15 Comments
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Marina's avatar

Being an educator, this makes my skin crawl!!! Your courage in speaking out is truly powerful, Claudia!! It takes immense strength to share such an intimate and personal story and I am sure you will inspire many others to follow, breaking the chains of fear. You deserve support, healing and justice! Much love!

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Claudia Barker's avatar

Thank you, Marina. Please encourage anyone you know who has a story they'd like to share to submit it on the minorscantconsent.com website.

Hope you and your family are happy and well. And congrats on the new job! They are lucky to get you.

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Elisa Speranza (she/her)'s avatar

Bravely and beautifully told, Claudia. Your willingness to speak up will undoubtedly save other young people from a similar fate.

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Claudia Barker's avatar

Thank you, Elisa. I hope so.

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Michele Monette's avatar

Claudia, thank you so much for your vulnerability and bravery. Last year I watched a documentary about a high school teacher who sexually abused numerous students and how gravely it affected them. It brought to memory my eighth grade science class, where I am now certain our teacher sexually abused many of the boys in our class. This was in the mid 1970s, when we just didn't discuss sexual abuse openly. Unfortunately, your title says it all it happens all the time. We have to discuss these things in order to make change.

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Claudia Barker's avatar

Thanks, Michele. I'm posting recent stories in the media about similar crimes on my MinorsCantConsent website, along with others' stories about their own experiences. There is strength in community.

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Katherine's avatar

Powerfully written, Claudia. I keep seeing that little girl that you were in high school who was manipulated by an adult.

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Claudia Barker's avatar

Thanks, Kathi. Please share with anyone you feel may benefit from telling their own stories.

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Christiane Geisler's avatar

Thank you Claudia for writing so clearly about this important topic. I have come across a good children book about consent, that I share with my 3 years old granddaughter. Are you aware of other books for children or maybe teens about the more subtle subject of dealing/resisting to these feelings of unease in front of adults having power over them, and then the issue of pleasure? Healthy vs unhealthy pleasure? A concerned grandma who was also never educated on these topics...

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Michele Monette's avatar

Can you give me the name of the book about consent? I would like to share it with my three-year-old granddaughter.

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Claudia Barker's avatar

Thanks for reading it, Christiane. I am not aware of children's books on this topic but I will research it and get back to you. Warm regards from New Orleans.

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Evelyn Jordan's avatar

Thank you Claudia, brave woman that you are

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Claudia Barker's avatar

Thanks, Evelyn, for this and for helping me raise my artist girl. Please share with anyone who might benefit from telling their story.

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Nancy Cottrill's avatar

Thank you for being courageous and honest so that other young people can benefit and hopefully be aware of this danger.

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Claudia Barker's avatar

Thanks, Nancy. I know my story has already helped one person come forward, with good results. Hoping for many more.

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