We are so busy and engaged in our own pursuits that we often miss what may be happening to people around us. Then the news catches our attention. A music star is physically abused by her boyfriend, a woman in our own town is murdered by her estranged husband, school children are sexually abused by a teacher. We notice briefly and then return to our own lives.
I applaud the bravery of good people who take the time to say, “No, this is not okay!”
I certainly agree that awards should not be handed out to people who brutalize other people. I agree that teachers should be carefully scrutinized by administrators and parents. I firmly believe that parents should be vigilant and protect their children from predators.
My own story started with sexual abuse from a teacher. My parents were too trusting of school authorities, too involved in their own pursuits to protect their daughter. The resulting downward spiral of events led directly to my eighteen years of misery at the hands of a violent abuser.
Parents, please be directly engaged in your children’s lives, carefully evaluate who you trust with your precious kids. Teach your children to confide in you if something is troubling or not right. Teach them that they are worthy of being treated with respect and love, not brutality.
Remember that one out of every four women in the United States has been or will be abused either physically, sexually, emotionally or mentally at sometime in her life. That is an alarming statistic. Please get involved and do what you can to speak out against this violence. Do what you can to protect the innocent and stop the perpetrators of such violations against humanity. Domestic Violence is not okay!
