rapunzel, you sound a great parent to me. i wish i had that kind of trust with my parent/s. my dad still doesnt know about the sexual abuse i suffered 9 years ago from my brother who was 16 at the time (i was 10), and i find it hard tot ell my dad because i know he wouldnt understand, and he would do something severe, like take it out on my brother and hospitalise him, and then my dad will get arrested, then its 2 lives ruined. i believe you have done the right thing rapunzel, and i think you are fantastic for acting the way you did. not reporting it is a good idea, because you did it so your daughter doesnt have to go through another interrogation, so you are doing whats best for her. the abuser will get what he deserves one day, im sure.

it is sick to think that our society is so reliant on sex. sex is used as a selling angle for almost anything these days. so for a very young person growing up and learning that sex is power, its no wonder these offences are taking place. i just wish there was more we can do. maybe we should all set up a website, like a support website where we can get loads of e-signatures and then take them to our governments. it iwll show just how many people are willing to put an end to this abuse. maybe thats what we should do, all go together and stand up strong against this, as survivors of such abuse.

i know a neighbour who i was dating about 3 years ago, she told me that her step-dad "touched" her in inappropriate places, nad she hasnt ever told anyone except me. she was around 10 years old at the time. he is a violent man too, he has hit his step-son who is 18 years old, and he has a son that is his, 10 years old. god only knows what happens behind closed doors. so i have been living with this knowledge for a while and i wonder how she deals with it (we dont talk now, she decided to hate me shortly after telling me, i think she couldnt deal witht he fact she told me, so she pushed me away).

there is too much of it around, and something needs to be done. i do think we should all spend some of free time making a website and making people aware of what is going on, it could include phone numbers for support (of local sexual abuse helplines, and the samaritans etc) and it could have a forum where people could come to ask for advice. solely for victims of abuse, any type of abuse really. its like i said, when i am older, i have plans to do as much as i can to help these victims. somebody needs to stand up and shout for these children who are too afraid. and i think, as survivors ourselves, we are the right people. what do you think?

simon

p.s. sorry if this is hijacking the thread, i hope it isnt.