As the year comes to a close, we must remember that when the clock strikes 12, the confetti falls, and folks are sharing hugs and kisses, for some people, this will be just another 60 seconds passing by and the pain they are in will still be there at 12:01. This is why we must be ever mindful of the struggle many people face as a result of experiencing sexual absuse.
The stastitics in the photo above are real and represent the evil that our society faces. Children are being sexually assaulted in your city, neighborhood, and possibly even your family by people whom they know, and often love and trust. The voices of these children are often muted because their abusers have convinced them that nobody will believe them if they report the crimes committed against them. They also fear what the disclosure would do to their familial bonds and relationships so they suffer in silence. Yet everyday they wish that someone would take notice of the pain in their eyes and come to their rescue, but for many, that help doesn’t come for years, if at all.
This is why we have to keep sounding the alarm and bringing attention to this epidemic. We can’t overlook inappropriate behavior towards kids, we can’t give our friends and loved ones a pass when we know they have abused kids, and we can’t make the victim responsible for the acts of their abusers. We have to honor our obligation to protect children near and far. And, while this isn’t always easy and can sometimes be down right uncomfortable to stand up for what is right when family and friends are calling for us to look the other way, forgive and forget, or sweep things under the rug so the family isn’t embarassed, we simply cannot.
It may be a New Year, but it can be a constant pain for those affected by this evil. Let’s not get so caught up in our own lives that we can’t see the reality of the evil in this world. Let’s not be so quick to bury our hands in the sand because we don’t think this epidemic truly affects us. The truth is, given the staggering statistics about sexual abuse, it is likely that we all know someone who has been sexually assaulted. So the question is, does this epidemic only matter to you if you have a face to put with the issue? If so, look around….the faces are all around you!
