Winter Turns into Spring - The Blog
More than 82 000 Boys/Men Sexually Abused.
I recently watched "Scouting Boys of America" on Netflix. It filled me with such sadness and my heart broke for every single boy (some of them now men) for what they endured. Then I was filled with anger towards the Scouting Boys of America for doing absolutely nothing to protect these boys.
My anger rose to another level thinking about the misleading information ,out there, stating only women are sexual abuse victims. More than 82 000 boys have been sexual abuse. This number is just the tip of the iceberg, and there will be more. And the problem isn't just in America. More than 82 000 young lives shattered, destroyed and no adults were protecting them. Adults were more pre-occupied with covering up and blaming Gay individuals who they banned from the organisation, equalling being homosexual as being paedophiles. People in charge hid lists of predators so no one would know what truly happened in their group. Adults were more interested in keeping the appearance that the Scouting for Boys were a safe place where children were well looked after and treasured. When allegations started to surfaces they decided to file for bankruptcy.
Many boys* - too many - didn't survive. They died by suicide, by overdose. They died not because they weren't strong enough or because they didn't try hard enough to stay alive: they died of a broken heart. I have met some of these men, friends and other acquaintances who told me their own experience. One of them wondered if this was the reason why they was gay. And, yes, some had difficulties with addiction, homelessness and mental illnesses.
"As a society, it is important to look at all the facets of sexual abuse. We need to look in the dark corners and face the obscurity, so no little boys get raped."
The other myth needing bursting is that only men are sexual predators. The truth is some women are also capable of atrocious things, towards their own sons. Sadly, some mothers have no boundaries. As a society, it is important to look at all the facets of sexual abuse. We need to look in the dark corners and face the obscurity, so no little boy gets raped. If it is so hard for girls/ women to share their experiences, it is even harder for boys/men because there is this idea that they don't get raped. They don't get sexually assaulted and if they do, as men, they are taught to toughen up, to get on with things and to "Be a man!"
To point is: boys or girls, children shouldn't be sexually attacked. It is the responsibility of the adults to protect and to care for them. Each year, we are losing to many precious boys and men* to suicide because of the abuse they suffered from grown-ups they were told to respect and to obey.
I am afraid this is just the tip of the iceberg. 82 000 boys in the United States of America. This needs to be a wake-up call for all Scouting Organisations, worldwide.
This is a recurring scandal, it is everywhere. It needs to stop!!
Take gentle care of yourselves.
Sylvie
You can also read:
The Big Taboo: Boys and Men rape
If you need support, look at these links.
Survivors UK:
Their Mission: "We relentlessly work to ensure every boy, man, and non-binary person in the UK has access to the support they need to navigate the impact of sexual violence and begin their journey of recovery."
Their mission: "Our goals are to secure prevention, healing and justice for men and boys through research, advocacy and capacity building."
Rape Crisis: support for men and boys
*All individuals identifying as male and non-binary. I am an ally to all LGBTQ individuals, to all human beings.
