Be A Voice: Sexual Assault

As I hugged on two of our granddaughters this morning, my thoughts turned to this past weekend's latest vulgarity against women.  Donald Trump talking to Billy Bush several years ago about how he abuses women due to his position of power.

I am so weary of it all.  Yes, I'm weary of the political arena playing out 24/7 on TV, radio, and social media, but this is about what we, as women are STILL coming up against.  I am saddened by the predatory roles some men take with women, and how often they get away with it.

Sexual assault is assault.  Sexual harassment is what it says it is.  Sexual abuse is abuse. The world suffers each time a child or a woman suffers at the hands of a sexual predator.  It is NOT acceptable to brush it aside.  It is not acceptable to blame the victim.  It is not acceptable to flippantly excuse it with a "boys will be boys" or "locker room banter" attitude.  And I'm saying here that an apology is not enough.  It is not enough.

I was sexually abused as a child by a cousin and by a friend of my dad's.  I was sexually assaulted by a classmate in high school.....too often.  I was sexually harassed as a young woman.  I have way too many friends who share similar stories.  It is never okay and there are never any excuses that take away the trauma it causes.

And our daughters and granddaughters are waiting for those they love and trust to speak out for them, for others.  They are watching and learning by the actions and reactions of all whether or not they are loved and respected by those in their world as much as God loves and respects then.

Are they valued?  Are they esteemed?  Are they ever going to be safe in a society that preys on the innocent or closes their eyes to what is happening to young children, girls, women?

Too many people in positions of authority or power prey on others because they can.  Too many people are brushing it aside or closing their eyes to what's happening here and around the world because of their own agenda.

I want our granddaughters to live in a better world.  It begins by holding people accountable who prey on our innocent.  It begins by each of us speaking out and against those who verbally and physically prey on others.  There are those who are daring to make their voices heard.  Today I join with them again.  Be a voice!  Be God's Voice!!!