I listened to "Catch and Kill - Lies, spies and a conspiracy to protect predators" by Ronan Farrow - a Book about Harvey Weinstein, and the way sexual abuse is allowed to flourish.
I first heard about this book on a podcast, by the same name. What interests me the most, is how there is active work to keep the predators covered up. How we often believe, that IF the child/woman/girl told someone, then the abuse would end.
It is shocking and not so shocking to listen to the elaborate ways so many worked to NOT help the women.
And, secondly, the author's father is a pedophile, so some tried to say he had an axe to grind. Which is so odd on many levels. He wanted the truth to be told. He wanted the women to have a voice. He wanted the abuse to end. He wanted the man to be stopped
Which, it would seem is a normal and natural response to hearing about sexual abuse. And yet, it is not. What is way more normal, is the cover-up and the ways so many will try to attack the women.
Their lives, pasts and presents are picked apart - they become the focus NOT the perpetrator of the crime.
The decades these crimes cover, is not because women/girls don't tell. It is because there is a network that works to secure it is never known.
In this decade of #MeToo we are coming to learn, that it isn't the lack of reporting. It is the lack of uncovering.
The support and protection the abuser gets is mind-blowing.
In comparison to those who line up behind the ones abused.
NBC and their lack of reporting, and the way they too knew about Matt Laurer, shows how power is power.
Rape and sexual assault is not about sex; it is about power.
And, in order for you to expose the abuser, you have to often fight a powerful machine.
What I find hope in, is that more women are still speaking out, regardless of knowing they will be scrutinized not the abuser. More books are being written to show the landscape and culture of rape AND who is allowing it to continue.
The lengths they go to cover up sexual assault boggles my mind.
Perhaps, if there is an actual cost to their reputation for knowing and doing nothing, policies will change.
NBC knew and did nothing.
When you listen to the headlines, question who has the most to lose.
What would a religion have to lose IF they admitted to supporting abusers?
And, look at those who are willing to speak up, knowing they will be dragged through mud for standing up to these powerful entities. Strong women will be changing this culture, along with brave men who will support them.
Thank you Ronan Farrow!
The truth is often hidden under layers of untruths.
(Catch and Kill - means to catch the story and kill it before it gets aired.)
