How do we expect children to do what adults haven’t been able to do?
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, living in New York, I appreciate witnessing the remarkable outpouring of truth-telling by victims of sexual abuse and harassment from people of all walks of life. It is remarkable for two reasons. First, we are learning how far reaching this abuse is and how many industries have been complicit in hiding it for so long. Second, the #MeToo and similar movements have shown us how when brave people come forward, others can find the courage to do the same. This is centuries overdue.
Too many people in positions of power (mainly men, it would seem) use their power to take what they want, from whomever they see as vulnerable. Clearly, the young and inexperienced are most susceptible to their practiced and perfected grooming techniques. Yet even adults, much more life savvy than those just starting out, can feel powerless when faced with the threatened repercussions of reporting was has happened to them.
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