Over the last week or so, Moof has been devoting her blog to the subject of sexual abuse. It began when Moof and a friend jointly posted a personal story about childhood abuse, and the issue seems to have exploded as more and more people wrote in about their own experiences with abuse.
As a pediatrician, I have encountered patients who have been abused in many ways. I have great personal concern for anyone so victimized, and I commend Moof for discussing the subject so openly.
Never having been a victim myself, I was at one time skeptical about how widespread child advocates say this problem is. But when I was in medical school, a very good friend admitted that he had been a victim, and then another, and I realized I had better keep my fool mouth shut. This problem obviously affects many more individuals than most of us are willing to admit.
Those of us who are victims should tell their stories, when they are ready to do so. We who have never been victims are obligated to listen to these stories and accept them. No matter how many times we have to sit and listen.