Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center, the nonprofit that coordinates the investigation and treatment of the most severe cases of child abuse in Mecklenburg County, is marking National Child Abuse Prevention Month (April) by welcoming Erin Merryn, the catalyst behind Erin’s Law, to Charlotte. Her message mirrors that of Pat’s Place: every person has the power to step up, speak up and take action to help stop child abuse.

Starting at age six, Merryn was sexually abused and assaulted by a family friend, then again as an early teen by a family member. Her personal experience drove her advocacy, education and career choice – she holds a masters degree in social work – and eventually to the creation of Erin’s Law.

Introduced in 2011 in Merryn’s home state of Illinois, Erin’s Law requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program that teaches: Students in grades pre K-12th grade, age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult.

Erin’s Law has since passed in 38 states, as of January 2023, but has yet to be adopted in North Carolina.

Merryn has dedicated her life to removing stigma and shame from sexual abuse and giving survivors the courage to speak up. She has been an outspoken advocate, appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as Good Morning America, CNN, The Today Show, and in USA Today, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, among many other media outlets.

Pat’s Place, Charlotte’s only child advocacy center, was established in 2005 to improve the system of protection for child victims of abuse. The Pat’s Place team coordinates the investigation and treatment of referred cases in a comfortable and child-friendly environment through forensic interviews, medical exams, counseling and advocacy support at no cost to a child’s family. The mission of Pat’s Place is to protect and heal children, unite key partners and engage the community to end child abuse. The center on East Boulevard is named for Patricia “Pat” Wolfe, an inspiring child advocate in the Charlotte community who passed away in May 2000.

Tickets and sponsorships for the Everyday Heroes Luncheon are still available here: patsplacecac.org.