It Takes a Village

Have you ever been out in public trying to enjoy a nice day while humming the latest GLEE hits when all of a sudden you hear someone slap someone else and before you can locate the nearest emergency exit and or turn to see who is about to get into a rumble, you are left shocked to see that the loud slap was a parent striking their 4 year old child in the face.

Have you ever been over someone’s house for dinner where you are dining with their family, trying to ignore the uncomfortable comments the mom makes to her 13 year old daughter, terrorizing her about her weight?   As the little girl is just shuffling food back and forth on her plate staring at it with fear, you start to think to yourself, if she is willing to say that to her daughter in front of guests I cannot imagine what she says to this young girl when she is alone. 

How many times have you turned on the TV and saw a story about a leader in the community being accused of raping a child?  Whether it is the scandals that rocked the Catholic churches (not saying other denominations do not have their fair share of scandals too) or the recently publicized events of Former Penn State Coach Sandusky.  Have you or someone you know been inclined to think “I cannot imagine  He would do that to those kids, I’m sure they are just exaggerating, or trying to take advantage of this person so they can get fame or money”. 

Next time you doubt that child, whether to yourself or to their face, or the next time you do not speak up for that little girl who is being verbally abused, and the next time you do not stand up for that kid who is being abused in broad day light, think about the abuse you did not see that those children face.  It is our mission on our upcoming episode to shed light on this important subject, so that we can not only talk about ways we can get involved, but let those who are abused, or were abused know that we are on their side.