McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center

These are difficult and troubling times for our community. The developments at Syracuse University are drawing media and community attention to child sexual abuse in ways we have never before seen in Central New York.  It is a time that demands the experience and leadership of the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center and all who support it.  I am writing to update you on how we are responding to this call.

Since these allegations emerged nearly two weeks ago, I have participated in numerous media interviews and community presentations regarding child abuse.  In each of these sessions, I have shared information about the signs and symptoms of child abuse and about what people need to do to report suspected abuse. Importantly, I emphasize that sexual abuse is a crime of secrecy.  It is estimated that only 10% of child sex abuse cases are ever reported, and 90% of the time, children are sexually abused by someone they know.  Given the circumstances unfolding, we have a unique window to raise awareness of this terribly sad fact.

Our website, www.mcmahonryan.org, has a variety of helpful information about child abuse, how to talk to your children about their bodies and about so much more. Please visit it and encourage others to go there too.

As part of our mission is to serve as a community educator, we plan to host a “Town Hall Meeting” soon after the first of the year focusing on “Child Sexual Abuse in Youth Athletics.”  A planning committee is being formed and will reach out to youth sports leaders. If you would like to be involved in the planning of this, please let me know.

Finally, as you may know, Juli and Jim Boeheim have been strong supporters of the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center for some time.  In fact, Juli Boeheim is an Honorary Chair of our recently launched Capital Campaign. In Jim’s initial reaction to the Bernie Fine investigation, we see the same shock from him, that we see everyday among family members and friends at our Child Advocacy Center when allegations of child abuse are first made. We believe this community crisis can help us turn this into a teachable moment for all. Based on what we know today, we hope and expect that our relationship with the Boeheims will continue, because Juli and Jim have been true believers in our mission.

We all expect this matter to continue in the news in the days and weeks ahead.  It is my hope that, in the end, this very visible focus on a crisis we all see every day will increase the level of support for the work that we do to assist victims and their families at their greatest time of need.

Please contact me with any issues or concerns you may have.  I can be reached at 315-701-2895 or jcecile@mcmahonryan.org.

Warm regards,

Julie Cecile
Executive Director