I’m a writer, not a talker. Except that one time I talked on The More Jody Podcast…
Jody, who created The More Jody Podcast, is a kind, gracious, tenacious, driven, compassionate woman. I met her years ago through health and fitness and immediately felt this connection to her.
A couple of months ago, she asked me to help her formulate some questions as she was interviewing women who had been assaulted. She wanted to ensure her questions were not intrusive and were delivered with care and safe exploration.
It gave me so much to think about for my own healing (which sparked the last couple of posts here). After much thought and prayer, I sent her some questions she could ask. About a week or two later, she asked if I would talk on her podcast.
I realized if I was going to do this, I would have to answer my own questions. ha! My initial reaction was pure fear to speak out loud. I can write, but when I try to share vocally, my words get stuck in my throat. I gave it a lot of thought…I felt in my heart-of-hearts if my voice could reach even one woman to also find her voice, it’s worth it.
So here it is…
Reclaiming LIFE 
Your story really makes me angry😡. I’m sorry for all the young people who have had to experience abuse at the hands of unpunished perpetrators that you experienced.
1. The young men knew exactly what they were doing. If found guilty by the local adjudication system, they should have done some time in Prison—and in the States, they would be put on a Sex-Offender’s list(maybe too harsh-but, then look at the costs their actions had on you). The Camp Director also had a Legal responsibility to handle minors in rape cases, following local/provincial Laws. Here in the States, a Rape Kit, today, is supposed to be administered in less than 48-72 hours if the woman is accessible to the authorities in that time.
2. Either way, a Police Report needed to be filed. The Camp’s director had a Legal responsibility to get the potential Victim to the local authorities to collect DNA in a reasonable amount of time.
3. In your case, you had no adults at the Camp to advocate justice for you. So, in such cases, where family adults were not present, the authorities were charged by State and Local Laws to advocate on your behalf in the moments after you returned back to the Camp.
4. Finally, of course as you know(you have lived it), Justice was not served in your case. Look at the years of anguish, self-identity distortions affects on your relationships with others, that you had to go through as a young woman, at the hands of these men’s abuse.
For you, your Kids, and your friends:
Click to access WLP_SexCrimeCaseReviewGuidebook_FINAL_7-7-22_2PRINT.pdf
Peace Christine! ☹️
Oh wow Lowell, I wish I had your knowledge, wisdom and guidance when I didn’t know better. The gift of your comment has been in validation. Thank you for that! I really appreciate it.