Читать книгу Tears of the Silenced - Misty Griffin - Страница 10

Preface

Foremost, I would like to stress that not every Amish community is like the one I lived in. My community was one of the strictest sects within the stricter half of the Amish.

While the fundamentals in all Amish communities are consistent, it can be said that the level of abuse becomes greater depending upon the stringency of the particular group. Some of the most progressive Amish have taken pains to raise awareness about the issue of sexual assault and child abuse. In more modern churches, there is greater likelihood of action, usually some form of counseling for the victim and rapist. (In rare cases the authorities have been contacted.) While this may not be much, it is, at least, some form of acknowledgment for the victim.

But the reality remains: most Amish rape or child abuse victims have no resources. It is a scary reality: a place where the Amish rules outweigh any form of crime. Sexual violence and animal abuse run rampant, and the worldly outside authorities may not be called. Shunning is the only punishment, but a few weeks is such a light sentence for a rapist and, from what I have seen, it never works.

In light of these facts, there are many Amish who actually wish to enact change but are afraid to break church rules for fear they will go to hell or be shunned. Thus, the cycle continues. The good people are forced to suffer in silence or leave; those are the only two options.

In conclusion: I did not write my story to point the finger at certain individuals or only at the Amish. Rather it is an attempt to raise awareness about child abuse and sexual assault. I hope child abuse and sexual assault survivors will take heart from my story and move past their pain to embrace their dreams. I encourage everyone: Never turn a blind eye towards child abuse. Please be a hero and report; you may be that child’s last chance.