Residents March To 'Be The Voice', End Sexual Abuse Of Children

BOLINGBROOK, IL — After facing a traumatic incident as a child, this Bolingbrook resident wants to ensure that the children in the community are safe from sexual predators. To raise awareness about sexual abuse, Rose Spielman is hosting a walk from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.

"This has been put on my heart a long time ago, but I was not strong enough then," Spielman said. "Now God has asked me to be the voice for those that don't have one."

The group will walk with signs to alert people regarding possible predators in the area. They will march down Lily Cache lane, all the way up to the Bolingbrook High School, and will make their way back to the Bolingbrook Town Center. There will also be a moment of prayer for all the children that are missing and to keep "our children and our community safe," she said.

Predators who target children often operate under the garb of a friendly countenance, or are usually someone the young ones trust. As kids are confined to their homes because of the coronavirus pandemic, it is imperative that adults look out for things that are amiss.

"I was abused as a child and sexual predators are not always a stranger. It does not only happen when a child or young person gets taken, it happens inside the house as well by a father, a mother, a friend or any other family member," Spielman said. "This is why I feel so strongly about this subject. I have spoken to several people about this walk and not too many even knew that we could have child sexual predators living so close to us."

The Living Water Community Church has agreed to lend their parking lot for participants and Spielman said she has also spoken to village officials. Everyone will be required to wear a mask and socially distance.

She said this is the first time she is organizing a walk, and has spent countless hours preparing signs because if people are aware, they "just might be saving someone’s child or someone’s life."

"Our children look to us for safety and protection. We should make them aware of the dangers of talking to a stranger," Spielman said. "They should always ask for help. But, most importantly, they should speak up. And as parents and grandparents, we should not be silent either. We need to talk about this and be loud."