Childhood sexual molestation is one of the most serious and yet, misunderstood subjects in the world today. Many are under the misconception that childhood sexual abuse is perpetrated by some hideous monster who lurks in the darkness, and that the actual event is always so brutal and painful that the victim would have to tell. Unfortunately, the exact opposite is true.

In over ninety (90) percent of all childhood sexual molestation cases the perpetrator is someone close to the child and someone who is known and trusted by the family. The child is groomed by the abuser for a long period of time so that when sexual advances are made, trust and admiration have already been established between the perpetrator and the victim. Sadly, the signs are most always there, but no one is interested in looking or listening. We’re looking for a monster, when the monster is a friend.

I find this true today as I travel the world sharing my life story of surviving childhood physical and sexual abuse at the hands of my own father and countless others that he introduced me to. The simple fact is…it would be easier for me to get inside the 21st Century American church with a bomb than it is to get past the religious guardians of the church doors regarding a life story such as mine. It has prompted many to ask, “Why do you even bother trying?”

The reason is really quite simple. No matter what church or venue I am speaking in, no matter the size or denomination of religious affiliation of the chruch, I already know that three (3) out of every five (5) people sitting under the sound of my voice are either perpetrators or victims of this unimaginable horror. I know this because of the overwhelming response to the altar calls I give after opening up the secrets of my own life story, and from the thousands of emails, letters and phone calls I receive from countless others who could not find the courage to step forward in public. The statistics are overwhelmingly astounding to me, and I have lived through the horrors of sexual abuse as a child. I can only imagine how others who are oblivious to this great tragedy must feel.

Parents and guardians of small children need to wake up and heed the warning signs of childhood sexual molestation. I will list a few things that most always apply to a child who has been molested by someone close to the family.

     1. If your child says they were touched inappropriately, rest assured…they were touched inappropriately. 
         No matter what lame excuse the relative or friend who has been accused by your child,
         gives you…always trust the child!

    2. The following is a list of things to look for in your child. They need not experience all, or some of them.
        If your child shows even a couple of these warning signs it is cause to look further into the situation.

•    Waking up during the night sweating, screaming or shaking with nightmares.
•    Masturbating excessively.
•    Showing unusually aggressive behavior toward family members, friends, toys, and pets.
•    Complaining of pain while urinating or having a bowel movement, or exhibiting symptoms of genital 
      infections such as offensive odors, or symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease.
•    Having symptoms indicating evidence of physical traumas to the genital or anal area.
•    Beginning wetting the bed.
•    Experiencing a loss of appetite or other eating problems, including unexplained gagging.
•    Showing unusual fear of a certain place or location.
•    Developing frequent unexplained health problems.
•    Engaging in persistent sexual play with friends, toys or pets.
•    Having unexplained periods of panic, which may be flashbacks from the abuse.
•    Regressing to behaviors too young for the stage of development they already achieved.
•    Initiating sophisticated sexual behaviors.
•    Indicating a sudden reluctance to be alone with a certain person.
•    Engaging in self-mutilations, such as sticking themselves with pins or cutting themselves.
•    Withdrawing from previously enjoyable activities, like school or school performance change.
•    Asking an unusual amount of questions about human sexuality.

Many believe that if their child had been touched inappropriately by someone close to the family, their child would tell them immediately. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In most all of these types of incidents the child has been groomed for a long period of time by the trusted family member or friend, and feels close to this person. They have also most likely been persuaded to believe that something very bad will happen to them and to the trusted friend if they ever tell.

There is also the fact that not all sexual molestation feels bad. The child is experiencing new sensations in their body, even though the entire process by which these feelings have been introduced are all part of a sexual violation that is both cruel and criminal. Therefore, the child will often feel guilty because they find themselves seeking closer contact with the person who makes them feel good about themselves and “feel good”, by way of these newfound sexual sensations.

You are not on the lookout for a masked rapist who breaks into your house in the middle of the night and kidnaps your child. You are looking often times at someone who can quote the 23rd Psalm and sing Amazing Grace with the best of them. Sadly…I know this firsthand.

This is why I spend countless hours of my life devoted to sharing my life story of childhood sexual abuse, deliverance from homosexuality and even my healing from AIDS with churches all over the world. It is not because my message is popular with the leaders of the institutionalized church, for it most certainly is not. It is not to get rich and famous. If that were the case I should be asking myself, “How has that been working for you?”

I do it because I have lived in the horrors of where many in the church are hiding. I understand the shame, and I know the lies of the enemy that have kept the very redeemed of God trapped in their prison of personal shame. I do it because I understand the deep breath of freedom that can only be found through the transparency of truth God brings to others through my life story.

I do it because…If I don’t speak out…who will?

To schedule Danny to minister at your event or service, simply click BOOKING at the top of the website and contact REBECA SEITZ of Glass Road Public Relations for Danny's available dates.