Hurting Hearts

I heard on the news recently that a 59 year old man broke into a home in the early hours and sexually assaulted the young girl whose bedroom was in the basement of the home. That just pissed me off. I shook my head and carried on with my day. This afternoon my son texts me that he's coming home early from school because he's quite shaken and can't focus. His friend was raped a couple of nights ago. Now there's a connection. Now my heart hurts.

Something like this happens and it affects so many people. I can't imagine what her parents are feeling! How about her neighbors? relatives? teachers? I have an idea how her friends and their parents are feeling. My heart hurts thinking about all of them.

What's the justice system going to do with him? Apparently not much. He's done this kind of thing before.....for over 10 years! He's out of jail in no time and released into the public to do as he pleases. No big deal.

So now what?

I can't help thinking about my own daughter. She's 13 years old. She and her friends have rubby-dubbs making lewd comments towards them on the city bus. What does the bus driver say? "Now guys, stop it or I'm going to kick you off the bus." How about kicking those fuckers off of the bus right now? These are young women being treated as objects for Christ's sake! I'm afraid for my daughter but I try to teach her how to handle these situations because these people are not worth wasting one's breath over. It's probably a good thing I'm not around when things like this happen. I'd end up serving time in jail longer than a rapist.

I've had to report a physical assault. It was at my place of work about 13 years ago and when I called the labour board they told me that there wasn't a workplace harassment law in Alberta. That's interesting. I was told to call the police because pushing people into warehouse racking and pulling hair so hard my neck almost snapped off was not appropriate. No kidding. I filed a police report. The police interviewed everyone involved...even my witness. I got a call a few days later telling me that everyone likes to joke around at their place of work and the policeman basically told me to lighten up. Oh, okay. What was I thinking when I reported this? My heart still hurts thinking about this.

So now what?

I don't personally know the young lady who was assaulted a couple of days ago but I know that she if was brave enough to report it immediately, she's an awesome person in my books. I know she will carry on and lead a wonderful life. I don't know her but I have faith in her.