I M Perfect lady

Below is my Letter to the Editor.

"Can we really be silent, when once again, another case of criminal sexual conduct is reduced, and once again, a light sentence is handed out, when another victim's story is played around with by the attorneys until it isn't even recognizable?

Who truly believes that we have a Justice System

Who does this really serve?

I can't know all the details, but enough was said in the paper, that 15 to 20 rapes to a child between the age of 5 and 8, and the perpetrator gets 100 days.  How is this right in our world?

The courage it took for this victim to step forth is the same fuel I hope she can use to continue to speak for herself, to stand up with her truth, and to know, that no matter how it is received, it isn't her fault.

The heroine in this story is the one who not only survived being raped as a child, but has the courage to let us know who did it, so the rest can be forewarned.

I am happy he was caught at such a young age, but am very concerned that in 100 days, he will be a free man.

From what I understand, the healing rate of pedophiles is slim to none.

So, this young person warned the courts and the courts felt the need to reduce the charges and set him free.  

Our task as the general public is to take notice.  Notice that a pedophile has been set free.  This is our community. Next election for prosecutor, remember this.

And to the judge who said it was "unfair and causes pain and hurt."  Really, Unfair? No Judge, it was a crime.  And more damage is caused by allowing this man to leave the courtroom, damage is caused by allowing this man to leave the courtroom with a slap on the wrist.  

Beth Jukuri

What prompted me to write, was that time and time again, we see in the paper a crime being reduced and victims watching how their history is rewritten, and in doing so, the sentence is so light…yet the affect from abuse is not lightened at all, and if nothing, it is made worse.

Instead of focusing on the broken Legal System, I believe it is better to focus on the courage and empowerment that comes from speaking out loud.

Speaking out is crucial to healing, to getting out from under the cloak of shame silence carries.

It doesn't matter who believes you, what matters is telling your story to someone.

The telling releases the shame and lessens the responsibility, giving it back to the abuser.

Whether he serves time or not, you have given him back his deeds and it is no longer yours to carry.

The secret was about what he did to you, not about what you did to him.  When we keep silent about it, we carry it like it is ours.

It doesn't matter if the court system fails…the person speaking up did not fail.

We can literally see the wide expanse between failure and empowerment.

The victim didn't fail in her reporting…she instead began the process of taking back her life; restoring truth back into her reality.

Certainly we can focus on the failures of the legal system, but we would then miss seeing the courage of the victim.  There are two stories and when we set our eye upon what they did wrong we miss what the victim did right.

If we believe that it only pays to speak up IF there will be justice served, we then are missing the bigger picture.

Speaking up isn't to punish the abuser, but it is to free us from being tangled up in their lies and dysfunction.  It frees us to begin living a life empowered and free…no longer shackled to our abuser in silence.

Let the courts lie in their own dysfunction and put your attention on making your world abuse free.  You have taken the first step by identifying your abuser to the Law.  Turning him in allows you to reclaim your true history.

No matter what the relationship was with your abuser, you have the right to set the record straight.  It matters not what the courts do, it matters greatly what you do for your self.

Detective Tom Rosemurgy will hear you.  He will allow you to speak your truth. You do not have to press charges…give him the name and clear your history.

Dial Help will also listen as you rescue your truth back from the silence.

Your courage comes from speaking.

The greater the fear of speaking out, the more crucial it is to do.  It means that your life blood, your spirit, your essence is caught up in the silence and protecting your abuser.  Your world will not end when speaking, but the pretending will.

Speaking is dropping the responsibility and shame…returning you to….(I had to look up what words were opposite of shame. And here is what I found.

Honor, Pride and Grace.  This is what is waiting for you when you speak out.

Let the shame go and you will find the seeds to honor, pride and grace.