Amanda s determination to do something to make a difference, and to validate her own experiences, fired Allan with enthusiasm. The Next Step initiative was born. Children are far more important than the rights of sex offenders. The Next Step has launched its campaign to establish a National Sex Offenders Register, and author a book that will effectively be a layman's guide to the issues surrounding, and the prevention of child sexual abuse. The purpose of the book and other multi-media presentations will be to educate the public in general, and men in particular, about the topic of child sexual abuse, with emphasis on the collateral damage caused by an abusive situation or relationship.
Public perception is that child sexual abuse is an isolated phenomenon.
Most people have no comprehension of the scope of damage caused to the victim, and consequently to society as a whole. The victim s suffering does not end with the actual abuse, it continues throughout the life of the child as an adult. AIDS is a natural extension of the issue of child sexual abuse, particularly in the instances of child prostitution where the children are not educated to the dangers of unprotected sex. The Next Step is appealing for survivors of child sexual abuse to come forward and tell their stories, in order that we may quantify and illustrate the collateral damage caused, and, in turn, educate those who do not or will not acknowledge the extent of the problem and its aftermath. The ultimate aim of the project is to petition the government to establish, operate and maintain a National Sex Offenders Register.