Helping Young Sex Abuse Victims

It’s jarring to meet them at the hospital: so young, so small, so vulnerable. They are victims of rape or sexual molestation, many younger than 12, some as young as 2. Their assailant might be a neighbor, baby sitter, family friend or relative.

Four years ago, Linda Shestock left a job as a chief financial officer to become executive director of Project Sister Sexual Assault, a group that helps these young people.

“I had such respect for the work they do,” Shestock said, “and I have such a place in my heart for children.”

The group received a $15,000 grant from last year’s Los Angeles Times Holiday Campaign. During this holiday season, The Times is featuring agencies and programs that have benefited from its annual fund-raising effort.

A stunning 50% of the 250 victims that Project Sister’s advocates met at the hospital last year were minors. Some were boys. Most were women or girls, their assailants typically men known to the victims.

“Sexual assault at any age is a violation of the most intimate part of oneself,” Shestock said. “Children often feel very betrayed, very confused. How society supports the victim makes a difference.”

This is where Project Sister Sexual Assault comes in. From the moment the group is contacted by a hospital, the police or through the 24-hour Spanish-English hotline -- (909) 626-4357 or (626) 966-4155 -- an advocate is sent to accompany the victim through the forensic exam and police questioning. Advocates speak several languages, including Cantonese, Persian, Hindi and Mandarin.

This sexual assault response team is only the first service offered in the program’s 700-square-mile service area, which includes the eastern San Gabriel Valley, Pomona Valley and eastern San Bernardino County, encompassing communities such as Azusa, Fontana, Glendale, West Covina and Whittier.

Victims receive counseling, therapy and referrals for long-term needs.

The group also works to prevent sexual violence through its education programs. At schools, advocates tell teenagers how to avoid being victimized -- or becoming a victimizer.

“It’s important for teenage boys to understand what sexual consent is, to tell them, ‘You don’t have to force someone into sex just to feel OK in your group,’ ” Shestock said.

Sometimes, teenage victims are silenced by fear, and it’s up to others to report the assault.

“They say, ‘I know a girl who was raped, but she’s afraid to tell anybody,’ ” Shestock said. “Rape in adolescence is something the girl keeps hidden. Old myths and stigmas about sexual assault victims become attached to her, such as ‘She’s not really telling the truth; it was her fault; she dressed the wrong way.’ ”

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