We Need to Know the Truth
By Susan Steffen-Kraft
Yamashiro is a gymnast who is Japanese-American and was raised in California. And Katherine Starr formally Annabelle Cripes is a swimmer, born in Madison, Wis., to British parents. The gymnast is small and soft spoken, described as meditative and spiritual. The swimmer is outspoken and imposing, and has been described as a "bulldozer" of a woman. Yet when they met they had one thing in common; they had both been caught in the chain of sexual abuse!
Katherine Starr formed a group called safe4atheles.org. in order to help other athletes who have suffered. Children need advocates for their welfare and this is just one example of someone who stepped up and stepped out to tell her story. There should be help for all who have suffered this heinous act. It can happen anytime and anywhere to anyone.
I do not care what party or religion their abusers belong to. I do not care what party or religion Jerry Sandusky belonged to. I cried over what he did to his victims. And I feel I can say all this without any reservation! I was a victim for an entire year in the 5th grade. And u know what? I still do not care what political party the man who did that to me was part of! Dickey and Harrison I am sure do not care either!
We are survivors, we are strong, and we will never be victims again. We want others to know and protect the innocent! Make your child feel that they can come to you no matter what with no blame or embarrassment! There are scars to be sure! I had no one to turn to, because some years back there were no groups or words to express what went on!
Know your child's friends, parents, teachers, babysitters, and always always make sure they understand what is appropriate and what is not. It is so sad that one cannot give even hugs anymore without suspicion from someone of your behavior. It should never have come to that!
Sometimes there are things in life more important then politics! I hope you agree with that. U have to step up and do your part! The sickness in a person's head and heart can not be fixed by more laws and government! Thus you must always always be careful, watchful, and ready to protect the innocent among us!