Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Children’s Voices and Scars.”
Unfortunately, we are living in a time when many people are “destroyed” from various forms of abuse: physical, verbal, and emotional. This frequently occurs to those that are more vulnerable in society (e.g. exploited children). It is especially tragic that children–those that are still innocent and defenseless–are made to suffer at the hands of those that are bigger, stronger, and authority figures in their lives (teachers, clergy, etc.).
At the most basic level, we need to:
- Listen (carefully), empathize, and be supportive.
- Don’t be dismissive, make assumptions, or jump to conclusions.
- Yes, everyone deserves a fair hearing and for the facts to be known.
- No, we can’t as a community run from this uncomfortable issue any longer!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
andyblumenthal 