Yesterday on my morning walk I made a horrifying discovery. There is a church nearby with a shady stretch of parking lot where I do lunges. When I got to the back of the lot there was a child's sock and a condom wrapper next to each other. The lot was clean and clear - no other debris around, not even spring droppings from the trees above me. My heart stood still and my body was paralyzed with the "knowing" that a child had been abused and raped. There is an elementary school a block away...
I picked them up and carried them gingerly home, tears streaming down my face. I called the police, hoping they could do something helpful with the evidence. They were kind but uninterested; the officer attributing my find to the wind we had experienced the day before - despite my insistence that the lot was clear. I called the school and the principal assured me that they stayed abreast of sexual predators in the area and thanked me for my call. I asked him to talk to the teachers, to encourage them to really look at and listen to their kids - to LOOK for the one who has been hurt, who seems distracted or anxious or scared; to watch the one whose work is suffering, to see the one who has become aggressive and angry - and to TALK to them. Give them the space and safety to tell the secret. Keep watch.
I ask the same of each of you. We all have children in our lives in some capacity. Watch them. Create a safe environment and let them know they can trust you to talk about things with them. This epidemic knows no boundaries - it happens everywhere. Keep watch.
I just had a conversation this morning with parents who learned their daughter is using heroin - again. I know a family whose son is facing prison time. I am working with young women who have been raped, beaten, deceived, and betrayed. Their hearts are broken and their souls are damaged. Addiction, abuse, trauma, slavery, trafficking - young lives are being taken and tossed away like so much trash. Keep watch.
You are in a position to help. You have kind, generous hearts. You have resources and connections. Start with your own circle of influence and just BE a safe haven and a person who is watching and listening; a person who allows yourself to "know" and move on that knowing when it comes.
Keep watch.
If you are interested, here are some things to read, watch, and act on:
www.mendingthesoul.org Read Mending the Soul by Steven Tracy - remarkable work!
www.gems-girls.org Read Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd
www.sharedhope.org Read Renting Lacy by Linda Smith
www.streetlightusa.org
http://www.mercycorps.org/colombia/childsoldiers?akid=1574.205730.6O97av&rd=1&source=E1570&t=6 A beautiful video of healing child soldiers in Columbia
www.ceaseaz.org Read about the case of cardiologist, Dr. Richard Lewis. It will blow your mind!
He sexually assaulted his patients, many while under anesthesia for surgical procedures! Please sign the petition to see that justice is served for these women at the link below.
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-honorable-judge-thumma-give-dr-richard-lewis-the-maximum-sentence-for-his-sex-crimes
Keep watch,
Beth
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