The topic today is a tough one, because no one wants to talk about sex abuse. But I’m going to. For those who have suffered abuse, not talking about it doesn’t make it go away, but sometimes giving the victim a chance to talk about it, can bring the incident to closure.
I have spent the last 12 years investigating these particular cases and I get great satisfaction from helping people who have suffered silently to open the flood gates, share the facts and take a case to closure. Because they know I really want to help and I want to hear their story, they want to share it. My background in psychology helps me in my cases but a sympathetic and sincere interest in my client’s story is what matters most. Many times it is the first time they have confided in another person, and I feel honored that the people I work with trust me.
Effects on the clients/survivors are horrific. People ask how I can listen to these stories. I always say I cannot imagine doing anything else. Interviewing the pedophiles themselves requires a different approach, which I will address in a later blog.
Sex Abuse is happening to someone, somewhere RIGHT THIS MINUTE, this horrible crime is not going to stop any time soon. In most instances it is someone whom the child trusts. These are not stranger-to-stranger crimes. The perpetrator is often a trusted family member or friend. At the point the child's trust is gained, his or her trust is then violated in the most horrible way. From that point forward, the victim becomes emotionally stunted. That is why men and women do not recognize the effect the abuse had on them until many years later. The perpetrator has silenced his victims with shame enabling them ti get away with abusing others for many more years.
As the investigator, I am the frontline person for the client/survivor. I help get the timeline of their life, I contact teachers, friends, family, pastors, doctors - anyone who may have known the client and who may have known the perpetrator. While the attorney focuses on the presentation of the case I focus on gathering enough credible facts to win the case. So I am going to keep on fighting the good fight and working for people who feel like they do not have a voice-clearly I have a voice. So I will gladly use it on their behalf."