Speak up

3 Responses to Speak up

1. MCJF says:

   July 20, 2011 at 11:12 am

   My sister and I worked in the St. Cecilia’s Church Rectory in Toronto, Ontario during the summer of 1965. I was 15. We worked in the kitchen and served the priests meals. I was molested by the housekeeper Dorothy every chance she got, stoking and pinching my breasts and buttocks and prodding between my legs and putting her hand up my skirt. This did not happen to my sister. The pastor was Father MacGrath. I never reported this abuse.

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2. m h gaboury says:

   March 12, 2012 at 8:13 pm

   I know someone who was molested by a priest in northern Ontario decades ago. The crime will probably never be reported, and the priest may never get accused. Some victims will never step forward. Who can blame them for trying to leave the pain and shame in the past? If all acts of pedophilia committed by Roman priests were reported, the newspaper articles would use up rolls of paper, and the blog posts a lot of bytes. Those who know victims who will not report must make up a significant portion of our population.

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3. Sylvia says:

   March 12, 2012 at 8:41 pm

   I think the problem is not so much that the victims want to leave the pain and shame in the past as it is that they are burdened by the shame and therefore ashamed to speak up, and afraid that if they do people will belittle and ridicule them.

   I pray that your friend finds the courage to speak up. It is huge step for a victim to start to realize the shame is not his/her to bear, and that it belongs squarely on the shoulders of his/her abuser.

   The shame must go where it belongs: It is a massive burden which the child carries from the time he/she was molested until the time he/she finally finds the courage to speak up. My prayer for all victims is that they overcome that fear which leaves them struggling under the terrible burden of shame.

   I do believe that a victim’s silence is the greatest ally a predator can hope for, and it’s a cunning foe for the victim.

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