[lightcatcher]

So over the last few weeks I have put up with stupid peoples comments at work in regards to csa. By child I'm stating ages 0-18. Comments such as she lied before probably lying again. Or a 12 can say no. Or now today I don't think it happened, he said it happened over 10 years, he would have told someone.

Wtf. Do people actually believe themselves?! I work with people where our job is to protect children. I sit there and think wtf, I never told anyone, so many don't. I have spoken up a couple of times, today the woman kept talking over me. Wanted to just punch her.

Sigh. People are stupid. I'm struggling with the line between my stuff and work stuff but I just can't deal.

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by lightcatcher

So over the last few weeks I have put up with stupid peoples comments at work in regards to csa. By child I'm stating ages 0-18. Comments such as she lied before probably lying again. Or a 12 can say no. Or now today I don't think it happened, he said it happened over 10 years, he would have told someone.

Wtf. Do people actually believe themselves?! I work with people where our job is to protect children. I sit there and think wtf, I never told anyone, so many don't. I have spoken up a couple of times, today the woman kept talking over me. Wanted to just punch her.

Sigh. People are stupid. I'm struggling with the line between my stuff and work stuff but I just can't deal.

It's a tough job and not one I would want to do.

[Rapunzel]

A 12-year-old may not know that they can say no to an adult, or may not understand that they are being used. I've worked with older teens who were exploited by perverts on the internet and didn't understand that those guys were perverts and child abusers - the teenager doesn't think of herself as a child but still is and is vulnerable. There are so many reasons why kids don't tell. They are often threatened and intimidated and maybe there is nobody they think will believe them or take them seriously or understand or do the right thing without making things worse. They don't want to lose someone they love, and they probably will if they tell.

People tell themselves what is easiest to believe. There have only been a few windows in time during which society has recognized child abuse and taken a stand against it. Society tends to take sides with the perpetrators more often than not and to try to cover it up. We are fortunate to be in one of those windows when society is outraged by abuse and we know it is real and we won't tolerate it. Not everybody, of course, but we need to work to continue making progress in ending abuse while we have the chance.

It is easier to simply not see things that are outrageous or unbelievable than it is to look straight at it and call it what it is. Unfortunately, a lot of people choose not to see.

[tinyrabbit]

I'm so sorry you've had to hear this stuff. A 12-year-old cannot legally say no - the age of consent is there for a reason.

Can I ask what country you're in? In the UK they've just released new prosecution guidelines about how CSA victims act that bust a LOT of stupid myths.

CPS publishes fundamental new approach to prosecuting cases of Child Sexual Abuse as local government and Family Courts agree to share information for stronger prosecutions

[lightcatcher]

I live in the Southern Hemisphere. Child abuse is taken very seriously here. I just can't fathom people whose job it is to protect and believe these children held these thoughts. It's our job to believe them, not side with the adults who are alleged to have done stuff to these unwilling children.
No wonder kids don't speak up.

[Abby]

This is scary to hear. It sounds like these people require more training. Could you bring it up with higher management?

I'm sorry you have to deal with this at work. Take care of yourself.