Sexual Abuse and Violence
How can I write this article with tears running down my face? As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, my heart aches with commiseration and compassion every time I hear accounts of sexual assault, rape, or incest—forms of unconscionable, soul-numbing violence that damage body and self-esteem, acts that plunge both victim and perpetrator into a darkness from which it is difficult to emerge. Here are a few recent, newsworthy examples.
Just today, the Humans of New York Facebook page posted a woman’s story about being sexually abused by two family members until she was eleven years old. It appears that her anger and frustration at believing she could not tell anyone about what she had endured affected her mental connection with reality, resulted in a terrible crime, and committed her to a lifetime of pain and anguish. She is a focus for my specific prayerful work today.
Last week, A hateful misogynist, on the record for advocating legalization of rape on private property, and other abusive sexual practices, sought to organize worldwide “tribal meetings” for men with similar views. Fortunately, right-thinking, humane protesters forced him to cancel his plans.
In January, a Muslim female professor from the highly respected Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, claimed that Allah has given Muslim men permission to rape non-Muslim women in order to “humiliate” them—also stating that enslaving enemy women and raping them would not only be entirely acceptable, but should be encouraged! She made these outrageous comments while being interviewed on Al-Hayat TV. These statements clearly support the barbarous way captive Yazidi women have been brutalized by ISIS.
Have you seen the movie “Spotlight?” It is a chilling and heartbreaking reminder of the horrendous and systemic sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests that went virtually ignored or covered up by church hierarchy for eons. The number of documented incidents in countries around the world is staggering, and the effects of childhood sexual abuse—fear, anger, shame, guilt, isolation, attempted suicide—are devastating.
It is important to acknowledge that sexual assault is not limited to particular countries, cultures, or races, but is routinely perpetrated in what are considered the most civilized nations. This form of violence is a scourge and a disgrace and requires not only the most vigorous condemnation, but universal action.
All in authority, especially religious leaders, must cease to perpetuate and abandon ancient beliefs, doctrines, and practices that accept or promote women as inferior or subservient to men, and it is imperative that they actively, forcefully, and passionately speak out against sexual violence in any form. It must be clearly stated that this crime against humanity is a complete violation of Law, Life, and Love—an abomination against the very nature and being of God. This Truth must be assiduously imparted to children from the time they are very young. Each must be taught to understand that we are all threads in the tightly woven fabric of humanity, and when any thread is damaged, it undermines the integrity of the whole garment.
Only when we fully comprehend and respect that each human being is the complete expression of all facets of God’s perfect, pure nature, worthy of tender care and loving-kindness—and act accordingly—will we be able to find a healing path for this troubled world.
How can I write this article with tears running down my face? As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, my heart aches with commiseration and compassion every time I hear accounts of sexual assault, rape, or incest—forms of unconscionable, soul-numbing violence that damage body and self-esteem, acts that plunge both victim and perpetrator into a darkness from which it is difficult to emerge. Here are a few recent, newsworthy examples.
Just today, the Humans of New York Facebook page posted a woman’s story about being sexually abused by two family members until she was eleven years old. It appears that her anger and frustration at believing she could not tell anyone about what she had endured affected her mental connection with reality, resulted in a terrible crime, and committed her to a lifetime of pain and anguish. She is a focus for my specific prayerful work today.
Last week, A hateful misogynist, on the record for advocating legalization of rape on private property, and other abusive sexual practices, sought to organize worldwide “tribal meetings” for men with similar views. Fortunately, right-thinking, humane protesters forced him to cancel his plans.
In January, a Muslim female professor from the highly respected Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, claimed that Allah has given Muslim men permission to rape non-Muslim women in order to “humiliate” them—also stating that enslaving enemy women and raping them would not only be entirely acceptable, but should be encouraged! She made these outrageous comments while being interviewed on Al-Hayat TV. These statements clearly support the barbarous way captive Yazidi women have been brutalized by ISIS.
Have you seen the movie “Spotlight?” It is a chilling and heartbreaking reminder of the horrendous and systemic sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests that went virtually ignored or covered up by church hierarchy for eons. The number of documented incidents in countries around the world is staggering, and the effects of childhood sexual abuse—fear, anger, shame, guilt, isolation, attempted suicide—are devastating.
It is important to acknowledge that sexual assault is not limited to particular countries, cultures, or races, but is routinely perpetrated in what are considered the most civilized nations. This form of violence is a scourge and a disgrace and requires not only the most vigorous condemnation, but universal action.
All in authority, especially religious leaders, must cease to perpetuate and abandon ancient beliefs, doctrines, and practices that accept or promote women as inferior or subservient to men, and it is imperative that they actively, forcefully, and passionately speak out against sexual violence in any form. It must be clearly stated that this crime against humanity is a complete violation of Law, Life, and Love—an abomination against the very nature and being of God. This Truth must be assiduously imparted to children from the time they are very young. Each must be taught to understand that we are all threads in the tightly woven fabric of humanity, and when any thread is damaged, it undermines the integrity of the whole garment.
Only when we fully comprehend and respect that each human being is the complete expression of all facets of God’s perfect, pure nature, worthy of tender care and loving-kindness—and act accordingly—will we be able to find a healing path for this troubled world.
