Erin Merryn

Biography

At age 11, she suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a teenage cousin. Her diary detailing her abuse, recovery, relapse and reconciliation was published in book form as "Stolen Innocence". [cite news |title=Survivor Recalls Alleged Incest in Book |url=http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=1987102 |work=Good Morning America |publisher=ABC News |date=2006-05-21 ]

She has become a crusader for sexual-abuse victims, and actively encourages others to speak out about their own survival.

Education

She graduated from Schaumburg High School in 2004 [cite news |title=Schaumburg High School Class of 2004.(Neighbor) |work=Daily Herald |location=Arlington Heights, IL |date=2004-06-12 |quote=Senior Erin Merryn publishes first book "Stolen Innocence" . ] and earned a Bachelor's in Social Work from Western Illinois University in 2008. [cite news |title=Campus Close-Ups |url=http://www.pioneerlocal.com/schaumburg/news/1095167,sc-campus-080708-s1.article |work=Schaumburg Review |date=2008-08-07 |quote=The following Schaumburg students at Western Illinois University have earned their degrees: ... Bachelor of Social Work; ]

Published works

*"Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir" (HCI, 2004; ISBN 0757302823)
*"Take Back the Night", "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul" (HCI, 2005; ISBN 075730317X) [cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Jania |title=Standing up and speaking out |url=http://media.www.westerncourier.com/media/storage/paper650/news/2005/10/10/News/Standing.Up.And.Speaking.Out-1015063.shtml |work=Western Courier |date=2005-10-10 ]

References