Sexual molestation

I hate talking about sexual molestation. Even more so than death, if only because death is our lot in life.

http://www.rjkoehler.com/2010/07/07/english-teacher-in-daegu-under-suspicion-for-sexual-misconduct-on-students/

Ever since this case unfolded a few weeks ago, I've been thinking about some of the darker issues in life: why did this happen, what's the purpose, will there be justice, if there is no justice then what does that mean, etc...

I've been working with kids ever since I was 14. I started out in a K+1 Sunday school class, and then the YMCA, various church youth groups, summer camps for smart kids, and teaching. I even babysat for $2 an hour at some point.

But, I think it was at the Y that the issues of sexual abuse and molestation were first thrown into my field of view. Every training meeting involved talking about preventive actions. I was taught to never be alone with a child, never let a child sit on my lap, and keep physical contact to a minimum. "Do not initiate hugs or anything like that. You can give a brief hug back if a child initiates a hug, but keep it short and unaffectionate." These concepts were burned into my brain.

In every place I've worked, I've heard of horrible stories about different workers sexually abusing children. At the YMCA there was a guy who was pretty nice, but he used to drive home one of the 5th grade girls, and something eventually came of it, and then he was never heard from again. I didn't want to know the details, so I never asked. In the church setting, especially in the youth group, I heard even worse things. At the summer camp, I heard of multiple child-on-child sexual abuse problems.

When I was substitute teaching in Texas, I'd gone to one of the high schools so much that I was pretty well known. A lot of students talked to me about anything and everything. I can vividly remember one day when a group of girls confided in me that they really feared one of their teachers, and that he'd attempted to contact one of them through myspace or facebook.

I guess I can keep talking and tell you all the ugly stories I've heard of, but really, what's the point?

The article is not so much the focus as the comments beneath it. Loads of people arguing about what to do, who deserves to be shot, blah blah blah blah.

Really, the question is, what can I do?

After thinking about it for a while, I've come to this conclusion: not much, other than to take care of the students that I'm given. It sounds simple, and perhaps a bit apathetic. But, honestly, it is not my duty at this point to save the starving children in [insert African country name here], or hunt down all the sexual predators in the world. My job, right here, right now, is to encourage my students, be an example for them, try to instill some confidence in them, and let them know that I care about them in a very platonic manner.

What can I do? I certainly can't save the world. But, I can try to bring a little sunshine to my piece of it.