The double edged sword will never leave us alone in our minds.
Nor of societal response to those who have been abused.
We have to strive to change that, but it still makes me weary of society response to those who have had to suffer,

ste

I think that one of the problems has to do with sociopaths. I am going to review an excellent book on this soon in a different thread. It is The Sociopath Next Door.

Lots of our abusers were (are) sociopaths. They look like everybody else. They don't look like "monsters". Sociopaths are "untroubled" by having a conscience. They can abuse and manipulate without ever feeling bad about it. They are often excellent actors and can be very charming people. They are charming but they damage other people in terrible ways. They can often get by without being proscecuted. This book claims that 10% of the population is sociopathic. This is a startling fact.

Since they are very manipulative and self-seeking, they can worm their way into positions of leadership. Most of us don't have any idea how dangerous these people can be.

They are capable of passing laws which would protect themselves as abusers. Or, in other positions of leadership they would be quick to pass the blame back on to their victims.

Most people don't realize that these people are amongst us and how dangerous they can be.

Allen

pufferfish

This is a very passionate topic for me.

For so long, I had the belief that I was going to be an abuser, no matter what. It was just destiny. In fact, it was reinforced by the ignorance of the media, and still is so much a part of society, and also all the group homes and hospitals had this idea I would just carry on into adulthood. I really think that is degrading and selling someone short. Giving a human being who deserves love, respect and a good perception on the future and what it has to offer, absolutely no chance because you have told him how it's going to be, and especially as a child, you will probably believe it.

This is one of the things I am really passionate about, and wish to devote my time and life work to, educating the public about the reality of abuse, in particular sexual abuse of boys and men, and how it affects them, and that it doesn't mean they turn into abusers themselves, and ways we can help them.

Lets keep this discussion going.

J.R.