Child Rights Advocates Launch Powerful Documentary Calling for Public Child Abuse Registry
On Tuesday night, April 8, a group of child rights activists released a 122-minute documentary titled “ Voices for the Voiceless Advocacy Documentary” that premiered on YouTube. Advocates from the United States and Canada, including Donna M. Kshir, Lee Cougardawn Roberts, Michael Skinner, and Laurie Ann Smith, came together to share their experiences, discuss how they became voices for those whose voices have been silenced, and highlight the ongoing struggles that many still face.
Roberts opens the documentary with a brief introduction, followed by Smith, who also served as the show’s producer. Smith, a child abuse and second-hand domestic violence survivor, captivated the audience with her moving story of survival and how her experiences inspired her to fight fiercely for the protection of children. She spoke of her husband, Cecil, their private lifestyle, and his unwavering support of her healing journey.
Musician, drummer, and advocate Michael Skinner of Michael Skinner Music spoke about the abuse and trauma he experienced in his childhood and how it would take a toll on him in 1992, having a breakdown in 1993 that would later be a breakthrough. He would learn that medications that helped others only made him numb and caused suicidal ideation. He acted on it three separate times over several years. He realized he needed to stop if he wanted to continue with life, so he weaned himself off the medications, and he has never had a suicidal attempt on his life again. The stigma of mental health cut him off from the people he loved and cared about, by their choice, not his. After attending peer support groups, he would later become a voice to break the stigma.
Roberts would re-enter, speaking of her three-year-old son, who went missing. A few hours later, he would be rescued by two good Samaritans. This would bring up old memories she hadn’t yet healed from, but it would be a pivotal turning point to assist in locating missing children. It would be the start of four decades, and Roberts would be a voice for the voiceless.
Next, a clip from when Kshir, Roberts, and Smith sat down with PA State Representative Aaron Bernstine (R) of the 8th Legislative District, representing Butler and Lawrence County, on The Who Issue to discuss his support of Kshir’s idea of a public child abuse registry mimicking Megan’s Law. Rep. Bernstine would show his support for a public registry and thank the trio for their massive amount of time and effort in advocating for kids.
Rep. Bernstine told the ladies, “First and foremost, let me thank you, three ladies, for taking the time not only today, but the massive amount of time and effort that you have expended in order to advocate on behalf of the kids. It’s very important to me. It’s very important to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It’s very important to my family, so first of all, a big round of applause and thank you guys. Give yourselves a pat on the back for helping every day and making the world a little bit better place.”
Rep. Bernstine is committed to Kshir’s idea of a public registry for individuals convicted of child abuse. This new registry would ensure information about child abusers is easily accessible to the public, empowering communities across this great Commonwealth.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment, free from harm,” said Bernstine. “By creating this registry, we are taking an important step toward protecting our children and giving communities the tools they need to prevent abuse. The public has a right to know who is in their neighborhoods, allowing them to take steps to keep their families safe.”
The child abuse registry known as House Bill 849 would require individuals convicted of certain child abuse offenses, such as aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of a minor and kidnapping, to register with the Pennsylvania State Police providing up-to-date information, including job status, residency, vehicle details, phone numbers and aliases. The registry would function similarly to Megan’s Law, ensuring communities are informed and protecting their children more effectively.
The documentary’s premiere coincides with Kshir’s 30th advocacy anniversary. In the documentary, Kshir shares how she started at a local level and progressed to a larger platform with a Michigan nonprofit organization, where she served as president for 10 years. It also shares how her work with Conner’s Law—Kentucky, her goal for a public child abuse registry in Pennsylvania, and how it would change her outlook, even when it came to protecting her grandchildren.
Smith closes the documentary with some encouragement for a better tomorrow. She hopes that by participating in this documentary, sharing their stories and the stigma behind child abuse, childhood sexual abuse, mental health awareness, human trafficking, missing children, and petitioning lawmakers for stronger, harsher laws for people who abuse and kill children.
Watch Voices for the Voiceless Advocacy Documentary on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIDBee_xhI
Submitted by Lexi Howard
