No, You Don't Know Him.

 

Every time I think I’ve been able to put it behind me, it rears it ugly head and bites me again. Yesterday an arrest warrant was taken out for my small town sheriff for sexual battery on a prominent Atlanta judge.  And with that news the people came out of the woodwork who don’t believe he did it because, “I’ve known him my whole life."

            I thought I knew male members of my own family too, but two of them sexually molested two minor family members, and half of my family won’t even admit that it happened, even though one of predators (and yes, he groomed an underage girl for years so he’s a predator) tearfully begged me to forgive him and, “Please, don’t tell my wife.”  He had no concern for his victim, just himself.  The half of my family that thinks that my not wanting to be around this predatory family member is just because of politics can kiss my pale behind. Every time I read about a man doing something like my sheriff  is accused of doing, I get angry. I know how many women and girls aren’t believed and I know what they have to live with. Every time I hear women denying that sexual assault happened to other women, it cuts me to my heart. If women can’t even support their fellow sisters, what is to happen to us?

            Let justice play out, but if my sheriff is guilty, hold him accountable. And don’t make excuses for him because “I know him so well.” No, you don’t. That's not a defense.