CBS's Criminal Minds Takes on Child Sexual Abuse

Tonight it just so happened that I was home to catch the latest episode of Criminal Minds on CBS.  On this episode of Criminal Minds, Morgan, played by actor Shemar Moore, and his Behavioral Analysis Unit team (B.A.U.) are investigating some murders taking place in his home town of Chicago.  Upon one of the murder scenes, a message is left by the killer, "Look up to the sky." This statement immediately triggers a flashback in Morgan's memory.  Morgan gathers all of the fellow investigators back to headquarters and explain to them what this statement means to him.  Morgan begins telling everyone the story of how his football coach, Carl Buford, played by actor Julius Tennon, sexually molested him at a cabin that Buford took him to.  Buford would tell Morgan to take it like a man and look up to the sky and proceed to molest Morgan.

Upon further investigations and interviews, Morgan finally confronts Buford whom is now in prison for  multiple murders.  Morgan needs to find out who else besides himself did Buford molest based on the statement left at the crime scene.  At first Buford refuses, but Morgan plays the hand that he was dealt and tells Buford that if he doesn't give him the names of those he molested, the other prisoners will know the real reason he is in prison.  Buford reaction changes as he is well aware of what happens to child molesters in prison and provides Morgan with the information.

Eventually, Morgan starts putting the pieces to the puzzle together and finds the killer of the multiple recent murders.  The man accused of the killings was also a victim of Buford when he was younger.

In the end as B.A.U. brings in the accused killer, the press are all over awaiting statements.  Morgan takes over speaking to the press as another colleague states that the reason the man committed the murders was because he was a victim of child sexual abuse.  Morgan makes it clear to the press and everyone listening that a vast majority of child sexual abuse victims do not become perpetrators of sexual abuse nor criminals.  He knows because he himself was molested by Buford.  Morgan goes on to say that most victims go on in life and become courages and wanting to help others.

As April is Child Abuse Awareness month, I applaud CBS and the writers of Criminal Minds for taking on this important subject matter.  This is an epidemic that plagues our young children each day.  1 in every 4 girls and 1 in every 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Many of those children do not disclose sexual abuse.  Many children grow up to become adults with serious emotional and psychological problems affecting their daily lives.  I am not sure what the answer is to deplete this problem, but raising awareness is key, along with letting people know that they can overcome this. Yes, this was a fictional story, however, it is the reality for many children and adults.

I am doing my part in raising awareness and providing support.  If you are in the Rochester, NY area and are affected from the remnants of child sexual abuse, please join me on April 27, 2013, for "An Evening of Support."  This event is geared to provide support for those still affected by child sexual abuse. Please email me for further details (lakeisha@uniquevizunz.com) or see flier below.