Privilege

claim it

“Each time a woman stands up for herself without knowing it, possibly without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”

Although many many of us suffer inside, it is also true that mannnnnny of us enjoy the privilege of being able to use our voice. Not every woman, child or survivor can. The circumstances of each survivor’s life can vary, but it is true that a great many are in danger for their very lives if they step off the tightrope their abuser has tethered to their life. Really bad people will do really bad things to keep their crimes from being discovered—the headlines are replete with horrors every day, all over the world.

I take moments of silence for these prisoners when the headlines cross my path. I know from my work as a prosecutor that it’s not all in their heads—when a woman, child or survivor is powerless, often it comes from being told they are by the person who abused them. Our system reinforces the abuser’s statements and the survivor truly is powerless. The odds really are too great, and the choice is quite literally between life and death, not only for them but possibly for their children. This isn’t something that happens to *someone else*— this is happening to our neighbors and friends.

If you have survived and become free, I see it as a moral imperative to use that privilege to stand up for others. You can find the story here: Landing Page to OUTCRY WITNESS