Kevin Mulcahy

Child sexual abuse professionals know the most common challenges facing survivors of child sexual abuse, such as fear, shame, guilt, depression, trust issues, substance abuse, etc. But there are other, less widely discussed questions that child sexual abuse survivors face. Read More >

This presentation will focus on a few of these sneaky challenges, including:

• The Hard Conversation: How am I going to tell my spouse, family, and friends about this?
• The Monster Complex: Am I going to be a child molester when I get older?
• The Burden: Did my silence assist my abuser in abusing other victims?
• The Real Me: What are my “true” characteristics and what are traits that evolved from my abuse?
• The Big Guy: Where was God in all of this?
• The Crusader: As a survivor, what responsibility do I have to confront child sexual abuse in my profession?
• The Discount: Compared to others, was my abuse really that big of a deal?

Law enforcement, prosecutors, social workers, victim advocates, child protective service workers, and anyone working with child sexual abuse victims have an opportunity to speak life into these survivors. The goal of this presentation is to provide a better understanding of some of the challenges they face so that professionals can aid victims.  

Learning Objectives Read Less ^

1. To better understand the scope of the repercussions of childhood sexual abuse for the individual survivor.
2. Identify less commonly considered challenges facing survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
3. To provide professionals with the ability to aid survivors of childhood sexual abuse in addressing these less commonly considered repercussions of childhood sexual abuse.

This presentation will recount Kevin’s own story of sexual exploitation at the hands of his soccer coach, Randy. But, it will not be merely a retelling of the past. Instead, the presentation will address lessons learned from his case by combining Kevin’s experience both as a victim and a long-time prosecutor of child exploitation cases. Knowing what he knows now, Kevin believe there are lessons to be learned from his story for the investigator (Kevin’s was great), the prosecutor (Kevin’s was terrible), and the forensic interviewer (Kevin did not have one). Beyond these (hopefully) useful lessons, the presentation will provide plenty of time for questions from attendees. Given the nature of our work, we don’t often get to ask questions (beyond factual questions) of our child victims. This presentation will provide that opportunity. Read More >

Learning Objectives Read Less ^

1. To better understand the challenges victims of childhood sexual abuse face.
2. Apply one case study to learn effective techniques in communicating with victims.
3. Answer many common questions those in the child abuse have for victims of childhood sexual abuse but are often unable, or unwilling to ask.
4. Better understand the awesome responsibility facing those professionals who do this work.
5. Challenge the participants to reevaluate their commitment to working in this field.