There has never been a US administration built on such a tapestry of lies and misdirection. To maintain the illusion, more and more lies must follow, but no amount of deception can outrun the truth.
If I might add one thing to your brilliant and heartfelt article, it is that a child who was sexually abused is for ever imprinted by the touch, smell and feel of her abuser. The true crime is that that child will seek out dangerous situations that mimic the crime against her/him because it will forever be linked with her understanding of sex. I’m so glad your daughter had plenty of therapy. And I’m glad she had you, a loving parent, to help her understand what happened. But I remain infuriated that the crime committed against me is still very much with me, and has colored or ruined every sexual relationship of my life. I am 70 years old and still trying to figure it all out. But I can tell you that based on his words, his expressions, his legal history, there is no doubt in my mind that Donald Trump is a pedophile.
Decades later & never gone. Back then, it was recommended to “not talk about it”, so they will forget about it. There weren’t counselors to help guide the parents. Not talking about it was a huge mistake.
There must be serious counseling for families and options for families who cannot afford the or do not have the ability to hire a counselor. We as a nation must do better for the children NOW. Shame on those who are politically raping and abusing children . Call Them Out Vote Them Out.
Stop the kidnapping of children via politicians via ice etc. Wake the fek up!
Thank you for sharing what must have been a soul wrenching story to write. My 12 year old son was molested by the manager of an arcade in a mall in Ft. Worth, Texas. Fortunately, he came to me with what happened not the first time, but the second (he first thinking it would never happen again). The additional shocker was that the manager had already been convicted twice of child molestation and compelling children to prostitution. We had a happier sequence of events than you. We immediately put my son into therapy, lucking into an amazing gentleman who was able to let my son know, contrary to what he was believing, that it wasn't his fault or the result of anything he did. So the guilt barely followed him. I say "barely" because I do believe that for a long time, there was some lingering doubt. As for the molester, with a trial on my son's 13th birthday, he was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison. It was beyond painful to hear the defense attorney try to prove my son invited it. It was disgraceful. The soup of emotions we all experienced was profound. My anger and feelings of guilt and helplessness, his confusion, self doubt, feelings of guilt himself, etc., are impossible to fully express. Had I had the opportunity to take that man's life, I truly believe I would have been able to do that...and I don't even kill bugs. But these scum are lower than bugs and it would be far easier to end him. The additional shock of knowing that a major corporation, Bally, who owned the arcade, a virtual candy store for child molesters, hired a convicted multiple offender without a background check, only added to the insult and speaks loudly to the fact that the problem is not taken seriously by those who should be safeguarding our children. I wish your daughter and her family well. Will YOU heal? About as much as I have.
That was a fantastic article and thank you for sharing your personal story- makes it all the more poignant - and I wonder if the truth will ever come out
Thank you for your courage to share, Martin. One day I will tell ”our” family story of the most intimate betrayal. Prayers and blessings to you and your daughter.
I am very sorry to hear about your daughter's and your experiences. Thank you for your encouraging article, which inspires us to get involved and do as much as possible to stop this horrific trend in our world.
Brilliantly written Martin encapsulating the complete reality of this global problem of sexual child abuse. Tragically many victims cannot afford the proper aftercare , nor are blessed with parents like you. I’m a firm believer that abuse begets abuse either to themselves or others without proper counselling and support. Thank you for baring your soul to share your own horror story for the sake of others! Clearly your daughter has outstanding support and demonstrates tremendous courage herself ! Wishing you all the best that life affords going forward! 👍👊❤️
Thank you Susan, I thought long and hard before sharing. I’m so sick of it being a political football. The victims are real people who endure unimaginable long term effects that most will never leave behind.
If we’re going to talk about it let’s not make it about celebrity gotcha moments for social media and political gain. Let’s have a real conversation on this global cancer.
Thank you, Martin for opening your soul to share your personal experience and shine needed light on this crisis matter current administration, dismissive - nay criminal - attitude. I’ve run out of words as have many to describe my anger and disgust that both Trump, those who voted for him, and especially those who continue to support this poor excuse for a man and public servant
Thank you for sharing this with us. I'm glad your daughter made it back to you and to a better life. Sexual abuse of children is the lowest of the low for sure. However, there are other forms of abuse such as using a belt for disciplining, making scary threats to children, and more. I've been there because of my father. He was one mean character. His threats to put me away were terrifying. Oddly enough, the time I did spend in a day hospital for people with mental/emotional problems was extremely productive and helpful. It was a great experience and made me happy and able to function and love. But a lot of places are not like that. My dad mellowed out too. I was fortunate. But many children are not fortunate.
Money is running very short for me these days but I will subscribe to your posts in the hope that may change. The issue of child abuse is personal for me, and though I blocked my memory for decades (I grew up with essentially total recall for events) I eventually accessed it and have slowly moved on. I want to thank you for your honesty and compassion, for putting the subject out so others will learn how to recognize and repair the damage to children’s lives from this behavior.
Martin, this is one of the best pieces you have written. Not only for the courage it shows in sharing your family’s story, but in the refusal to indulge in the feeding frenzy the media is engaged in. Thank you for pointing out that child sexual abuse is not a red crime or a blue crime. It seems to be a feature of modern life, and as you say, a global human problem. The internet only amplifies the horror. I would add that the trump regime has actually added to the problem by kidnapping parents away from vulnerable children in ICE raids.
And also there is reporting that ‘detention centres’ that hold children make them easy targets for abuse, both sexual and physical.
So the Outrage Machine that trump stokes might well focus their concerns on what is happening today, not what happened decades ago.
I am also very glad to hear that your family survived the attack on your daughter and that she is doing well. ❤️
Thank you Maya, I simply can’t join in the frenzy, it serves no useful purpose, unlike highlighting the real problem outside the Washington political village. If just a handful of people step up to help, progress will be made.
this is an excellent, sensible paper on the complexities of child abuse. It shouldn't be a political weapon and, although Trump could be a perpetrator, it is so important that he be presumed innocent under what's left of the law in the USA. If not we're stooping to his low standards
If I might add one thing to your brilliant and heartfelt article, it is that a child who was sexually abused is for ever imprinted by the touch, smell and feel of her abuser. The true crime is that that child will seek out dangerous situations that mimic the crime against her/him because it will forever be linked with her understanding of sex. I’m so glad your daughter had plenty of therapy. And I’m glad she had you, a loving parent, to help her understand what happened. But I remain infuriated that the crime committed against me is still very much with me, and has colored or ruined every sexual relationship of my life. I am 70 years old and still trying to figure it all out. But I can tell you that based on his words, his expressions, his legal history, there is no doubt in my mind that Donald Trump is a pedophile.
Decades later & never gone. Back then, it was recommended to “not talk about it”, so they will forget about it. There weren’t counselors to help guide the parents. Not talking about it was a huge mistake.
There must be serious counseling for families and options for families who cannot afford the or do not have the ability to hire a counselor. We as a nation must do better for the children NOW. Shame on those who are politically raping and abusing children . Call Them Out Vote Them Out.
Stop the kidnapping of children via politicians via ice etc. Wake the fek up!
the reverberations, whatever key they are in, continue for....I don't know when they stop
Right down to your very age, this could have been written by me.
Perhaps this is the biggest reason I have always looked more forward to my next phase of existence; the physical plain has been such a letdown.
Agree 💯 with your last sentence!
So sorry for your daughter and your family to have gone through this. Thank you for sharing your personal story.
Thank you for sharing what must have been a soul wrenching story to write. My 12 year old son was molested by the manager of an arcade in a mall in Ft. Worth, Texas. Fortunately, he came to me with what happened not the first time, but the second (he first thinking it would never happen again). The additional shocker was that the manager had already been convicted twice of child molestation and compelling children to prostitution. We had a happier sequence of events than you. We immediately put my son into therapy, lucking into an amazing gentleman who was able to let my son know, contrary to what he was believing, that it wasn't his fault or the result of anything he did. So the guilt barely followed him. I say "barely" because I do believe that for a long time, there was some lingering doubt. As for the molester, with a trial on my son's 13th birthday, he was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison. It was beyond painful to hear the defense attorney try to prove my son invited it. It was disgraceful. The soup of emotions we all experienced was profound. My anger and feelings of guilt and helplessness, his confusion, self doubt, feelings of guilt himself, etc., are impossible to fully express. Had I had the opportunity to take that man's life, I truly believe I would have been able to do that...and I don't even kill bugs. But these scum are lower than bugs and it would be far easier to end him. The additional shock of knowing that a major corporation, Bally, who owned the arcade, a virtual candy store for child molesters, hired a convicted multiple offender without a background check, only added to the insult and speaks loudly to the fact that the problem is not taken seriously by those who should be safeguarding our children. I wish your daughter and her family well. Will YOU heal? About as much as I have.
That was a fantastic article and thank you for sharing your personal story- makes it all the more poignant - and I wonder if the truth will ever come out
What a horrendous time your family has had to go through. So great to know that you have triumphed over this
I am so sorry your daughter and your family went through this horrific experience.
Thank you for your courage to share, Martin. One day I will tell ”our” family story of the most intimate betrayal. Prayers and blessings to you and your daughter.
I am very sorry to hear about your daughter's and your experiences. Thank you for your encouraging article, which inspires us to get involved and do as much as possible to stop this horrific trend in our world.
Brilliantly written Martin encapsulating the complete reality of this global problem of sexual child abuse. Tragically many victims cannot afford the proper aftercare , nor are blessed with parents like you. I’m a firm believer that abuse begets abuse either to themselves or others without proper counselling and support. Thank you for baring your soul to share your own horror story for the sake of others! Clearly your daughter has outstanding support and demonstrates tremendous courage herself ! Wishing you all the best that life affords going forward! 👍👊❤️
Thank you Susan, I thought long and hard before sharing. I’m so sick of it being a political football. The victims are real people who endure unimaginable long term effects that most will never leave behind.
If we’re going to talk about it let’s not make it about celebrity gotcha moments for social media and political gain. Let’s have a real conversation on this global cancer.
Thank you, Martin for opening your soul to share your personal experience and shine needed light on this crisis matter current administration, dismissive - nay criminal - attitude. I’ve run out of words as have many to describe my anger and disgust that both Trump, those who voted for him, and especially those who continue to support this poor excuse for a man and public servant
.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I'm glad your daughter made it back to you and to a better life. Sexual abuse of children is the lowest of the low for sure. However, there are other forms of abuse such as using a belt for disciplining, making scary threats to children, and more. I've been there because of my father. He was one mean character. His threats to put me away were terrifying. Oddly enough, the time I did spend in a day hospital for people with mental/emotional problems was extremely productive and helpful. It was a great experience and made me happy and able to function and love. But a lot of places are not like that. My dad mellowed out too. I was fortunate. But many children are not fortunate.
Thank you for bearing you pain so that others can better understand.
Money is running very short for me these days but I will subscribe to your posts in the hope that may change. The issue of child abuse is personal for me, and though I blocked my memory for decades (I grew up with essentially total recall for events) I eventually accessed it and have slowly moved on. I want to thank you for your honesty and compassion, for putting the subject out so others will learn how to recognize and repair the damage to children’s lives from this behavior.
Virma, thank you for your valuable contribution to this important conversation. I hear you as I’m sure do others in this community.
Martin, this is one of the best pieces you have written. Not only for the courage it shows in sharing your family’s story, but in the refusal to indulge in the feeding frenzy the media is engaged in. Thank you for pointing out that child sexual abuse is not a red crime or a blue crime. It seems to be a feature of modern life, and as you say, a global human problem. The internet only amplifies the horror. I would add that the trump regime has actually added to the problem by kidnapping parents away from vulnerable children in ICE raids.
And also there is reporting that ‘detention centres’ that hold children make them easy targets for abuse, both sexual and physical.
So the Outrage Machine that trump stokes might well focus their concerns on what is happening today, not what happened decades ago.
I am also very glad to hear that your family survived the attack on your daughter and that she is doing well. ❤️
Thank you Maya, I simply can’t join in the frenzy, it serves no useful purpose, unlike highlighting the real problem outside the Washington political village. If just a handful of people step up to help, progress will be made.
Thank you. Don’t ever give up. Your honesty, integrity and dedication are needed.
this is an excellent, sensible paper on the complexities of child abuse. It shouldn't be a political weapon and, although Trump could be a perpetrator, it is so important that he be presumed innocent under what's left of the law in the USA. If not we're stooping to his low standards