Raise awareness

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At a time when the issue of sexual abuse shouts from front pages around the world, groups in Vermont are taking steps to raise awareness close to home.

Much attention has gone to the scandal of pedophile Catholic priests and the halting efforts of the Vatican to address the problem of child sexual abuse. In America, sexual abuse provokes periodic political storms about the degree of toughness with which abusers are being handled.

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It is important also to remember the humanity of the victims. Toward that end the Safer Society Press, based in Brandon, has published a literary anthology to be unveiled today at a release party at the University of Vermont. It is called "The Journey of Healing: Wisdom From Survivors of Sexual Abuse."

The Safer Society Press is part of the Safer Society Foundation, an organization dedicated to the treatment of and healing from sexual abuse. The new book contains 56 entries, including stories, essays and poems, culled from about 650 submissions from men and women of a range of ages and cultures from around the world.

The editor of the book, Marjorie Ryerson, says the stories teach us about "resiliency, human forgiveness and wisdom." "It has been an honor to do this book," she says.

Sexual abuse leaves a lasting imprint. It isolates and humiliates people and sets them on "a long and challenging journey," Ryerson says. The anthology has allowed survivors from around the world to stand together.

It so happens that April has been declared Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, and a group in Rutland is also trying to call attention to the issue. The Child First Advocacy Center of Rutland has made today "Blue Day" and is urging everyone to wear blue to signal awareness of the problem.

The pathology of abuse and the inadequacy of society's response is something to be aware of. It is important also to be aware of the courage, the struggle, the fragility and the wisdom of survivors. Awareness leads to compassion, and today's events ought to help foster both.

http://www.timesargus.com/article/201...01/4210308