Me too

So on a serious note, I have seen the following post floating around on facebook for a few days:

Me too.

If all the people who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote “Me too.” as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.

Some of the posters choose to share their story while others simply post “Me too.”  In some ways I think this is a wonderful thing.  After all, it can only help to bring awareness to such a massive problem in our society.  On the other hand, it saddens me that there is such a need.

I think it is important to talk about this with young people.  Sexual predators look for people they can manipulate.  They look for people who won’t speak up.  The victims need to know that it is not their fault.  They need to know that they are the victims.  However, they can recover and live a strong, healthy life despite this victimization.

I think it is important to recognize that this type of trauma happens to males as well as females.  I think sometimes it is harder for a male to talk about these things as society typically scoffs at the offense.  Strange how we always find a way to blame the victim.  If it’s a woman, she was asking for it by wearing suggestive clothing.  If it’s a male, he really wanted it or should be thankful that he got it.  

I think it is important that we tell our youngsters they are not to blame.  It is okay to say no.  It is okay to fight back.  IT IS OKAY TO TELL SOMEONE.