EMMAUS (PA)
Runner’s World
August 7, 2018
By Taylor Dutch
Christian Griffith bottled up his trauma for 30 years. Now, he’s encouraging others to speak, too.
From the inside of an RV parked along the road in Ely, Nevada, Christian Griffith took a well-deserved break from running to answer the call from Runner’s World.
He’d already put in some serious mileage during the day, and he wasn’t done yet. Earlier in the morning, he ran 15 miles while climbing a peak through the desert. At 8:00 p.m., he would embark on 16 more. The 30 plus-mile day is one of many since March that has put him closer to completing his cross-country goal: to complete a 3,000-mile run across the United States.
He’s logging those miles for all those who have survived childhood sexual abuse—himself included, from his mother and multiple men when he was in his teens. For over 30 years, Griffith internalized the painful memories of his past. But then, two years ago, he sought treatment, and in doing so, became inspired to help other victims.
And there are a lot out there: Every eight minutes, child protective services finds evidence for a claim of child sexual abuse, according to RAINN. The effects can be long-term. Victims of child sexual abuse are also four times more likely to develop symptoms of drug abuse, and are four times more likely to experience post traumatic stress disorder as adults.
Griffith is making it his mission to raise awareness to the often-silent issue that affects so many people around the world by running across the entire country. He’s partnered with Help For Children, a nonprofit that works to prevent and treat child abuse. His goal? To raise $1 million for the charity.
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