Maryam Lemu – SEXUAL ABUSE
AI: Summary ©
AI: Transcript ©
I want to talk about sexual abuse. This is sadly a taboo subject in
many cultures, where victims are left to feel bitter, broken, in
denial, ashamed and left to carry scars and wounds and suffer in
silence. They're made to feel guilty and even blamed. The sad
thing is that the perpetrators of this offense are often people we
know. It could be teachers or lecturers, guests in our homes,
our parents friends, could be our friends, strangers, healthcare
practitioners, neighbors, it could happen in school, it could be
relatives or guardians house help even siblings, and sadly and
tragically, even parents. Those who try to speak up are told to
keep silent in order not to bring shame to the family, or they are
simply told to forgive. And if you're not careful, they are
actually blamed for what happened to them. If you happen to be a
victim of sexual abuse, or * or *, the first step to
lightening your load is to acknowledge that it actually
happened. Some people are able to shut it in their minds and
actually act like it never even happened. They block it
completely.