Innocence in Danger (France) has just launched a virtual wall and is urging victims of sexual abuse to write upon it and tell their stories of trauma—anonymously. The wall is actually a blog called “Le déni ça suffit”. It is an open communication portal designed to provide the victimized a pathway out of a world of isolation and self-imposed silence to help and healing.
“We aim to fight the apathy and visible indifference within our communities. Proof in numbers will demonstrate to authorities that sexual abuse is not a small phenomenon concerning a minor population segment,” said Homayra Sellier, Founder and President of Innocence in Danger, a worldwide movement for the protection of children against all forms of sexual abuse
According to Sellier, at last count, France has identified four million victims of incest and sexual abuse; with a shocking proportion of the assaults stemming from the hands of non-family members and trusted caregivers. But as appalling as the statistics are, the institutions designed to protect the injured are unwilling to operate accordingly.
After dedicating more than 16 years of her life to child protection, Sellier said that she is now witnessing a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel. “I believe that we are beginning to see a turning point and that society as a whole is finally waking up to these dreadful crimes.”
For decades, victims of abuse have been silenced, either by their own fear or the institutions designed to protect them.
“It seemed that we had reached a point of no-return and we were losing the war against evil. But it appears that finally the world is waking up to these horrible crimes and speaking out,” said Sellier.
“From schools, to churches—institutions dedicated to children with disabilities and of all places the army—victims are finally speaking out about the crimes against them. Innocence in Danger has been the recipient of dozens of revelations, and I am witnessing an increasing cry for help every single day,” said Sellier.
Court cases in 2016 are at record high and Innocence in Danger plans to support as many victims as possible every step of the way. “Finally the silence has been broken by the truth,” said Sellier.
According to Sellier, “The war against human slavery is still far from over. Since the beginning of 2016, ten-thousand migrants, many of them minors, have vanished from their family and have been sucked into the vicious human trade machine. This is a clear indication that the criminal networks dedicated to human trafficking are very active; as we continue to denounce it. When it seemed that we were losing the battle against change, with society simply turning their heads from sexual abuse and human trade, evidence shows that the public is finally waking up and not putting up with it any longer! There are signals of non-acceptance of child abuse! The winds of change are now at our back!”
For years, Sellier has traveled the globe fighting for the rights of the victims of sex crimes while holding government agencies to task and legal institutions’ feet to the fire in the necessary disposition of the guilty. Further, Sellier’s efforts are far from part time, but seemingly every day of her existence.
When asked what she is doing this day that might be considered newsworthy, Sellier smiled and provided a brief itinerary: “On this day I am visiting refugee camps to see the kids and bring art and support to them. So that their brains may fill up with beauty rather than its contrary! That is—if you consider this news?”
Homayra Sellier is the president of Innocence in Danger, a Worldwide Movement for Protection of Children against all forms of sexual abuse. Sellier lives in Switzerland but travels constantly to France and the UK. Sellier also said that she is now the subject of the highly acclaimed suspense novel entitled, “Illegitimate Advantage” (2016)
