By Fr. Shay Cullen
The massacre of 20 elementary school children and six teachers at the
Sandy Hook school in Connecticut on 14 December 2012 continues to
mystify psychologists and social workers ,they and most people cannot
explain what drove the killer to such wanton violence. He killed his
mother some hours earlier that day and as police closed in on him he
shot himself dead inside the school. His father said recently in an
interview he wished his son had never been born.
What is it that brings out such horrific violence against innocent
children perhaps anger at the injustice of being rejected unwanted
and unloved. Was 20 year old Adam Lanza sexually abused as a child
by unknown pedophiles.? Who can say? But one thing is certain
rejected and abused children that suffer injustice can easily have a
grudge and an abiding anger that can burst out in acts of violence as
they grow to adulthood. The pain lingers and festers through
childhood and can turn to hate and acts of revenge against perceived
tormentors.
The lingering pain is the the reality for the Filipino children that
seek shelter ,peace and therapy at Preda center in Olongapo city.
They want to be healed from the hurt and pain of being abused and
raped. The effects of the traumatic experience of rape and abuse
they carry with them is deep anger and resentment at the grave
injustice done to them. They being young,(some 3 to 16 years old )
they are weak ,powerless and needing protection from their abuser
who in most cases is their own father,brother relatives,or the
live-in partner of their mother ,a paedophile .The child victims are
distressed,depressed and even suicidal.
Some are abused in child care centers like that recent expose and
arrest of an American donor and his three mangers of the Sankey
Samaritan orphanage home in Lucena city. Which was a fake orphanage
as discovered by the DSWD and the testimonies of the victims to the
NBI revealed that it was a house of sexual abuse. What is more
shocking is the fact that the the accused foreigner accused went
free and the alleged rapists got bail and can intimidate the victims.
Victims of sexual abuse so betrayed by rapists and the justice system
can carry a deep sense of distrust and buried anger and even hatred
of adults. It is a challenging task for the Preda therapists and
social workers to befriend and reassure them that they can trust a
human being again. They have suffered the worst betrayal possible to
a human person. They bury the memory of that terrible crime committed
against them in their hearts and souls ,in their body and their minds.
They live in fear of the adult world. Some victims and survivors
carry the pain and fear all their lives. Their abuser has threatened
them and the members of their family. They cannot speak ,silence is
the only world they know. This fear and sense of abandonment by the
adults who should be there to protect and help them have told them
that they are worthless human beings and even blames them for
seducing their abuser.
They are told that they had it coming. Their destruction as a person
is complete , none ,but a few, can ever live a normal life again and
we should not be surprised that some might grow into disoriented
adults.
What is even worse is that few people believes or listens to them and
the plight. There is no justice for them. This is the worst pain they
can suffer. This can drive some victims to acts of violent revenge.
Others are so damaged that a loving relationship and marriage is
almost impossible. Violence and abuse and a broken family can be the
likely outcome for many. When they seek justice their complaint is
frequently left for months even years without action by the
prosecutor. Then it is dismissed and the sex abusers or traffickers
go free with impunity.
In 2010 two Australians , Peter Nemes and Frances George Wood were
charged before the Regional Trail court ,Branch 26 in Laguna court
with the rape of a 7 year old child,the evidence was strong and no
bail should have been allowed yet the prosecutors recommended it and
the judge complied. It was deemed legal but was it morally right? Of
course the accused disappeared back to Australia and arrest warrants
were issued but never served despite the appeals and requests of the
parents, For the damaged and abused child justice was defeated
,denied and the child betrayed.
There are most likely thousands of betrayals of justice for children
and women in recent decades . Judgements that favor the child rapists
and denies justice to the rape victims blackens the name of
Philippine justice. The injustice has to be opposed protested,
spoken and written and broadcast about. The cries of the victims and
the truth of their betrayal must be spread around the social media
and the public must demand the prosecutors and judges be brought to
justice themselves. Only when we break down the wall fear and
silence will the truth be revealed. Don’t be afraid ,speak out.
shaycullen@preda.org, www.preda.org
