sexual abuse against our children is real — and it’s happening in our homes, churches, and schools. Our children are screaming out to be heard. Join the Educate Don't Perpetuate Campaign

Educate and Don't Perpetuate:

We don’t talk about it enough. Not at the dinner table. Not in the church pews. Not even when the signs are staring us in the face.

As Black folks, we’ve learned to stay quiet to protect reputations, keep the peace, or avoid shame.But at what cost?

During Child Abuse Awareness Month, I’m not here to give you a history lesson —I’m here to challenge you. To educate. To call you out and call you up.

Sexual abuse of our children is a crisis — and our silence is part of the problem.This blog is a call to action for my community — to stop covering, ignoring, or spiritualizing away abuse.It’s time to educate, don’t perpetuate.

When We Perpetuate: The Cost of Silence

Let’s be clear — silence is not neutral. When we don’t speak up, we give permission and perpetuate lies. We allow abuse to fester in the dark.And that silence can be deadly.

Think about the case of Larry Nassar — the former USA Gymnastics doctor who abused hundreds of girls.One of the earliest reports was made in 1997, but it wasn’t formally addressed until over 20 years later.The silence from adults who "didn’t want to get involved" meant that children suffered who didn’t have to.

Now, bring that closer to home:What about the young Black girl who tried to tell her aunt that "Unc" made her uncomfortable, and the aunt replied,“Girl, stop lying.”

How many of us have dismissed a child’s discomfort instead of investigating it?When we don’t believe our children, we teach them that silence is survival.But silence doesn’t protect her — it protects the predator.

Educate with the Facts

• According to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), in 2021, an estimated 558,899 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the U.S.

• Black children are overrepresented: They made up 13.6% of the U.S. child population, but 20.3% of abuse victims.

• Nearly 78% of perpetrators are parents or relatives.

• Sexual abuse is underreported: Many survivors don’t disclose until adulthood — or never at all.

  
  

  A Case That Could Have Been Prevented

  In 2023, James Weems Jr., a retired Baltimore police officer, was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing multiple children at his wife’s daycare.

  People had suspicions. But no one stepped forward soon enough.

  Imagine if one adult had said something sooner.One parent who didn’t brush off their child’s sudden fear of daycare.One co-worker who put children’s safety before "the brotherhood."

  Our silence is not just inaction — it’s complicity.

  Read the case here via People Magazine

  
  

  Questions to Make You Think and Not Perpetuate

  • If your niece came to you and said she didn’t feel safe around a family member — would you listen?

  • Have you ever suspected abuse and said nothing because it "wasn’t your business"?

  • Would you report someone you love if you knew they were hurting a child?

    
    

  What You Can Do

  • Believe children the first time.

  • Know the signs: sudden behavior changes, inappropriate sexual knowledge, nightmares, fear of certain adults.

  • Report suspected abuse. You don’t need proof — just concern.

  📞 National Child Abuse Hotline:1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) – 24/7, anonymous, confidential

  📞 Texas Abuse Hotline:1-800-252-5400 or report online at txabusehotline.org

Final Word

We can’t heal what we hide.We can’t break cycles we won’t acknowledge.

Protecting our children means holding each other accountable — even when it’s uncomfortable.This April, let’s choose courage over comfort.

Let’s educate, not perpetuate.