Jaycee Lee Dugard Case

I was glued to this for a couple of days, until I realized it was affecting my ability to smile. My next therapy session is Monday after work; it will be a topic, I’m sure. In my Sociology studies, we watched many news clips of male professionals such as firefighters, police officers, clergy, and neighbors who all disregarded a woman’s plea for help, or ignored the obvious discrepancies of a private or secluded household (all the women died at the hands of her “man”). The saddest part of this is that society has changed and prevents these potential savors from acting on their inner warnings. We don’t become involved, either because we want to avoid a lawsuit, or because we believe someone else will notice and take action. Men also hesitate to step in because of peer pressure to avoid stepping in on issues with another “man’s” woman. So, they slap each other on the back and go home.

Sad, but that is what our world has become. Even women will avoid what they believe is over-stepping their bounds because she would rather be treated as “one of the guys” instead of how she sees other women are treated by their men. I’m on my soap box and it will take hours to climb down off of it, but let me finish by saying I know women can be as much abusers as men, it’s just that the percentages are much lower.

It's impossible to know what Jaycee and her daughters went through. My heart goes out to them and their family as they're about to embark on a long road towards healing.

While it is validating in regards to proof that such abuse can occur anywhere in the world, that proof comes at a cost. I would also question how many abusers would identify with Phillip Garrido. Their minds would not allow themselves to draw comparisons between what he has done and what they do. It's interesting that his defence is basically going to be that he is misunderstood and (in his words) this evolved into something beautiful - trying hard to swallow the nausea while typing that.

Each example and conviction for abuse chips away at the incorrect information out there about offenders and the harm they do.

I hope Jaycee's entire family get all the help they need to heal.

Take care,
castorgirl

This has triggered me terribly. That poor 11 year old girl was at this couple's mercy for all of those years. He damaged her so badly that even after growing over 18 years of age...she still remained at their mercy. This is the definition of hell in it's purest form. I am just stunned.

I've only just sort of caught up on this. I read about it when she first came forward but then didn't want to read anymore till earlier this evening. Gotta take that kind of thing in chunks, ya know.

I've slowly been learning over the past couple of weeks though that if we talk about things, if we share information with each other, if we press each other even just a little not to turn a blind eye, that sometimes...sometimes people do respond. Change can happen, people will hear you, people will help. If the first few people don't, you just gotta keep at it.

In regards to female abusers...is the percentage really that much lower or is it just that "taboo" to talk about? Personally, those are the things I buried the deepest I think and things I have the hardest time talking about. Actually only in the past few weeks have I finally let some of that out.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10594916&pnum=0

this describes the town where she was held hostage.
for anyone who thinks no-one does these sorts of things to little girls - open your eyes: it happens.