I recently received communication from a member
of the greyhound community who chose to share their story of childhood sexual assault
and granted me permission to share their words. I am once again humbled and
honored to be trusted in such a way.
Greyhounds have been a
part of my life for 24 years and the knowledge that an individual who is a
lifetime registered sex offender and convicted child molester is
embraced/supported/admired in the greyhound community continues to sicken me
especially after reading accounts as I am about to share with you, knowing that
women, men & children with histories much the same are also part of the
greyhound community and attend greyhound or sighthound related events, often
having to come face to face with an individual known to them to be a child
molester who must register for life as a sex offender due to the severity of
the crimes.
If after you finish
reading my blog, you are able to utter phrases like - "I don't care, it
wasn't me or my child" or "the individual served his time" or
"as long as the individual helps greyhounds, it does not matter that they
sexually abused children" - I pity you and fail to understand how you show
such little regard for children yet profess to be willing to do "anything
to protect greyhounds".
These are the words of someone in the greyhound
community that is most likely known to many of you. Someone who truly helps the
dogs.
"I wanted to comment about your informative
posts regarding the sex abuser. When I was a child, I was molested repeatedly
by 2 older brothers.
The molestation started when they were
teenagers, and continued after they reached the age of 18. With today's
openness and awareness of sexual abuse, these 2 molesters, had this molestation
happened today, would have likely severed prison time and had to register as
sex offenders. But this happened in the 1970's.
My molesters are free to live their lives, while
I carry deep, deep scars that will forever be painful. I appreciate you making
people aware of this abuser’s history so hopefully parents can take steps to
protect their children from him.
The molestation I suffered was painful. But far
more painful to me are the decades since, where I see (on Facebook) pictures of
my molesters among other family members...all smiling together. It feels like a
huge slap in my face that people who know what these two did to me not only
accept my molesters, but share photos of them together smiling, and it shows up
on my Facebook page. I fear I will always be their victim. So... thank you for
sticking up for the victims whose lives are forever scarred by this man.
I recognize that this man has "done his
time", but parents need to be aware of him so they can protect their
children. I also want to point out that parents need always be on guard,
because not all molesters have been caught and identified publicly. My
molesters go to church most Sundays and may seem like decent people. They are
not. Please watch your children and trust no one. Family members and adults who
should be able to he trusted with your children (teachers, priests, other
clergy, scout leaders, etc.) are often the perpetrators. If you care to share
my message, you have my permission. Please keep my name private however....
Again, thank you for taking a stand to protect children."
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