Our target audience is other men who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. This is also relevant information for other men in other parts of the country who attended Boys Clubs, men who were members of other youth organizations, such as the Boy Scouts, YAFL, YMCA, etc.
Our target audience is pretty wide, from young people to older people, especially the way the book is presented. These individuals will likely already have a direct connection with the topic or an interest in seeing that something is done about the issues presented involving child sexual abuse. We would target the legal and social work communities as well.
We plan on marketing and promoting our book in a number of ways.
We created a website, as well as established a social media presence to promote the book and connect with potential readers, and other readers they know.
We will be sending out review copies of our book to reviewers, bloggers, and other influencers in the social work and public policy fields.
We will schedule book signings and events around the state to meet potential readers and promote the book this way as well.
We will plan lectures and interviews at libraries, bookstores and other venues.
We want to get this book in the hands of as many readers as possible. We want to reach out to those individuals whose lives have been impacted by childhood sexual abuse and be a source of help.
We were inspired to write our story after viewing the Hulu documentary, “Leave No Trace”.
“Leave No Trace” investigates a century-long cover-up as 82,000 men step forward with claims of sexual abuse, exposing the failure of the Boy Scouts of America to protect their young Scouts. They spoke about healing and moving on from a victim to a survivor.
We will be working with filmmakers to create our own documentary based on our book. The book and documentary will promote each other. The Boys Scouts of America is a largely recognized organization and their name created interest in the documentary, “Leave No Trace”. We believe the same effect will happen when exposing the failures of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in our book and documentary.
We are communicating with Katy Duhigg, the NM State Legislator who sponsored SB126 during the 2023 Legislative session. The bill was written to remove the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. It made it through committees, but the session ended before it could continue forward. Ms. Duhigg is committed to getting this bill passed. We will work with these legislators and discuss how the book can be instrumental in convincing Legislators, and the Governor, that the trauma of childhood sexual abuse lingers into adulthood.
Julie is a member of a women’s group, Mothers of Sexually Abused Children (MOSAC). The founder of this group, Mel Langston, Licensed Professional Counselor, created a website and private Facebook group specifically for mothers of sexually abused children. She wrote the book, “What Do I Do Now? A Survival Guide for Mothers of Sexually Abused Children. Ms. Langston has agreed to read the book and provide feedback. Julie is communicating with her. Julie has also shared some of her story with the mothers who are members of MOSAC. There is great interest for Julie to share the book as soon as it is published. MOSAC moms are eager for information on how to deal with this problem of childhood sexual abuse.
CHILD USA is another organization that we are following and has provided valuable information and resources. It is a nonprofit think tank for children devoted to ending child abuse and neglect, and it leads the way for statute of limitations (SOL) reform in the United States and around the globe. CHILD USA produces evidence-based solutions and information needed by policymakers, organizations, media, and society to increase child protection and the common good.
CHILD USA is eager to help promote the book and has been supportive and encouraging in our pursuit to get this book published. Once the book is published, they have asked for a copy to include in their Hamilton Library on their website.
The Hamilton Library is an expertly curated collection of materials on child sex abuse for everyone. The Library was stocked to inform and support victims, parents, teachers, clergy, researchers, attorneys, doctors, the media, and youth-serving organizations. For survivors, there is a well-being section.