Keith Smith, Stranger Abduction Sex Assault Survivor Breaks His Silence After 36 Years. Uses Experience to Educate Adults on "5 Steps You Can Take to Keep Kids Safe."

East Windsor, NJ, June 06, 2011 --(PR.com)-- In 1974, at the age of 14, Keith Smith was abducted, beaten and raped in his hometown of Lincoln, Rhode Island by a stranger. Although his attacker was arrested and indicted, he never went to trial. His trial never took place because he was brutally beaten to death in the streets of Providence before his court date. Thirty-six years later, no one has ever been charged with his murder.

"Out of fear, shame and guilt, I've been silent for over three decades, sharing with very few people the story of what happened to me. No more. The silence has to end. It's time to speak out to raise public awareness of male sexual assault, to let other victims know that they're not alone and to help victims of sex crimes understand that the emotion, fear and memories that may still haunt them are not uncommon to those of us who have shared a similar experience," Smith said.

“I’m speaking out to share my personal experience and what I’ve learned over the years to help people understand the personal and societal effects of childhood sexual abuse. With the personal and societal cost of childhood sexual abuse so high, it’s necessary for parents, grandparents and anyone with responsibility for the health and safety of a child to be aware of my 5 Steps You Can Take to Keep Kids Safe," said Smith.

The story of Keith's assault and his transition from sexual assault victim to survivor has been featured in newspapers and magazines and his program, "5 Steps You Can Take to Keep Kids Safe" has been discussed on radio and television.

About Keith Smith

Keith Smith, author of Men in My Town, is a Stranger Abduction Sexual Assault Survivor, a Fortune 500 corporate executive and an advocate for child safety. Keith has lobbied government officials to prevent cutbacks to programs serving child victims of sexual abuse and he's testified before the New Jersey State Senate Judiciary Committee promoting legislation that would eliminate the statute of limitations for sex crimes against children. He has fifteen years of service as a member of the Board of Directors of a non-profit, social service agency providing crisis intervention counseling to child victims of sexual assault, including six years as Board Chairman.

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