Banning Books Endangers Children and Increases Abuse
Many authors are writing the books that they wished they had access to when they were being abused and didn’t know what to do or how to get help -- or even know it wasn’t their fault.
The story of Utah banning 13 books statewide (12 of the books are by women, including Judy Blume and Margaret Atwood) continues to make international news.
What isn't being reported is that many of the books banned in Utah and targeted across the country deal with challenging topics, including sexual assault.
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According to the Utah Women and Leadership Project, child sexual abuse is a significant problem in Utah. 1 in 5 girls reported experiencing sexual violence in the last 12 months. 79% of sexual assault victims reported being assaulted when they were minors.
The fact is many of the books that are being removed from libraries teach children how to avoid sexual abuse. They also teach children about body autonomy and the right to say no. These books show children how to report abuse, especially in cases where the abuser is in a place of authority, such as a church, public safety officers, or family members.
Research attests that when children are given essential knowledge about Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) prevention, such as the maintenance of boundaries and personal space, the correct anatomical names for genitals, and information on how to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate touching, children are less likely to experience sexual abuse and more likely to disclose abuse they have already encountered.
These are the exact books they want banned!
Why wouldn't they want children to know how to avoid abuse or how to report it?
We have to protect our children by giving parents access to materials that help them teach their families about the reality of abuse.
That's why we made it easy to send an email to your legislators to stand up to book banners.
The impact of this abuse is significant. Children who experience sexual abuse are at least three times more likely to attempt suicide later in life, and as they get older, the risk of suicide attempts increases.
High school dropout rates may increase as much as 40% for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and they are 4 times more likely to develop symptoms of drug abuse. And it’s not like Utah legislators don’t know this. In fact, they were presented with this data in 2022 and even have it posted on their own website.
It is disturbing that even with full knowledge of the elevated rates of child sexual abuse in Utah and the long-lasting damage that follows children into adulthood, they pass laws banning the very books that help young people recognize threats and protect themselves and their siblings from abuse. They ban the books that give younger people the language to name what’s happening and the courage to speak to a trusted adult about it.
Many authors have shared that it was their own experience with abuse that led them to write their books. They are writing the books that they wished they had access to when they were being abused and didn’t know what to do or how to get help -- or even know it wasn’t their fault. They put out stories and information to help kids and teens protect themselves.
And yet, in Utah, many legislators continue to call these books obscene and pornographic, based on their contention that small passages taken out of context may be uncomfortable to listen to when read in public meetings or because the excerpts are too spicy to read on TV during primetime.
As if their level of discomfort with something being read aloud in a public meeting is the standard by which a healthy society determines whether to ban books that may save our children from the pain of abuse. We should expect more from our elected leaders.
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EveryLibrary is proud to offer continuing support Let Utah Read, a local network of concerned citizens and community organizations that has organized to advocate against book banning and in support of libraries and readers.
As a founding coalition partner, EveryLibrary is supporting Utah’s anti-censorship efforts in a number of meaningful ways.
Our staff serve on the leadership team and manage much of the coalition's web, social media, and email communications.
We have helped to organize, promote, fund, and staff numerous community and awareness-building events, including two highly successful read-ins at the Utah State Capitol.
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