By Gerri Miller
Special to the Elmore/Autauga News
It was a small but determined group that rallied Saturday against child sex predators and called for updated and stronger laws for sexual offenses against children. The awareness rally was held at the Pratt Park Amphitheatre despite overcast skies.
The event was led by a Kandi Batrez, a Prattville mother of three children who said she will do everything she can to speak to Alabama legislators to get stronger laws.
Batrez said it is more important now than ever to educate your children about sex and sexual abuse. “It is very uncomfortable, but you have to do it,” she said. She said it is important that background checks be done for those seeking to volunteer for youth activities.
Batrez has a Facebook group called “Alabamians against Predators” where up to date information can be found.
One of Saturday’s rally speakers was human trafficking expert David Humphrey. Humphrey said there is a disconnect between law enforcement and people. “Only eleven percent of law enforcement officers in America have any human trafficking training,” he said. He said only two percent of sexual abuse cases ever get reported.
Humphrey shared a story about a 24-year-old man who befriended a 10-year-old girl. “Cousin Joe was around the house for about two years. About six months after the child’s 12th birthday, he asked the child’s mom if he could take her to Montgomery to get some clothes and school supplies.”
The man drove the child to a Montgomery hotel where over one weekend she was raped by more than 30 men.
“Many people think these children are kidnapped, but that doesn’t happen as much here as in areas such as Central America,” Humphrey said. “In 80 percent of the cases here, the victim knows the trafficker.”
Humphrey said many times traffickers use other girls to lure the victims. He said it may be an older girl the victim might look up to or a Romeo-type guy who is watching the food court at the mall.
“He finds the girl who is a third wheel in her group and lacks self-confidence and goes straight for her,” Humphrey said.
Batrez stressed the importance of knowing what your children are doing at all times and of asking questions. “These children are so scared to tell anybody. Find out why that children who spent the night at your house doesn’t want to go home,” she said.
Batrez’s group is addressing electronic tracking for sex offenders, self-defense, and harsher sentences for offenders. One area she and her group will address is Alabama’s sexual predator laws. She said her group is focused on changing laws to protect the victim instead of the predator.
One of Saturday’s guests spoke from his heart about a subject that is deeply personal to him. Jim (not his real name) was sexually abused by someone leading his Sunday School class.
“I was on drugs for years,” he said. “I didn’t cope well, and I was mad at God because it happened at church,” he said.
Jim said he didn’t tell anyone about the abuse until he was in his 30s. A girlfriend who had also been molested as a child recognized the signs and asked him what had happened to him.
Jim now helps others who have gone through similar assaults “They believe they can’t tell anybody because they are men,” he said. Jim said he had night terrors for years.
One day Jim decided he wasn’t going to take it anymore. “I was on guard all of the time,” he said. “I finally decided to take a stand and make sure child sexual abuse isn’t going to happen when I’m around.
“These are God’s children,” Jim said. “We need his other children to look out for those without good parenting.” Jim said parents should install apps so that they can always locate their children.
“Try to do more,” Jim said. “If you volunteer, that means someone who is evil can’t do it. If there are unattended children around, attend to them.’
For more information, contact Batrez through her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AlabamiansAgainstPredators.
“Stand for Our Children” Rally To Be Held Sunday in Millbrook
Another rally will be held tomorrow Sept. 20 in Millbrook. A Millbrook photographer has planned a “Stand for Our Children Rally” for Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Village Green Park in Millbrook.
Stephanie Williams said she was trying to find a way to raise awareness and raise money for a related organization she is following called Operation Underground Railroad. She is also doing a fund raiser photo shoot on Sunday from 8-10:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. There is a minimum $25 donation for the photos and proceeds will go to Operation Underground Railroad.
Williams said she is not part of an organization, but “just one tiny person trying to make a difference in this evil world with the help of our community.”
“As a mother of one little girl and soon to be stepmother to two more girls, I want to protect them at all costs,” she said.
The event can be found on Facebook by searching for Stand for Our Children Rally.
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