Local Author Publishes Again On Child Sexual Abuse.
“LOVERLY Sheridan has continued on her journey to raise self awareness in children with her latest and most hard hitting book; “Sandy’s Secret: Don’t touch, I won’t hush!
The winner of the 2015 Athena Young Professional Leadership Award in Florida has been making serious headway in Saint Lucia, regionally and internationally with her informative books aimed at empowering children to know themselves and their rights as well as to uplift others through friendship and kindness.
“Sandy’s Secret” was written to encourage parents to sit down and talk with their children about the threat of sexual abuse and she is now leading an international campaign in both the United States and the Caribbean about child sexual abuse awareness.
Sheridan is also campaigning about the importance of speaking out if children or someone they know should ever become a victim of the said issue. The story features a young girl who was inappropriately touched by a person of authority at camp. She felt it was her fault and was told “don’t tell”.
Sheridan said: “Through my research, I realized how taboo it was for parents to discuss this topic with their child. Most wanted to, but didn’t know how. I thought this would help start this much needed conversation, because so many children suffer in silence.”
The author continued, “Quite a few factors inspired me to write this book and start my campaign, the main one being that this is a recurring and pervasive issue in society, yet children as little as months old are victims. This is unacceptable! We can’t continue to be silent and brush the issue of child sexual abuse under the carpet. We are failing our children and encouraging a rape culture by doing so. One of my goals as a writer is to empower people to speak out loudly about the things that affect us and continue to decay our society.”
With her hopes and goals set high for this latest book, Sheridan said she aims to help in the fight to end rape culture. One of the ways in which she plans on doing so through her book is to send a message out to young victims and empower them to speak out if they have been or are being abused.
Sheridan expressed her wishes to take her work a step further by working with local organisations which deal with such issues: “I would love to join forces with the powers that be, local agencies, educators, parents and concerned community members to have a campaign addressing this issue. It requires a collective effort, and we must work together to protect our children.”
Sheridan revealed that the book is a spinoff to her third book; “Be a buddy, not a bully” as readers will get to meet the character Kate again. She said the third book was written to encourage children to be kind, compassionate and a buddy to their peers.
Following the success of “Be a buddy, not a bully” Sheridan continues to lead a global anti-bullying campaign to raise awareness on the issue.
When asked to reveal one of her biggest sources of inspiration to write, campaign and spread her positive messages, Sheridan told The VOICE that she finds it in her seven year old son: “My son Matthew is my greatest inspiration. He has a beautiful/unique mind and he continues to provide me with a window of how children interpret/view the world that we live in and how we as adults are failing them. He empowers me to live and speak my own truth, and encourage others to do the same.”
The VOICE also asked Sheridan for some insight as to what readers could expect from her in the future, she said: “No topic is off limits. I hope to continue to write books, and lead campaigns which address the issues affecting children.”
The author, motivational speaker, globetrotter and Founder/Director of L.E.A.P: Learning-Excelling-Applying-Persevering, Ms. Sheridan empowers young people to reach their full potential through education, discipline, hard work, and perseverance. Her first book, “A girl like me,” chronicles her journey of self-discovery while travelling the world.
Sheridan said as a child growing up in Saint Lucia, she had a dream to travel the world, but she did not think it would be possible since she was from a single parent household of six children. However, because of the values instilled in her by her mother and grandfather, she knew that with hard work and discipline, she could achieve her goals.
Although she endured many adversities, Sheridan said she was able to overcome each one and fulfilled her dreams. She is an alumna of Florida Atlantic University where she attained her Bachelor’s Degree, and later received her Master’s Degree from Griffith University in Australia. She has visited over fifty countries and has lived in a few fascinating countries such as Japan, China, Sweden and Australia.
“Sandy’s Secret: Don’t touch, I won’t hush!” became available on Amazon worldwide on January 26. For more information on Ms. Sheridan and her books, visit her website at www.loverlysheridan.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/loverlysheridanauthor.
