Gloria Masters Calls For Mandatory Abuse Reporting In Schools

Shining a Light on a Silent Epidemic

In the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, child trafficking survivor Gloria Masters is spotlighting what she calls a "silent epidemic". Masters, who was sex trafficked by her own family from infancy, is campaigning for mandatory abuse reporting by teachers. The initiative aims to protect children by obligating educators to report suspected abuse to authorities.

International research backs her cause, indicating that one in three girls and one in five boys experience sexual abuse. Masters believes that mandatory reporting could open the floodgates, allowing educators to voice concerns about children in their care without fear of reprisal.

“If teachers had a mandate to speak, we would find the floodgates would open,” Masters said. “There is so much concern, but teachers need permission to discuss these issues.”

Advocating for Change

Masters is not alone in her mission. She's providing New Zealand schools with her book, Keeping Kids Safe, funded by a U.S. philanthropist, to spread awareness and offer practical advice. The book guides parents and educators on identifying behavioral shifts in children that could indicate abuse, such as withdrawal or unexplained aggression.

Masters also advocates for teaching children a global hand signal to discreetly indicate they need help. "The problem with silence," she says, "is that it only serves predators. We need to ensure children are heard."

Time for Action

Masters draws parallels between her experiences and high-profile cases like Epstein's to emphasize the urgent need for change. Despite the global outrage over elite trafficking rings, much of the abuse happens within national borders and often stays hidden.

She urges for community support and legislative changes to combat this issue effectively. "If this were about car accidents involving children, we'd see massive campaigns to save lives," Masters points out. "We need similar urgency for child protection."