Sexual Abuse

A recent article in the New York Times reported that a Catholic order in Canada had settled on a sexual abuse suit for $17 million dollars.

“The settlement covers incidents from 1950 to 2001 …”

1950? That was a long time ago. And yet, people have not recovered. People can’t recover from sexual abuse. It doesn’t matter if it’s a stranger or someone you know. All the therapy in the world can’t get rid of the pain, the shame and the feelings of worthlessness that can be associated with sexual abuse.

Sure — therapy is good. But through the years, I have found that unless you have dementia or Alzheimer’s, you can’t erase what the brain has had to deal with.

And so we have millions of people walking around who aren’t whole. The walking wounded. Sadly, the cycle continues as some of the hurt people turn around and hurt other people.

The next time you see anger, sadness, alcoholism, addiction or a myriad of other dysfunctions — they all may be a defense, a mask, for an abused person. Some wear faces of clowns when in public only to shed tears when in private.

May we always reach out in gentleness as we never know who has been touched by this horrible act.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

 

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