Child Sexual Abuse – Who is the True Predator?
When I announced to my blogging friends that I was posting during the month of April about Child Abuse Awareness and asked for guest posts, several bloggers sent me messages or emails telling their stories. I am honored that they trust me with their innermost secrets and I am amazed at their strength.
Angela shared this email with me and gave me permission to share, but did not want any other identifying information due to the possibility of her daughter being further embarrassed. Please help me show support for Angela and her experience.
This is a touchy subject for me, but my daughter was molested by her uncle when she was 5 years old and he got away with it.
They didn't find him or take him to court until she was 7 years old. Our court system put her through absolute hell and basically called her a liar because she couldn't recall details like what she was wearing.
Anyhow to make a long story short, there was no evidence and it was his word against hers. Because you cannot convict someone when there is "reasonable doubt" that they could be innocent, he walked free. I don't want to give any weirdos ideas out there but it sickens me to know that a man can fondle, and have oral sex with children and get away with it because there will be NO evidence to convict him unless someone catches him in the act.
Then it is their word against the child when it goes to court, and since every accused has the right to face their accuser, these children are forced to go to court trials and be put through hell. They are cross examined by lawyers that call them liars and try to make them cry, and break down. I don't know how these lawyers sleep at night!
Last I knew 1 out of every 4 girls and 1 out of every 6 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse. If you look at a classroom of 30 kids those numbers are horrifying. Statistics show 1 out of every 4 kids molested are molested by family. I always made my kids aware of the dangers of strangers, but if I had it to do over again I would have specifically stressed awareness towards uncles, brothers, police officers and even teachers.
Kids are made to believe that police officers are safe and you really can't trust anybody. I don't know if you want to use any of this on your blog, but you are more than welcome to. I don't want to post anything about this on my blog due to the embarrassment it could cause my daughter, as she is 13 now.
Take care, Angela
Thank you, Angela, for sharing this story with me and for allowing me to show your voice on my blog. I will pray for peace for you and your daughter.
How do you teach your children about Sexual Abuse and staying safe?
When I consider the reality that I was molested as a child by a relative, and then I hear these stories, I have a firm foundation for not leaving my son with a baby sitter- related to him or not a relative.
It is sad that we live in a world where people can do this to children and get away with it… and after all these kids go through then they are insulted on top of the injury for speaking out!
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She’s so right. I was molested by my brother when I was little and my parents had no clue until I was 19 and told them. And it’s not just boys doing the molesting…girls are totally capable, as well. Seems like people are easy to trust until its too late. That’s why I am so over protective of my kids!!
Why would a kid lie about that? They don’t! They called me a liar too back in the 70′s when I was a kid.