Hands Off Our Children

Dec 19, 2012 – Adoption:Home For The Holidays – Cogee of Hands Off Our Children Teams Up with Matthew Cox and The Never Give Up Foundation to help children find homes.

November 07, 2012 – All New Episode of Hands Off Our Children Radio Show Feat. Shanette and Dave Tino with Tino’s School of Self Defense! Tino’s School of Self Defense offers classes in Ketsu-Ka to both children and adults; Kick Boxing, and Ng’s Gung Fu Self Defense classes to adults only. Visit www.tinomartialarts.com

Oct 24 – “What The Hell Is Going On?” Feat. Athena Dean and Rhesha Plummer (Mill, Stone & Associates) Athena Dean has spent the last 20 years in the book publishing industry as co-founder and former-owner of WinePress Publishing. She recently became part of a cutting edge start-up company which offers the opportunity for book lovers to read books for free. Check out the free read library beta test on www.bookjolt.com . Author of 3 books including Consumed by Success: Reaching the Top and Finding God Wasn’t There, she has never been afraid to tell her story of using God and His children to achieve success that was void of His presence. Over the last 12 years she has been part of a Christian cult and only late last year had her eyes opened to the deception she’d been under. While the cult now owns the publishing company she spent many years building in credibility in the Christian publishing world, God has given her a brand new opportunity to tell her story and shine the light on the evil deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Not long ago, that story included the startling discovery that one of the associate pastors of the cult sexually abused some of the young girls in the cult, one of whom she believes to be her granddaughter. There are other children at danger and blowing the whistle on this danger takes precedence as the child rape trial looms on November 8. You can learn more about Athena’s story at www.notafraidtotellmystory.com starting with the oldest post first. Rhesha Plummer is a native of Washington dc. She attended Howard university were she earned her bachelors of arts in both political science and administration of justice in 2004. She subsequently enrolled in the catholic university of America, Columbus school of law, where she earned her juris doctor in January 2010. Rhesha has over 5 years of policy development experience both on the federal and state level. After law school she clerked for the US sentencing commission, where she assisted in the drafting and revision of federal criminal sentencing guidelines. Most notably, she assisted in the federal crack-cocaine amendments; ultimately, reducing the disparity in sentencing. Upon leaving the US sentencing commission, rhesha accepted a position with the Maryland state judiciary as a juvenile policy attorney. There she advocated for and drafted policy aimed at rehabilitating wayward youth and improving the family and juvenile court systems. Rhesha was recently appointed managing juvenile litigation attorney for mill, stone and associates, a small boutique firm based out of DC. mill, stone and associates aims to seek protection for sexually abused youth and young adults through advocacy, litigation, and awareness.

LISTEN TO RAY’S SONG THAT HE MADE FOR A FRIEND WHO GOT KILLED BY A DRIVE BY. HELP US FIGHT THE FIGHT IN ANY WAY YOU CAN! COGEE SAYS “WE HAVE TO SAVE THE YOUNG TALENTED CHILDREN OF THE WORLD TODAY. AND AS A BIG BROTHER I’M STEPPING UP TO DO MY PART. I’M TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A YOUNG CHILD IN NEED, HELPING OUT A SINGLE MOM. ALOT OF CHILDREN NOWADAYS TRULY NEED A ROLE MODEL. CAN YOU BE THAT ROLE MODEL?

October 3rd, 2012 – An all NEW episode on The Hands Off Our Children Radio Show! “The Hidden Predator: Female Pedophiles Hunting Our Children” Feat. Silvia Dutchevici and Dr. Christine Hatchard. Silvia M. Dutchevici, MA, LMSW Silvia M. Dutchevici is the founder and President of the Critical Therapy Center. With more than 10 years experience in social services and a passion for psychotherapy, Dutchevici (pronounced ‘doot-*kay*-vitch’) created the Critical Therapy Center in recognition of the need to expand psychoanalytic praxis to include and be mindful of the ways race, class and gender interact with intrapsychic conflicts. Silvia has a strong background in psychoanalytic theory and trauma, with particular focus on torture. Through the years, dissatisfied with the limits of psychoanalysis, Silvia began incorporating critical pedagogy and liberation psychology in her work with patients, creating “critical therapy”, focusing on issues regarding empowerment and liberation.  Critical therapy analyzes the way ideology is present in the clinical hour and believes that psychotherapy requires an interrogation of both the therapist’s and the client’s world view. Silvia Dutchevici served as the Executive Director of Queens Pride House and prior to founding the Critical Therapy Center, she was on the staff of Sanctuary for Families, the Arab American Family Support Center, the Ms. Foundation for Women, and the International League for Human Rights. Born in Romania, Silvia wanted to help the orphans of her country to ensure a better future for them by joining the Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation, a humanitarian organization working with orphanages through the country, providing technical assistance and educating staff on giving better care. Silvia obtained her master’s degree in social work (MSW) from New York University (NYU). She is also a graduate of the New School for Social Research with a master’s degree (MA) in psychology and a BA in religious studies and political science from Fordham University. She trained at the Bellevue/NYU Survivors of Torture Program, the Parent Child Center of the New York Psychoanalytic Society and the New York Freudian Society. Silvia is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the New York City Intimate Partner Violence Task Force, and the United Nations Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Committee on Mental Health. Silvia has presented at the International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, the Diversity Challenge Conference in Boston and throughout the years she has lectured at Fordham University and NYU. She is a founding board member of Black Women’s Blueprint and was profiled in the 25th edition of Who’s Who of American Women. Dr. Christine Hatchard Dr. Hatchard is a licensed psychologist and forensic evaluator with a private practice in Eatontown, NJ and a Specialist Professor of Clinical Psychology at Monmouth University (NJ).  Currently, she is the Executive Director of Making Daughters Safe Again (MDSA), the only nonprofit organization in the world providing information, advocacy and support exclusively for survivors of mother-daughter sexual abuse. In 2011, she released a full-length documentary entitled, “Who will love me: Four stories of mother-daughter sexual abuse.”

FEB 15, 2012  Episode 7 – Hands Off Our Children:  Male Survivors featuring Jeffery M. Leving (Father’s Rights Attorney), Christopher Smith (Attorney), and Gabe Wright (male rape survivor). Jeffery M. Leving is the internationally acclaimed author of two ground-breaking books, Fathers’ Rights and Divorce Wars and was selected by his peers as one of Illinois’ top attorneys. Of the same firm, Christopher Smith, is also committed to protecting the rights of fathers and their children with the goal fostering continuing and positive relationships and strengthening the bonds that lead them to a more rewarding life. Both Jeffery and Chris are going to tell us what every parent should know about children without fathers. When Christopher “The Battlefield” Smith goes into court, on behalf of his clients, failure is simply not an option.  Christopher earned his Juris Doctorate at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and although his practice is now focused exclusively on family law, he also has extensive experience representing clients in civil and commercial litigation, bankruptcy and estate planning.  He is licensed to practice law in the state courts of Illinois and Nevada, as well as the United States District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois and the District of Nevada.  Mr. Smith also has a wealth of experience with all forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution, including arbitration and mediation. Christopher stated that Nevada has been amongst the top 2 or 3 states in the country per capita of children dying from the effects of child abuse and neglect. He goes on to say “Pay attention to what goes on around you.  If you see that is happening to a child, if there is something going wrong, report it to the authorities.  You may save a child’s life.” In answer to Cogee’s question, “Are abused kids being taken out of abused homes fast enough?” Mr. Smith replied “No!  Nevada and in particular, Clark County our resources are overburdened because some of our elected officials have not taken this situation seriously and have provided the resources to various organizations that can help in this regard to protect our kids. And unless we demand change in that area it is not going to happen. I encourage all your listeners to do just that. Call your city council persons, call your county commisioners,call your state legislatures and let them know that this is an important issue and that it deserves bigger attention and contribution from the state.” Cogee welcomed Jeffery M. Leving onto the show.  Named one of “America’s Best Lawyers” by Forbes Radio™, Jeffery M. Leving is the internationally acclaimed author of the ground-breaking books, Fathers’ Rights, Divorce Wars, and the soon to be released How to Be a Good Divorced Dad. Leving was congratulated on his new book by President Obama in addition to receiving a recent endorsement by Francis Cardinal George of the Archdiocese of Chicago. As a tireless advocate for Fathers’ Rights, Jeffery M. Leving has co-authored important family laws including the Illinois Joint Custody Law. Leving is also the Governor-appointed Chair of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood and is also President Emeritus of the Fatherhood Educational Institute. Cogee gave Mr. Leving a warm welcome, “It’s an honor to have you on my show today.  You are out there fighting.  You know what it is like to be on the battlefield from a fight. You got your wounds from it and you got your wins from it.  Tell us what does it feel like when you go out to fight for a child, the night before you got that big case, how are you inside?” Leving, “Some nights it is very difficult to sleep…because the most difficult client to represent is a father who is falsely accused of abuse and who is also trying to protect his child who is being abused by a perpetrator of a false allegation(s). Most lawyers are weak, who don’t have fire in their belly. There are very few lawyers out there like Chris Smith that are tigers in a court room and work 24 hours a day to protect children.” “Our children are in danger. In Nevada, a lot of children are going to grow up with the absence of their fathers.  Sexual abuse for children is the absence of a biological father.  In Nevada, there is such a low paternity establishment rate compared to the great amount of children being born out of wedlock, that is one of the reasons there is such a high rate of sexual abuse.” “There are many cases of innocent people being convicted of crimes they didn’t commit because the system is broken.  There is terrible discrimination in the system.  According to statistics  66%-70% of African American compared to 35% Hispanic, and 27% of White children living in homes absent of their biological fathers, because the discrimination against African American fathers. It is an epidemic.” “Any man’s loss of his child diminishes mankind,” says Jeffery. “According to statistics, children that are father absent are more likely to exhibit violent behavior.  The absence of a biological father increases by 900% the daughter’s vulnerability to rape and sexual abuse.  If you look at the statistics fathers are parents too and are important. There’s a growing correlation between fatherless males and their violence against women.” Both Jeffery and Chris have defended fathers who have been falsely accused of abuse or molestation and describe how devastating and damaging it can have on not only the father but the child as well, leaving a stigma and a record viewed by future employers.  They both tell how important it is to never admit to a confession for a crime you never committed. “You do have a right to speak to an attorney.  One very important thing to do if you have won a case against false allegations is to ask for a court order to seal documents from being public records and impound the files so no one can have access them.” Jeffery’s new book “How to Be A Good Divorced Dad” can be ordered online at www.DadsRights.com or call (312)807-3990. Joining the show is Gabe Wright, who became a male rape victim at the age of 22 and now considers himself a male rape survivor.  He is on the social awareness committee as the male empowerment director at PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment. Gabe is the Founder and Chief EMPOWERment Guy at The Guys Project. Hear his emotional and yet powerful story! He wants the main message out there for rape crisis centers and organizations to be changed on how they do their marketing, that they should not only support women and children, but men also.  To as a community, start a conscious effort to stop jokes about male rape and understand it is just as serious.  We need to get men involved and to speak out against violence.  There are a lot of people that will support you, you will be believed.  There might be one person who won’t believe, but there are thousands else that will.  So move on to the next person that will! This was one show not to miss! Download on itunes today! Every Wednesday tune in live around the world by clicking on the “Listen Live” link here on www.HandsOffOurChildren.org. Like us on facebook and follow us on twitter @HandsOfOC! Listeners can call in at (702)731-1230!

March 14, 2012 – Episode 11 – Hands Off Our Children: The Signs of Grieving and Letting Go of the Pain Cogee and his two co-hosts kept the first hour heated with their conversations about community and worldy affairs.  Bringing great solutions and awareness, exposing some of the most hanious molestions, child abuse and murders. Joining the conversation was special guest Mark Anthony “the Psychic Lawyer,” who’s the author of the best selling book, Never Letting Go: Healing Grief with Help from The Other Side. This book is for anyone interested in contact with the Other Side and for those suffering the loss of a loved one…

February 1, 2012 marked the 5th episode of the Hands Off Our Children Radio Show featuring Patrina Wright and Millicent St. Claire Cogee began the show speaking to the fathers,”When you walk away from the home, you leave your children available to be molested…It’s sad that little kids are a sport nowadays for people, not respected, second-hand citizens….Children are not being taken serious. That’s why we are doing this show, we are going to make you accountable!  When our organization catches you slippin’ we are going to make you pay for it!” Reappearing on the show is Patrina Wright, an adult survivor of child sexual abuse and author of “Still Scarred, Totally Healed: Opening your heart and mind to God’s healing of past hurts” written to spread a message of hope, help and healing. Patrina is the executive director for Crossroad Women and Family Services – an abuse prevention, training and advocacy organization. She is a single mother, minister, author, speaker, producer of a talk show “Restore, Recover, & Rebuild.” Patrina is in the process of birthing a new ministry called “Beyond the Abuse” – where their mission is to help people experience total healing through conferences, retreats,seminars, life-coaching that focuses on recovery.  She also wrote “The Exodus: Breaking Cycles and Changing Lives,”  to help survivors thrive, help them know they can prosper, and teach them how to take the rest of their lives back! They can live again, laugh again and breathe again! In this episode, Patrina agreed with Cogee’s statement and added that there needs to be a “M.A.D.” movement started among dads, a “Movement Among Dads.” She stated,”It is important to teach your child that you can best protect them if and when they tell you that something is wrong.  Also, as a parent, listen to your children. Talk to them. Let them know it is an open door policy. Abusers can be an adult friend of the family, family members, someone from the church, a young person, a youth, a coach, cousins, older sibling, their friend, etc.” Patrina encourages parents to start telling your telling their children that their bodies are precious and they belong to them. “Tell them not to give out their personal phone numbers and addresses, or provacative pictures on the internet. Predators will lure them out to a park where they can rape him/her. Predators will lie and say they are 15 but are really 50 years old.  When a child tells their parents that they have been molested or touched, it is important for a parent not to panic.  You need to listen, offer support, affirming courage and goodness. Tell them it is not their fault. Make sure they believe it. Call someone, seek professional help.  Immediately call a pediatrician, have your child examined.  Follow all the steps that are necessary to take action.” “Children talk without saying a word. Their body language speaks a thousand words.  Let them know that you will protect them no matter what.  Continue to provide support. No matter what people say, let them know that you will stand by them. Reassure them constantly!” Patrina talks about play-dates and sleepovers.  She does not recommend them. Miss Peaches agreed, saying “Playdates are a No! There’s nothing that your children need to do overnight that the children can’t get done during the day! So, you’re giving yourself a night off at the expense of your child’s innocense or for the rest of their lives?” Joining the show is Millicent St. Claire, a seasoned seminar leader, inspirational speaker and author. Using her groundbreaking book Simply Ridiculous and the LIGMO (Let It Go, Move On) Self-Mastery Process she helps learners of all ages break through self-limiting beliefs and behaviors and have a new experience of themselves. Millicent’s one-of-a-kind programs and keynotes are remarkable, relevant and unforgettable. She is also the bestselling author for her writing in Unbreakable Spirit along with Lisa Nichols of The Secret. Millicent speaks about Doctor David Hawkins who wrote “Power vs Force” a map of human consciousness (shame, grief, fear to love, courage, acceptance, enlightenment) The vast majority are operating at the lower levels of consciousness. We have to talk about solutions to heal these things in consciousness! Millicent stated, “There are solutions to some of this stuff…not all of it.  Some people need to be locked up because they are not going to change, there’s no redemption for them becausec they are too far gone in consciousness. God help them. There are solutions and we need to focus on that. It is a conversation of forgiveness and healing. Hurt People hurt people. It’s spreading in consciousness.” Miss Peaches,”Unfortunatly, so many people walk around in fear and panic. They don’t want to panic anybody, they don’t want to do this and don’t want to do that…If we all step forward and brought education and awareness forward with conviction then we empower so many more. Panic is when you don’t know what to do, you’re upside down in a whirlwind…that’s Panic. Being aware..that’s empowering!” Something that helped Millicent was the book,”The Gift of Fear,” by author Gavin DeBecker.  He talks about violence on all levels.  It empowered her with an understanding of how to respond to situations, when a predator approaches, how predators find their prey, how they look at us and their vulnerabilies.  She started to make decisions on how to never be a victim again and that gift of fear, that intuitive voice that we all have… “Who are we as individuals, who are we collectively, who are we becoming? Are we working on being our best selves? The goal is to teach people to honor and to respect and have a reverence for all of life and live in the higher self and to strive for the higher consciousness…We need to study healing these things in consciousness and addressing the root cause of it.” Download and listen to this episode for more great conversations with Cogee, Miss Peaches, Elsa Prado, Patrina Wright and Millicent St. Claire!

The Hands Off Our Children Radio Show Premiered on Jan 4th, 2012,  setting new records at KLAV 1230AM with incoming phone call that the lines literally were too “hot!” Cogee, the host, founded the Hands Off Our Children Non-Profit Organization in efforts to raise awareness, implement tougher punishments on convicted sexual child predators and provide resources and support to victims of sexual child abuse.  Cogee has been doing once-monthly shows dedicated to the topic of child-abuse awareness on his current successful radio show, Conversations With Cogee, airing every Monday 2pm-5pm(PST) on KLAV.  Now The Hands Off Our Children Show is live every single week! Tune in Wednesdays, from 2p-4p(PST) Listen live world wide on www.HandsOffOurChildren.org Tune in and help change the lives of millions of children! Cogee always says it takes a village, and the Hands Off Village spans the globe!! We need more people in the community support the conversation of safety! It seems like children are second class citizens. It seems like people think animals are more important than children. That is what Cogee and the Hands Off team are fighting against! If this doesn’t affect you, one day your kids can end up being a part of this sick pedophile problem! So if you give a damn, support this cause. The bell has wrung, now let’s fight! Donate to Hands Off Our Children to keep the awareness going! “Like” us on Facebook.com/HandsOffOurChildren and follow us on Twitter @HandsOffOC!

Jan 18, 2012 marked the 3rd episode of The Hands Off Our Children show, hosted by Cogee. Hear reports You Won’t Believe! Co-hosting with Cogee is the lovely Miss Peaches and Elsa! Cerridwen Fallingstar and Erma joined the conversation with their experiences making a point that it is ok for children not to want to give “hugs.” Their bodies belong to them, they must embrace this fact at an early age. If they are uneasy about getting close to anyone, whether it be family, friend, teacher, pastor, doctor, uncle, their own father or even mother, it may be for a good reason! Denise Martin joined in on the 2nd hour with her point of view on living in a homeless shelter and “safety in numbers.”  Cogee and the Hands Off team reiterated the “trust no one” rule, and that child abuse can happen faster than we think! It was agreed that pedophilia happens within our own homes with close relatives but it can happen anywhere. It is important not to ignore our instincts or overlook what may be happening right before our very eyes! LISTEN TO THE JAN,18th SHOW RIGHT NOW! We need more people in the community support the conversation of safety! It seems like children are second class citizens. It seems like people think animals are more important than children. That is what Cogee and the Hands Off team are fighting against! If this doesn’t affect you, one day your kids can end up being a part of this sick pedophile problem! So if you give a damn, support this cause. The bell has wrung, now let’s fight! Donate to Hands Off Our Children to keep the awareness going! “Like” us on Facebook.com/HandsOffOurChildren and follow us on Twitter @HandsOffOC!

January 25,2012 marked the 4th episode of the Hands Off Our Children Radio Show featuring Marvin Columbus, Stacy Baily and Patrina Wright. Marvin Columbus took a few students from a local high school, each facing many challenges, and introduced them to boxing.  Immediately it became apparent that this simple boxing program had tapped into a wellspring of potential in these kids.  Marvin realized that this boxing program could expand and help more and more students.  Recognizing the students’ desire to learn and grow into responsible young adults, he decided to form a boxing league for high school-aged students, KO HIGH. This is where Marvin and KO HIGH come in.  The KO HIGH program is giving these students options, a sense of pride and a passion to want to do better, not only in boxing but also in school and in life.  Time is endless where Marvin is concerned.  He spreads his knowledge of boxing and is the students’ hands-on trainer and mentor. Participation in KO HIGH has been and remains subject to steadfast criteria:  grades have to be either maintained or brought up to at least a 2.5; proper social conduct has to be adhered to at all times and there is a strict “dress for success” dress code. Marvin’s two main goals for the KO HIGH program is for kids to finish high school and for this sport to be in college. Stacy Bailey, a survivor of sexual, mental and emotional abuse while in an adopted home. She is Author of “The Awakening: A Story of Twisted Fate,” which is a fictional depiction of her childhood abuse. This novel was written as a means to bring awareness to child abuse and to inspire others to share their story.  Available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com Patrina, an adult survivor of child sexual abuse and author of “Still Scarred, Totally Healed: Opening your heart and mind to God’s healing of past hurts” written to spread a message of hope, help and healing. Patrina is the executive director for Crossroad Women and Family Services – an abuse prevention, training and advocacy organization. Patrina is single mother, minister, author, speaker, producer of a talk show “Restore, Recover, & Rebuild.”  She is in the process of birthing a new ministry called “Beyond the Abuse” – where their mission is to help people experience total healing through conferences, retreats,seminars, life-coaching that focuses on recovery. Patrina wrote “The Exodus: Breaking Cycles and Changing Lives,”  to help survivors thrive, help them know they can prosper, and teach them how to take the rest of their lives back! They can live again, laugh again and breathe again! Experts estimate: 1 in 12 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abuse before the age of 18.  Statistics also show there are over 39 child sexual abuse survivor in the U.S.  No one just wakes up in the morning and decides to become a crack addict, prostitute, or alcholic. Child sexual abuse is directly linked to a number of social issues. 70-80% of sexual abuse survivors report excessive drug/alcohol abuse. Among the male survivors, 50% have suicidal thoughts, more than 20% attempt suicide.  Young girls who are sexually abused are more likely to develop eating disorders, they run away from home, have unhealthy lifestyle patterns.  More than 60% of first time pregnancy of teens are a result of molestation, rape or attempted rape.

October 31,2011 – Cogee Keeps The Heat on Pedophiles!

August 29, 2011 – Hidden Family Secrets (series) on Conversations With Cogee

July 18,2011 – Hidden Family Secrets (series) on Conversations With Cogee

Jan 11, 2012 marked the 2nd episode “The Prosecutor” on The Hands Off Our Children Show,which featured special guest Jill Starishevsky – an Assistant District Attorney in New York City. She has prosecuted hundreds of sex offenders and dedicated her career to seeking justice for victims of child abuse and sex crimes. Outside the courtroom, Jill’s fondness for writing led her to create thepoemlady.com, where she pens personalized pieces. Her mission to protect children, along with her penchant for poetry, inspired My Body Belongs to Me. A mother of three, Jill is also founder of HowsMyNanny.com, a service that enables parents to purchase a license plate for their child’s stroller so the public can report positive or negative nanny observations. LISTEN TO THE SHOW NOW!

June 06,2011 – Hidden Family Secrets (series) on Conversations With Cogee

April 18, 2011 – The Community Speaks Out on Conversations With Cogee

March 14, 2011 – Hidden Family Secrets (Series) on Conversations With Cogee

Feb 7,2011 – Hidden Family Secrets (series) on Conversations With Cogee.

January 31, 2011 – To Catch a Pedophile on Conversations With Cogee