To me, what has been unfolding has been frightening but not surprising. Unfortunately now I look at so many people with suspicion after a hideous case of child abuse unfolded recently in my family. My cousin who was also my best friend had been abusing one of my godsons for 6 years(!), at times under my own roof! My world imploded, as did my family. Our lives and the world as we knew it will never be the same. I didn't think it happened in families like mine. Extremely well educated people with prestigious jobs and held in great esteem by all they knew. And the level of deception was so complex and shocking. Pedophilia transcends all boundaries of race, age, sex, culture and socio economic background. I've done so much research into pedophilia over the last year to try and get my head around how and why this happened. Unfortunately pedophiles are born hard wired to have that sexual attraction. The same way that gays, lesbian and transgender people are born the way they are. There is no way of changing the way they are. Remember all the radical and disastrous methods used to try and cure homosexuals of their homosexuality in the past? If there is no way of curing these people (pedophiles) it is all about management and awareness. The stigma felt by victims must be awful but so unnecessary. The perceived shame leads to cover ups and these individuals get away with it and go on to damage more lives that can never be properly heeled.
There are so many flaws in our processes. Something has to change. Figures on child sexual abuse are absolutely frightening and possibly just the tip of the iceberg. Every one must speak up on these issues. Children must be educated that there is no shame in being a victim and that they need to be brave and speak up. I'm so proud of my godson finally speaking up after 6 years of abuse. He was scared of splitting up the family but didn't want other children to fall victim.
I truly feel heartbroken for all the victims in these cases. Though I'm sorry to say I have very little sympathy or respect for the type of women that protect men that they know have committed horrendous acts. Turning a blind eye is as criminal as the act itself as far as I'm concerned.