14 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH | APRIL 2019 of the courtroom, as their relationship could never go back to the way it was. “Although I was on the stand for over three hours, I felt braver and stronger for facing him,” Jenna says. In the end, her perpetrator pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. In 2007, Jenna went back to The Children’s Advocacy Center to fulfill her Psychology internship hours. With a different perspective this time, she saw how prevalent child sexual abuse is and the impact it has on society. “It’s estimated there are 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse in America alone,” notes Jenna. “Texas State Representative Tan ParkerR-Dist.63,visitedtheAdvocacyCenterwithhiswife.Ishared my experience with him and addressed the need for prevention education. After our informal meeting, we started pursuing Jenna’s Law, a requirement for prevention education in schools.” Jenna’sLawwasintroducedandpassedinthe2009Texaslegislative session and received a unanimous vote from the House and the Senate. It requires that each school district adopt and implement a prevention policy that educates primary and secondary school students and teachers on how to recognize and report child sexual abuse. It was the first comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention education mandate in the U.S for both students and teachers. Now, over half of the states in the U.S. have adopted legislation reflecting the principles of Jenna’s Law education. “I know what it’s like to wear the shackles of shame that so often accompany this crime,” Jenna says. “When you break free from those shackles, you want others to be free, too. My hope is that survivors speak up, receive the services they need, and thrive.” Jenna has taken a profoundly negative, difficult and powerless experience and turned it into a powerful advocacy for others. She has received local and national support for her openness and honesty about the need for prevention. She partnered with Childhelp USA and their “Speak Up Be Safe” anti-victimization program for children and youth, a prevention curriculum aimed at stopping and preventing child abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, and cyberbullying. Since 2004, Jenna Quinn has spoken at over 100 Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country and has truly dedicated her life to “Stopping the Silence as a Voice for the Voiceless.” For her courage, grit, and tireless dedication to preventing child sexual abuse and promoting education and awareness, Good Life Family is honoring Jenna Quinn with our Very Inspiring Person Award. Last year, there were over 5,000 reports of child abuse made in Collin County. Join us for this Texas-Sized Fun event and help combat child abuse in our community. Featuring country music star To find out how to support this event by purchasing sponsorship packages or tickets, please visit www.caccollincounty.org/gala Joe Nichols 2019 Gala - ! Texas Sized Fun The Star | Frisco, TX 04.06.19 Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides safety, healing and justice to children victimized by abuse or neglect in Collin County. The Center works in collaboration with law enforcement and Child Protective Services to help children and their non-offending family members heal from the trauma of abuse. Since 1992, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County has offered free services to more than 65,000 abused and neglected children. To learn more, visit caccollincounty.org.