Some where in my recollections, my Mom shared some things she did at the time to help her decide what the right thing to do would be. She met with two small town medical doctors who blew off her inquiries with 'Aw, don't worry about it. It happens all the time'. Her shock to the responses was apparent . She never dreamed she would hear what these men said when she made the appointments to discuss the incest discovery. I imagine her level of disbelief was as unfathomable as my own when I heard her say those words to me.
Trigger... flashback...
David Fowler, 'Why do we need a bill like this? This only happens in poor families,' said matter-of-factly to one of my attorneys in the early Tennessee legislative session of 1996 in reference to my bill before the legislature that would extend the statute of limitations for child abuse survivors to 35 in his home state.
How have I rationalized and desensitized myself to the thought that anything short of criminal punishment is all right? My fire WAS just smoldering, but NOT today. My fire is blazing. I am prompted to action: letters to Senators, House Representatives and other advocates. Is it time to mandate at the federal level, NO statute of limitations for survivors of child sexual abuse for all states? Is that possible? Around 35 years of age is when victims of child sexual abuse start to understand the depth and breadth of the damage done and only then, can they start to heal from the trauma.
One letter already sent. Another e-mail sent just a few minutes ago. I'm scared, yes. But, if I don't speak out, I'm letting the perpetrators win.
I fell into a pattern of excusing the abuser, what ever the situation ~ how twisted is that? I have to consciously recognize how I allow people to stomp on me, take advantage of me, squish me out like I'm not important. My self worth isn't listed among their priorities, therefore, what is important to me doesn't warrant even my own time and attention. How do you get that back?
By doing this... plummeting to depths of depression into the most horrific memories to arise strong enough to battle.
Challenging what, you might ask? Some laws of this land.
One letter already sent. Another e-mail sent just a few minutes ago. I'm scared, yes. But, if I don't speak out, I'm letting the perpetrators win.
I fell into a pattern of excusing the abuser, what ever the situation ~ how twisted is that? I have to consciously recognize how I allow people to stomp on me, take advantage of me, squish me out like I'm not important. My self worth isn't listed among their priorities, therefore, what is important to me doesn't warrant even my own time and attention. How do you get that back?
By doing this... plummeting to depths of depression into the most horrific memories to arise strong enough to battle.
Challenging what, you might ask? Some laws of this land.