Choose strength, Cleveland kidnap victim urges hundreds

October 16, 2015 at 12:07a.m.

CANFIELD

Those who have endured sexual, physical, emotional and mental abuse – or any other type of adversity – have the ability to tap into their inner strength to transition from victim to survivor.

That concept may seem grounded in common sense, but it carries much more weight when Michelle Knight discusses it.

“You never know how strong you are until strength is the only choice you have,” Knight told those who came to Thursday’s conference, “The Juvenile Sex Offender: Research, Treatment and Legal Process,” at Drake’s Landing Banquet Center, 2217 W. Western Reserve Road.

Knight is author of the recent best-selling memoir, “Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed.” She was abducted by Ariel Castro on Aug. 21, 2002, in Cleveland. Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry also were kidnapped and held captive for years in his Cleveland house until all three escaped May 6, 2013.

Castro was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years before he was found dead in his cell after committing suicide.

An estimated 200 mental-health professionals, law-enforcement personnel, elected officials, clergy members and others attended the seminar.

The gathering was to better educate communities, social-services agencies, police officers and the public on potential warning signs as well as what to do when a young offender has been identified, said Jim DeLucia, a clinical counselor with the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center in Youngstown.

Along those lines, the justice center has had an adolescent sex-abuser program in place since 2008 to offer treatment and counseling, DeLucia said, noting that 85 percent to 90 percent of those who receive help do not re-offend.

The workshop also looked at several types of investigations of purported abuse, kinds of sexual abuse such as child pornography and human trafficking, techniques for interviewing purported victims, available resources and services for children and their families, the legal system’s role and treatment options.

The first things to recognize are that the vast majority of sexual-abuse victims know their offenders, that the crime cuts across all racial and economic boundaries, and that most offenders are highly adept at finding ideal victims, said Judge Theresa Dellick of Mahoning County Juvenile Court.

Another key component of helping those who offend is trying to reunify them with their families when possible. Family support is crucial in rehabilitation efforts, Judge Dellick explained.

Violence against children and sexual abuse were among the key topics Knight discussed during her presentation.

She also focused on finding constructive ways to cope with trauma, tapping into one’s inner strength, learning to release painful thoughts, encouraging people to use their voices and drawing on yourself as well as caseworkers, domestic-violence experts, therapists, doctors and others for healing.

“I want to give hope and inspiration and let them know they can get through anything if they put their mind to it,” Knight said. “I’m also there to tell them, ‘Don’t be ashamed. It’s not your fault.’”

It’s also vital that those who have endured trauma find what works for them, Knight continued, adding that she dealt with many painful childhood experiences by drawing and writing poetry and songs.

Also pivotal in Knight’s recovery after her captivity was equine therapy largely because talking to and working with her horse allowed her to learn to trust again. In addition, those experiences “helped me love myself,” she said.

Other helpful strategies are refraining from taking life for granted and knowing about God’s love, she said.

“Look at the things you do have and feel blessed,” Knight added.

Major priorities for the best-selling author include obtaining her general educational development diploma and continuing with writing, Knight said.

She said she plans to enter college to become a therapist for those who have suffered trauma and abuse.

During the question-and-answer portion, Knight encouraged counselors and other mental-health professionals to always be sensitive to each person’s situation.

She also advised them to be as educated as possible regarding those who have been sexually abused, addicted to drugs and victims of bullying.

One woman asked Knight about the most-difficult challenges she’s faced while adjusting to her newfound freedom.

“[Cell]phones. I hate phones,” she said to laughter.