Comment by Patrick on 25 Feb 2012 at 3:50 pm

Dear Karen,

I’m finishing Switching Time, and I’d like to thank you for your courage in allowing it to be to be written. I want to know, maybe I’ll know by the end of the work, but was anyone except your father arrested for the terrible abuse you suffered? Sitting and reading, I am furious at these people and want them locked up, even if they’re 80 years old.

Dear Patrick,

Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts and compliments! I hope that in sharing my story it brings hope and healing to others.

Regarding those who were arrested for abusing me and other neighborhood children, yes, there were more than a few arrested, but sadly most were not charged due to their status in the neighborhood and the ties they had to those in public office. That’s one reason why it was difficult for me to share. Back then, adults were right and children were not. I was always told that my adult abusers would be let go, charges dropped, and in turn my abuse would be escalated once they were released. My abusers were ironically well respected in the community and I feared them. I felt unsafe and feared my abusers would kill me just as they threatened they would if I told.  I kept many secrets until I started therapy with Dr. Baer. That’s why I share my story, in hope that no child fears sharing like I did.  My abusers may have gotten away with what they did to me during my childhood, but they died without making amends and without peace. I have forgiven them and let go of that so that I could live. It’s not my job to judge.

Thank you for your questions; I empathize with how furious my abusers made you.  Thinking about it again infuriates me, too!

Karen