Archived Letters from Father Val J. Peter, JCD, STD
Executive Director, Boys Town

April 1, 2000

Dear Girls and Boys:

If you are being hurt by someone through sexual, physical or emotional abuse, or are thinking about hurting yourself, you need help. Please report it. Call your local law enforcement officials or the Boys Town National Hotline, 1-800-448-3000. 

I urge abused children to tell and keep telling until someone listens. Not long ago I was speaking to my seventh-graders in the famous Village of Boys Town, Nebraska, about what to do when you “aren’t safe anymore.” I told the children they should tell a teacher right away.

One of the girls in the back of the room said, “That won’t do any good, Father; they don’t listen.”  This little girl was talking from experience.  She had been repeatedly sexually abused by her father since the third grade and nobody listened . . . until just a few short months ago.

Too often such reports are listed as “exaggerated” or “storytelling.”  Teachers are busy.  School principals’ schedules are overloaded.  Even the most cursory investigations are not made.

I encourage every child to speak with a trusted adult about abuse. If they do not have someone that will listen or they can trust, please call the Boys Town National Hotline.  Our highly trained telephone counselors will listen and do something to help. You’re not heavy; you’re our brothers and sisters.

The number for the Boys Town National Hotline is 1-800-448-3000 or if you need helpful tips or more information, look through this website. Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Father Val J. Peter, JCD, STD,
Executive Director, Boys Town