To the editor:
To the families and children who have been unfairly ostracized and condemned for telling their truth, this letter is for you.
Most molestation crimes committed upon kids occur within our own families and community, by relatives or close friends we trust, who themselves have been victimized in the same way. A dark-dwelling secret and traumatizing tradition passed on from one generation to the next.
Some are strong enough in their will and faith to stop this infectious, immoral disease from spreading. Others are consumed by the innate desire to pass on their pain, like a rite of passage. Most pedophiles watch and study their prey, deliberately choosing children who are already troubled, too young to tell, known for telling lies, or appear weak in mind. These are the kids they think no one, including their own parents, would believe or even notice. They entice them with kindness, cookies, candies, initially making them feel loved, special and important.
After having fully convinced them they can be trusted, the molestation begins. Out of this trust, and later out of fear, the child allows the perpetrator to do whatever they please to them. Often saying “this is our secret. This is right, it feels good and is meant to be.”
Those lies and manipulations can have a child trapped for years, afraid to tell out of shame and threats they wouldn’t be believed, killed, or destroy their families.
When a brave child finally tells, and the parents believe, that’s when the perp acts quickly with intent to discredit the child and manipulate all those who know them as a sweet, kind, Christian who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Unfortunately, society and community normally believe as the kids who were victimized this person can be trusted. Those that are deceived, rally around the perpetrator, while calling the bravest kid a big liar. Only professionals and evidence are on the side of the child.
The parents are blamed as well as the child. No one other than victims can see the face of the monster that pleads they are innocent when in fact they are truly guilty.
We as parents and people of this community need to wake up and see this crime does and is happing to our kids right underneath our nose. It’s our job to protect our children and believe in them until the perp is found not guilty. Too many of these crimes go unreported and swept under the rug. If people would do just a little digging they will see molestation is just not one occurrence; it is being done as a tradition within the perpetrator’s family.
Schools and parents should make it a priority to teach our children the difference between good touching and wrong. Teach them that grandma or dad’s good friend isn’t allowed to touch you privately at all. Teach our children their body belongs to them alone, and to tell at the first sign if something done to them feels wrong.
People please stop rallying around the perpetrator making them feel righteous and strong. Let’s rally around our victimized children so they can heal, grow, become strong, and know that telling the truth of molestation is never wrong. The harsh judgments of people who don’t know all the facts are the only ones that are wrong.
Christy Angelette
Kosciusko
