Alicia Kozakiewicz: A Strong Voice Speaking for Children Who Are Unable to Speak for Themselves
At the tender of age of thirteen, Alicia was abducted from her Pennsylvania home, taken to Virginia and held captive for four days, being brutally raped as she was chained to the floor by her captor.
A team of law enforcement officials, trained in cyber crimes, rescued Alicia from the man who proudly boasted online of his abduction and repeated raping of his child victim. The computer programmer who was found guilty of abduction and child rape is currently serving his prison sentence of 19 years and 7 months.
A Survivor Who Will Not Be Silent
Since the time of Alicia's rescue six years ago, she has become a strong voice for the many children who remain in captivity, suffering the same kind of brutality and humiliation she once suffered.
Alicia has been before Congress, asking for tighter laws and more finances to help with this growing problem. In Virginia, where Alicia was held captive, the state has created "Alicia's Law" in order to help increase funding for these purposes.
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces
According to information provided by PROTECT, in 2008, the Virginia legislature voted to provide that state's two Internet Crimes Against Children task forces (ICAC) with 1.5 million dollars in new state funding. Those task forces wasted no time in rescuing dozens more children from the hands of online pedophiles.
Appeal for Help is made to Virginia's Governor, Tim Kaine
Today, the Virginia state legislation is suffering due to a lack of funds. Federal money that was supposed to be there, isn't. The only person who can fix this problem is Governor Tim Kaine. Alicia Kozakiewicz has written a personal letter to the Virginia Governor asking for his help and Alicia has also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show along with members from the PROTECT organization as they made their appeal.
Subject of an Upcoming PBS Special and a People Magazine Article
Alicia Kozakiewicz is a fighter with a strong voice and is not afraid to speak out for many children who are unable to speak for themselves. Hopefully more of them will be rescued from their abductors and will find the same strength to help Alicia fight for this cause. Alicia's story will also be told on an upcoming PBS special and in a People Magazine article.
As her abductor continues to serve his prison sentence, Alicia and her family are busy making internet films for the FBI and for the Pennsylvania school system. The videos are designed to tell Alicia's story and help prevent other young children and teens from falling into the same peril as Alicia. Her mother, Mary, is also a member of the Surviving Parents Coalition and helps her daughter with the task of protecting children.
When those of us who have been sexually abused, whether through online pedophilia or within the homes of our family members, find our voices and stand strong, the tide will turn on these heinous crimes against innocent children.
Sources:
http://www.onlinepredatorblogs.com/legislation/54-alicias-law/
http://www.protect.org/Campaign/Virginia/Alicia-s-Law-Virginia.html
http://www.survivingparentscoalition.org/bio-kozakiewicz.php
Published by Vicki Messer
In 1997 I began a personal journey of healing from years of childhood sexual abuse. For the better part of 10 years, I worked my way through the painful repressed memories of incest at the hands of several... View profile
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3 Comments
Post a CommentThe brutalizing monster that raped and tortured Alicia should be in prison forever! Not for 19 years, which will probably be half served. That is insane. Monsters will always be monsters. Great article.
God bless Alicia and all that she is doing. May many of us join her efforts!
It still amazes me how many predators are still out there. And it's sad to think that we STILL have to be fighting this war against these kinds of crimes.