Reporting to the Police
My last post, "Our Savage Species" received many accolades (publicly & privately). I received some messages whereupon I realized that awareness is still lacking
My last post about “Our Savage Species” was generally received with praise and thanks. However, I received a few, particularly from a stalwart paid subscriber that gave me pause.
Apologies to everyone on this list who gets it.
My pause wasn’t because the questions and insights were poignant. My pause was because my message, and subsequently many in the healing community’s messages have not been received or heard, or understood.
Hence, this message for those still not getting it: Child Abuse, particularly CSA is one of the most egregious crimes of our species.
Here is the statement from a paid subscriber that stopped me in my tracks:
To better understand the depth of the issue, we need more data1
Do we? Data would be nice, but we don’t need more numbers, testimonies and reporting to see the walking wounded amongst us, or the psychophants who suppress2 their humanity and robotically act with dominance, violence and perversion.
I responded succinctly with a quick, “The problem is that many victims of sexual assault do not report.” I sent links to a few of the posts I’ve written about reporting and why I know that the statics are low.”3. Even if an incident is reported, conviction is even less likely. Many victims are re-victimized during the interrogations and proceedings.4
My official message to victims/survivors on reporting:
I have officially stated to victims and survivors: It is up to you to decide if you wish to report. I’ve tried to convey the hazards as well as the help survivors can receive if they report. My number one priority is to the victim/survivor and not the the perpetrator. Yes, I would like to pay for their abhorrent behavior, but I’m not sure even jail time adequately punishes them for their soul murdering/attempted soul shattering actions.
I ended my response with, “I’m not part of the statics.”
He wrote back, “What? You wrote a whole book about it, 30 years ago.”
I explained that when I was a kid, I know that my neighbor tried to report it and was turned away by the police, the school, the school district, the Church, and the limited child wellness organizations that were available. I don’t know how many others tried to alert the authorities. I just know of one woman who valiantly tried to get assistance and help—to no avail.
I also referred him to the famous study from 20205, “Unfounded Sexual Assault: Women’s Experiences of Not Being Believed by the Police”.
Pull Your Head Out of the Sand
To those blissful souls who don’t have a clue, pull your head out of the sand6. The sand diving and denial might have been understandable 100 years ago, but not now. It’s past time. You must address this problem, for the survival or our species, for the children and for all of us.
Victims/Survivors:
To my beloved survivors, please keep healing. I know it’s hard, but you are still here. It’s not your fault. Overall life is authentically beautiful. As you heal, you will be more and more free.
Do it for you and all of us.
Here is the full message: “Interesting post you made. I like (like? That is a weird word to use but I don’t have a replacement) to read in Wiki about the crimes of people who are on death row, or have been executed. I also watch real crime TV documentaries (maybe 3-4 hours in a year) which would be about 10-15% of all my TV viewing annually.
In almost every case, the murderer was abused as a child.
To better understand the depth of the issue, we need more data about:
How many people that were abused do not commit violent crimes, or if they are in powerful position in the military, do not make choices for war?”
Or they are so damaged that their soul died or it is so buried it seems they don’t have one.
Ibid, here is my official statement on reporting to the police:
”To my beloved survivors, your well-being and healing is paramount. This is your decision. RAINN also commented that “Some survivors say that reporting and seeking justice helped them recover and regain a sense of control over their lives.”19
Again, this is your choice. Don’t let anyone ever bully you or tell you what to do in this regard. If you need help and support in making this decision, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673).
This entire post was about the choice a victim/survivor has regarding reporting a Sexual Assault to the police. Again, it’s your choice.”
Unfounded Sexual Assault: Women’s Experiences of Not Being Believed by the Police
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9136376/
Some have used more colorful metaphors than sand.