August & Lotta Stockholm owner selling store to help victims of child sexual abuse
A St. John's businesswoman has made the decision to sell her downtown store and put full-time effort into a cause that's very important to her.
Bev Moore-Davis, owner of the high-end boutique August & Lotta Stockholm, told the St. John's Morning Show Friday that she wants to help victims of child sexual abuse.
"Now I have an opportunity to help other people, and that drives me ... to know I help other people," she said.
That help comes from the charity that Moore-Davis founded — The Miles for Smiles Foundation.
Shocking statistics
Moore-Davis, who said she suffered sexual abuse throughout her childhood until she ran away at 17, had trouble finding support in this province.
That's why she wanted to create it for the thousands of other reported victims.
"It's shocking. But what's even more shocking is that over 90 per cent of child abuse crimes go unreported. So we have a huge problem here," she said.
Miles for Smiles is now the only organization in Newfoundland and Labrador that offers support to adult survivors, while promoting awareness and prevention.
"My husband I travelled to Tucson, Arizona in February, and were trained in a program, an international organization that is all about child-abuse prevention," she said.
Speaking louder, recognizing abuse
The certification and training will allow Moore-Davis and her husband to facilitate child-abuse prevention programs in the province. Part of that is helping others to recognize the signs of abuse.
"I remember a particular instant when I was in a doctor's office, and the doctor took me in a room to be alone so he could talk privately. He didn't come out and say it, but he did that because he suspected ... and I knew by the conversation that he knew something was going on, but nothing happened," she said.
Moore-Davis said memories like that make her want to speak louder today.
"We often think we can suppress this and it'll go away — but it never goes away. It's a part of us."
Moore-Davis said the first step in her new journey will take place on Sunday at Bowring Park in St. John's, at the Miles for Smiles fundraising walk.
"By me speaking out, I know I'm helping people," she said. "For the few people that judge me negatively, I'll get through that. The bigger picture is I'm helping people."
