Comment by Professor Ted on 17 Oct 2009 at 12:09 pm

Hello Karen,

I’m curious and would like to ask you a strange question. If you don’t mind, what thoughts come to you when you hear stories like Jaycee, Steven and other children who were abducted and kept prisoner for many years before found?

Thank you. I’m curious as to whether you have the desire to help those kids. I am sure you can empathize with their experience. Do you understand my question?

Professor Ted in Florida

Dear Professor Ted,

Sadness, most of all, but hopeful that all missing children may be found. I believe, Jaycee, Steven, Elizabeth, and other children taken so young may have developed the ability to dissociate like I did to in order to survive. It’s horrific to be taken and abused, and living with those who claim to love you but hurt you. Each of these cases is incomparably horrific.

There is no excuse for abusing any child. It sickens me to hear stories like these, especially since there have been great strides to bring awareness through the media, school education, and from the stories of abused children themselves who suffered and survived. Knowledge is the key. I believe we all need to pay more attention to all the children around us. Be aware. Be safe. Communicate freely and don’t be afraid to report when facts don’t add up.

In my opinion, I believe missing children learn to adapt to their abusers in order to save themselves and survive their present trauma. These children may have believed their abductors were truthful and they may even grow to love their abusers, perhaps blaming themselves for their abuse. I know I blamed myself.

Being continuously threatened, degraded, and told that no one would ever love me but an abuser, left me paralyzed with fear. I was conditioned to believe my abuse was my own fault. I never ran away. I never dreamed of being saved. I just lived my life day to day hoping that someday someone would listen. I suspect Jaycee, Steven and Elizabeth would understand exactly what I have shared. We all need to give them adequate space to heal. I’m sure in time they will share their stories.

I would love to help children who have been abused. That’s why I share my story. I believe knowledge is power. And we all need to bring awareness to child abduction and abuse.

Thank you for caring.

Karen