INTERFERE IMMEDIATELY

[CanadaCraig]

Hi Everyone

I hope you're OK.

Having just read the Grand Jury investigation into reported sexual assaults of minor males by football coach 'Jerry' Sandusky ...

I have one thing to say.

WAKE UP!

If you are an ADULT [Or otherwise 'mature' human being] INTERFERE when you see a child [Or anyone else] being SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. Don't run away and 'tell daddy'. [As one man did when he saw a boy being raped by 'the coach'] And don't run away and tell your fellow employee's. [As a janitor did]

YOU INTERFERE IMMEDIATELY. YOU STOP THE RAPE. And if the rapist/abuser has a physical advantage on you - YELL and KEEP YELLING until others show up and his 'advantage' is diminished. Oh I know - doing the 'right thing' can be scary. But you have no choice. Not if you wish to have ANY self respect.

A victim is counting on YOU to REACT.

THAT SAID...

IF you have been raped [Or abused in some other way] and have been keeping that FACT a secret - know in your heart that....

"NO ONE KNOWS - does NOT mean - NO ONE CARES!"

I care.

Please find the courage to TALK to someone about it.

And KNOW that if you were raped [Or abused in some other way] it was NOT YOUR FAULT.

GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!

[Fairy Poppins]

I 100% agree with this, Craig.

When I worked as a Nursery Nurse (Nursery Teacher), we were legally-bound by safeguarding laws which meant that if we suspected child abuse, it was our responsibility to let the appropriate person (called a Safeguarding Officer) know.

But most people who don't work with children seem to think that child abuse is none of their business.

The children don't have a voice against adults! They rely on other adults to stand up for them.

How would someone feel if they knew a child was being abused, but didn't get involved... and then the child ended up dead?

Freaking awful. And yet it would be partly their fault that it happened because, if they had said something, it could have been prevented.

If I suspected child abuse, I would be onto the police ASAP. No child should ever have to suffer at the hands of an adult and it's one of the things I get really mad about.

[CanadaCraig]

Hi Jasmine!

I hope you're having a groovy day!!

I really appreciated your thoughtful reply.

I especially liked the part where you said...

"The children don't have a voice against adults! They rely on other adults to stand up for them."

That was like music to my ears.

I've believed that all my life. [Even when I was a kid!]

The concept of accountability MUST be taught. Human beings need to KNOW that they play a part in the world around them. They need to know that it MATTERS how they react and respond to those in need. The last few generations have been spoon fed so often that everything seems distant and removed. You could see evidence of that during most of 'our' recent riots. Crowds would stand a few feet from burning cars and people being beaten and WATCH as if it was all happening on TV.

Is it too late? I don't know. But I didn't create the GBH GUY because I've given up hope!!

GREAT BIG HUG
Craig!!

[Revolution]

Craig, so agree, love this thread. The act of interfering (aka, being an active bystander) is crucial to the stopping of sexual violence. Being there for others, especially being there for your friends is so necessary. You question when your friend is going off with a person they do not know under the influence, you react if you hear somebody scream, and you call the police if you feel it is out of your safety zone.

Also, do remember that if something has happened where you felt you could have been more involved, do not beat yourself up. The only person to blame for a sexual assault is the attacker, not any witnesses or the victim. Although it could have been avoided, it is not the FAULT of the other people. But I am sickened that nobody helped this boy with so many witnesses.