I just want to acknowledge all of the brave people here who acknowledge their abuse and are willing to discuss the details about the grooming and damage done. It will never stop shocking me, just how many people are sexually abused. In my life, I definitely know more females who HAVE than HAVE NOT. I am one of the lucky ones.
I sincerely hope that something changes. We need more advocates. We need stronger penalties for sex offenders. The reason it impacts so many people is because the abusers rarely abuse 1. They reach many! For every murderer, there is usually 1 victim. For every pedophile, there are 10, 20, 100 victims! And those victims feel such shame that they can't handle bringing charges or are told they will never be able to get that person off the streets. So, that abuser is free to continue the damage. And the damage to our babies continues. These abusers operate because they know no one ever wants to talk about it. They know they will still be allowed to operate in the shadows of humiliation and shame. I am not sure what needs to happen, but the spotlight needs to shine in those shadows so they cannot be so free to abuse. The first step would be to support and believe victims. Make them feel like if they go through the trauma of telling and testifying that some real action will occur. Not just a slap on the wrist or a blind eye turned. Adults who are abuser protectors need to be able to be charged, as well. Those who know about the abuse, but don't do anything to protect the child.
Anyway, that is my hot topic. It is the one thing I feel most passionate about. Not because I have lived it, but because I am a fierce protector of children. Thank you to our victims here for sharing. I hate that you had to have an experience that gave you insight to the dark minds of the abusers.