Would You Say Something?

If your brother/father/uncle/cousin were involved in a sexual relationship with a minor would you say something? Would you say something to him to maybe convince him to stop? Would you say something to the girls parents? Would you say something to law enforcement? Would it matter if he were involved in law enforcement or a prominent person in public safety? Would it matter if the girl were over 16 or not? Would it matter if the girl had a history of promiscuity with men? Would you just treat the girl like it were her fault and not say a thing? Would it matter if he were married?

People think things like that just don't happen to me or in my family. No one I know or love could ever do something like that. I bet if you were to ask 5 of your friends if any of them have been sexually abused at least one (and possibly all of them) would say yes in some way or another and most would say it was a family member or someone close to the family.  Do you really know what your brother does when he leaves the house? Are you sure your uncle is simply just overly nice and just likes to "tickle" the girls that are at his house for the family gathering? Do you know what it feels like to not be worth it when a man takes advantage of you instead of just trying to help you? Are you aware of the impact sexual abuse has on a person? What about early sexual experience, how does that affect a person? How do you think these young girls learn how to be sexually active at such a young age?

Are your eyes open? Do you pay attention to the people around you, around your kids? Are you willing to put a stop to something that you see or just turn a blind eye? What if it isn't your kid? What if it's just your uncle? What if you just aren't sure? If it were your husband would you want to know?

If more people were to open their eyes and ask questions of anything semi suspicious more girls would be saved from the heartache of being taken advantage of and abused. It is painful to know that you are worth nothing but what your body can give. It is painful to know that in order for someone to help you grow and learn you have to give yourself to them. Don't let people you love feel this way.

Openly talk about sexual abuse to your children and nieces and nephews. Keep step siblings out of the same room, yes even if they are same sex because boys abuse boys also. Limit the alone time step parents have with your children. Pay attention to your child if they are all of a sudden unhappy to go near one person. Know what your teenage daughter is doing at all times!!! What men have taken a sudden interest in your daughter? Why are they interested in her? Does she spend a lot of time with him? Are his intentions good? Does grandpa want your daughter to come over and help him a lot alone? Is your daughter openly flirting with older men while she is underage? Why is this? Have you talked with her? Do you know what she does in her spare time away from you?

If you saw something suspicious would you say something?