http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_111611_full_show.mp3/view
The link above was given to me on Facebook by Carol Cline. Thanks so much Carol for sharing this with me. I highly recommend you all taking the time to listen to the podcast. If you can't get there from this link, go to thestory.org and look for Sheldon Kennedy's story, "Why I didn't Tell".
What he speaks of is so right on, and that the perpetrator doesn't groom, control and manipulate, JUST the child, but all who come in contact with him. He is the master manilpulator. And the child senses that no one will believe him, for all believe the master manipulator, the community buys his 'coaching'....the parents trust him, etc. All are under the spell of his lurid game.
What else caught my attention is when he speaks of The Bystander, of those who know and say nothing...how we need to educate the bystanders.
Getting others to believe is educating the bystander. To try and get them to hear that the stories Jim, Josh, Carl and I are writing about is US trying to educate you, the bystander.
The Bystander who is standing by and believing in the tales and reputation HE is spinning.
I can honestly say, I get the web that is spun around all the folks as well as the children, it is thick and powerful and incredibly hard to penetrate.
You all are living in the web of lies and deceit that is spun IN order for his nest of sexual abuse to continue on. He has EVERYTHING to lose, so he spins and spins and spins....lies and a false life.
While he has control of our heads, your beliefs, your faith and trust, he can operate underneath and in the dark molesting children. The molested child sees you believing in his tale, and can feel like I, how we can't make you believe differently.
Perhaps what needs to happen the most is for you to at least ask the questions, dare to face this monster and see his reaction. Dare to be bold and questioning, dare to not just be a passive believer, ask for more proof. Look around. Dig deep into His life and accept for now, the child's word.
Just as Josh and Jim stepped forth to educate you ByStanders, they are doing so knowing you all will most likely NOT believe them. Most likely you will look instead at the intricate web that was spun to keep you from seeing beneath.
A minister is a grand role to use as a cover.
All stand in a bit of awe just in the presence of "a Minister".
Behind the 'role' of minister is a man. A man that two generations have come forth and said what he did to them.
Is that enough to break the spell, to tear the web?
As a person standing by....what do you do?
Will you help fill in the tear? Will you be the one who works deligently to help 'repair' this rip in his reputation....and allow the abused adult child go on not being believed?
What will it take....A third Generation?
Just know that we all are trying to educate the ByStanders.
We are here in support of the Victims.
Who are you here in support of...