Their Story

A few days ago, the Straits Times ran an article about a study done locally regarding 1 in 3 cases of sexually abuse being calculated. It sent shivers down my spine.

I don’t know which is worst. The fact being, out of every three cases of sexual abuse reported on children is premeditated, or the fact that two out of every three cases is done out of ‘accident’.

What the hell does that mean?!
What type of fucking accident can lead to that?!

How can such sickness prevail? *please stop the headache*

Last month, I read “My Story” written by David James Pelzer, which chronicles his fight for survival. The first two installments moved me to bits. It spoke with brutal honesty about the horrors of his childhood and the repercussions of abuse on a person.

A shame he carried through into adulthood.

I personally know of a secondary schoolmate, whom was sexually abused by her own drunk, lame-excuse of a father. As whispers flooded the school corridors, this was confirmed by her sister who was my classmate.

Her sister was at the other side of the door when it happened.

I was 14. That girl was 15.

Only 15.

You may even remember the story of how a local man sexually abused 5 of his daughters. All with the permission and help of his wivies. The biological mother of his daughters. To the extent of some of the daughters requiring abortions.

These people are not uneducated.

These people are sick.

No child should have to worry about someone crawling into bed with them at night.

Another friend had to endure not only witnessing the abuse his mother suffered at the hands of his father; he also endured the pain of his own burning flesh. This went on for more then 10 years, stopping only when his father abandoned the family. The lesser of two evils?

Physical. Emotional. Verbal. Neglect.

All branches of the root beyond reason, resulting only in lingering silent screams.

As an adult, it’s perfectly justifiable to scoff at such behavior. To spit in the faces of the accused and snatch the victim away. We brainwash ourselves into thinking that these are isolated acts of abuse. But if you dig a little deeper, what you’ll notice is actually a pattern; A repetitive cycle of abuse that can be traced for generations.

The road from point A to B may not neccessarily be straight.

Perhaps this is even an effect caused by societal norms?

In the past, it was alright to use force upon children deemed difficult to handle. We beat them without batting an eyelid. Parents shut their children in rooms for a 'time-out' session. Even to this day, we are still locking up adolescents for disruptive behavior. We allow the government to whisk these troubled teens to jail or some remand centre. And yet we ignore the plight and extent of the root cause for such outbursts.

The government teaches you a lesson by beating you.
Your mother, father can do the same.

That's utter bullshit. Violence begets violence. Only feeding the anger, allowing the pent up emotions and scars to build. Every new episode only serves to breeds more hate. The equation is crystal clear : Hate Multiplied. In turn, it snowballs into the next generation. And the before we can even realize, the victims end up being the perpetrator.

We are all mirrors of our parents.
It takes more then one can imagine to break such cycles.

David Pelzer’s story is said to be marred in controversy because he gave a one sided account of his childhood. I can only roll my eyes. Well, it’s HIS story. I am in no position to judge him. I believe that is his way of moving on.

Though I would like to read about his brother’s take on life in the Pelzer household. Unlike David, his brother; Richard, was never rescued. He became the object of their mother’s wrath after David was hauled away by the authorities.

Enduring the torment of a twisted discipline.

I cannot phantom how or why the other Pelzer children were not protected. David's case was reportedly the 2nd worse case of physical abuse in his state. Even to this day. Did the authorities think the abuse would have stopped at one child? Why did the neighbours and school turn a blind eye to history in replay? It's questions like these that continue to haunt me.

The stories these survivors leave behind inspire. It’s wonderful that these people are making a positive impact on society. Bravely, reliving their nightmares, in hope of spreading awareness.

Unlike those only exercising their fingers and playing the blame game. That’s just empty shit.

And I’m telling you straight in the face that the person ignoring the signs is also wrong. When your eyes tell you that something’s not right, you should always investigate further. When the pounding on the walls at night reveal a bruised eye in the morning, do something. The reality of abuse is that it can happen. And it does happen. Just don't ignore it.

Turning a blind eye is equivalent to being an accomplice.

My prayers are with the suffering.

And my head will instruct my hands not to hesitate to take action.

Mark my words. Mark my words.