Monegan article on Sexual Abuse

A MUST READ. Walt Monegan's article on sexual abuse in the Alaska Dispatch.

This is what needs to be talked about - solutions! The stats are bad, so what can we do about it?

From the article:

Too often the abused grow up to become victims or abusers and the ugly cycle of pain continues. Ignoring the violent realities our neighbors and children are faced with daily is not an option. We have the resources, both financially and intellectually, to protect victims of physical and sexual violence and yet few policymakers have dedicated the time and thoughtfulness to a realistic solution would require...

...Every major change in history began in one place with just a few dedicated individuals who believed in something larger than themselves.

I hope the other mayoral candidates will begin addressing issues like these, the "taboo" or just incredibly difficult issues to address. I've been wading in this stuff lately, in projects I am doing, at least with Alaska Native abuse, and the more you look, the more discouraging it can be. But imagine the impact of leadership at the local, state and national level giving these issues the thought and attention they deserve, not just hoping (meager) funding will do it - money isn't going to solve these problems, strategy and hard work is.