I’m not here to preach about reaching just one person or whatever cliché you might be thinking. No, I want to speak to all of you. It’s time to stop pretending everything is fine and accepting behavior that you know deep down is wrong just because it’s socially acceptable or someone has fancy credentials.
It’s challenging to articulate the unfathomable fears that swirl in your mind, especially as a survivor. I often wrestled with paranoia about my daughters becoming victims of sexual assault. In my mind, everyone was a potential threat, and I viewed my children as perpetually vulnerable, exposed to the predatory instincts of others.
Then the unthinkable happened—right under my nose. My daughter’s best friend’s father was the perpetrator. My gut had warned me about him a year prior, but I brushed it off. Sure, we confronted him about his inappropriate comments and actions, like discussing his dogs’ mating habits in front of our daughter and giving her unwanted pats on the back. He apologized, claiming he was just being friendly, and promised to change.
Despite my initial vigilance, I began to second-guess myself. His humble demeanor and willingness to engage in conversation made me wonder if I had misjudged him. Maybe we were overreacting. Maybe he was just an older guy out of touch with modern parenting. Gradually, we let our daughter visit their home more frequently. I’m ashamed to admit we even allowed her to spend entire days there, thinking we could trust him again.
But deep down, I always sensed something was off. I should have listened to that instinct. Instead, I let social norms and his status lull me into a false sense of security. Now, he faces felony charges for child molestation, and our lives have been turned upside down. My marriage is strained, friendships have faded, and our daughter is in therapy. I cry daily, grappling with the isolation and fear that now envelops our family.
So here’s my message: Trust your instincts! It’s a lesson I thought I had learned, but I failed to heed it when it mattered most. I used to listen to that inner voice, but when faced with someone in a position of authority, I faltered. I risked my daughter’s safety for the sake of social harmony. Absurd, right?
Make your child feel safe when talking to you. If they share something that feels off, don’t dismiss it. Children often sense things that adults overlook. I’m grateful my daughter felt comfortable enough to come to me. She listened to her instincts when I didn’t.
And speaking of instincts, if you’re curious about home insemination options, check out this blog post for more information. You can also learn from experts at Make a Mom and Genetics and IVF Institute, which are fantastic resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, trusting your gut can save you from heartache. Keep communication open with your kids and never downplay their feelings.