Break the Code of Silence: Raising My Voice to Protect Our Kids

Seasoned trial attorney Brian Claypool warns how our cultural code of silence endangers children--and empowers those brave enough to protect them in this crucial must-read.

Children are taught to respect their elders--parents, teachers, priests, coaches, police. Yet this code of etiquette actually creates a code of silence that puts kids in direct danger of the unthinkable happening. Too often, children don't speak out against adults who wrong them for fear of seeming disrespectful or, worse, being accused of lying. Brian Claypool, a seasoned attorney known for tenaciously defending his clients in some of the landmark child abuse cases in the United States, is out to end this power dynamic and empower children and those who seek to protect them.

Drawing on years his years in the courtroom squaring off against child predators, Claypool delves into what can happen when we live by this code of silence this code of silence--and how to change it. For the first time, Claypool bravely shares his own experiences of childhood trauma and abuse, and how that fuels his current fight to protect and defend children. He also details five famous cases he worked and won for kids, including that of Noah Cuatro, which was a topic in the Netflix series The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. Finally, he outlines thirty red flags for identifying trouble before it starts--developed from years spent in court analyzing child predators--and safeguarding children. This eye-opening, crucial must-read will empower anyone who wants to advocate for children and is courageous enough to protect them.