Saturday 9 July 2016

Who will speak for the voiceless in times of abuse?

Social worker hopes to empower girls around the globe to find their voices


While young children, girls in particular, are often warned of the dangers of strangers, sometimes it is family members or trusted individuals who harm them. When entangled in a web of abuse, having an advocate and a path forward are extremely important.

Lorraine Sherman Mason, whose career has been in social work, understands the global need for young girls to be encouraged to speak up for help and educated on the steps to take when they find themselves in harmful situations, such as sexual abuse. 

“Based on my experience in the field, I know it’s hard to know what to do in certain situations, which is why I want these young girls to be aware and educated,” Mason said. “A recent trip to Africa and Hong Kong further drove home the point that girls all over the world were subjected to similar abuse at the hands of many – strangers and family alike.”

Mason works with foster homes, nonprofits, private agencies and through volunteer work to make children aware of the importance of keeping safe, recognizing unsafe situations, identifying advocates and speaking up against perpetrators and enablers.

Her new book, “Who Will Speak for Me?,” presents a variety of scenarios and possible solutions, including examples of people to trust, to not only illustrate to young readers the importance of speaking up, but to also show adults that the responsibility lies with everyone to listen to, encourage and protect the young girls of the world.

“It is incumbent upon us all to keep a watchful eye, be accountable, and be advocates for the safety and well-being of those least able to protect themselves, girls and children in general,” Mason said. “I hope this book will help give all girls a voice and teaches them to speak up for their safety, no matter who or what is harming them.”


“Who Will Speak for Me?”
By Lorraine Sherman Mason
ISBN: 978-1-4808-2270-2
Available in softcover, hardcover, e-book
Available on AmazonBarnes & Noble and Archway

About the author
Lorraine Sherman Mason worked tirelessly as a licensed clinician and advocate for children in the Texas foster care system after earning her master’s degree in social work. She assisted in the opening of Central Pennsylvania's first grief center for children and their families. Currently living in Bellaire, Texas, Mason is a married mother of three, a blogger, freelance writer, a Time contributing editor and author of “Sassywood Man and Other Folklores

1 comment:

  1. My dear ones. Let's be honest with each other. Most of the problems of girls are that they don't know what to do with themselves. So they start to sad plus to suffer depression plus to create problems to their surrounding people. A good example is my younger sister, seriously I'm proud of her, cuz she works a freelance writer. Cuz it turned out that freelance academic writers needed . And she's all just super, no problem, she has money and she doesn't cry while sitting by the window) Forgive me for my revelation, maybe if it's too rude sounded

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