I just read a disturbing article about a Principal in California who sent home a letter to parents regarding the Miramonte Elementary School scandal. The letter in its entirety is below the jump, but an excerpt is below:
As I reflect on the disturbing occurrences at Miramonte, I am more confused over the fact that the children did not report. How is it that the children did not believe that what the teacher was doing to them was wrong? How could being blindfolded, placed in a closet, and having cockroaches placed on them not be wrong? I believe that the teachers involved in these heinous acts preyed on the most vulnerable of the children; children of poverty, children of abuse, children with uninvolved parents, and children of undocumented parents.
Is this woman serious asking how the kids couldn't know it was wrong, didn't report? Really? This is the message our illustrious educators are sending out - hey kid - i'ts YOUR fault?
These are little children - what benchmarks do they have to compare it to? This is their first time doing "X" - they don't have reference points to say hey...something's not right here! They don't have the benefit of hindsight... they are innocent little girls and boys who trust those in a position of authority to do the right thing!
And then, to imply that it only happens in "children of poverty, children of abuse, children with uninvolved parents, and children of undocumented parents" WHAT????
If this is the best our educational system has to offer in this time of crisis, we are in serious trouble. This is the principal of a large elementary school in Los Angeles, CA. And THIS is her response? Blame the victim? This tells me more than anything that we MUST educate the public about child sexual abuse. These are the people who are "protecting" our children - teachers, administrators, educators - and THEY don't understand how this happens?
This is unacceptable. And we need to stand up and say enough! No more will we blame the victims in child sexual abuse cases. Children don't speak because they HAVE NO VOICE.
Tree Climbers is a community diary series for survivors of childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and those who support them.
Tree Climbers sustain each other, learn about childhood abuse, recover, and discover and create ways to protect children.
Trigger Warning - The next paragraph holds brutal words. Feel free to scroll past it.
In a typical diary, you might read of someone who survived the grooming (this does not mean hair brushing), the fondlings, the rapings, the beatings, the mutilations or the death threats perpetrated by a sadistic egocentric molester of an innocent. Criminals abuse their victims. For years. Families refuse to believe the victims. For years. Victims report being dead inside. For years. Families and society have stifled the voices of victims and magnified and perpetuated the abuse. For years. We weep. We rage. We heal. We inspire.
We invite you to climb or be lifted up in our safe tree with us. We have broad branches, sunshine, hammocks, cushions, and plenty of tissues. Comment on the diary, ask questions, and share your perspective or even your story. If you are too overwhelmed to speak, you can just witness. That's okay. A few of the Tree Climbers are as silent as a jury.
Tree Climbers Rule: Be kind.
No T r o l l s. When we were children, we had no power. But we are no longer children. Climbing trees is not healthy for trolls - everybody knows that. If you act like a troll in our tree, we will calmly watch while you become invisible.
|
Follow the Tree Climbers.† If you click the red heart (♥) or the word "Follow" next to "Tree Climbers" at the top of the home page of the Tree Climbers, our diaries will be delivered directly to your Stream.
Join Tree Climbers. You are welcome to join us. To do so, send a private message via kosmail to SallyCat for an invitation to join the group.
Special diaries and a radio broadcast. If you missed the first few days of the Tree Climbers, we recommend that you read the following three diaries and also listen to a radio interview.
• F**k Joe Paterno by Rebecca, January 22, 2012.
• “No One Spoke Up for Us": For The Children Who Had No Voice and for Those Finally Finding Theirs by Rebecca, January 26, 2012.
• In Solidarity. There is No True Justice for a Crime That Lasts Forever by dear occupant, January 26, 2012.
• Roxine's radio interview. On Dr. Laura's radio show on November 11, 2011, Roxine read her letter on air (8 minutes). You can read the text in "No One Spoke Up for Us."
Technical questions? See the Daily Kos Frequently Asked Questions, found also at the bottom of every Daily Kos page.
† Following. Once you become a member of Daily Kos, you can Follow (subscribe to) any diarist or group. From your home page, when you click on the tab "My Stream," a page will open that looks like an email Inbox. To see what a Daily Kos Stream looks like: SallyCat's "My Stream" page.
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1.800.656.4673.
|