did nothing

Try to envision a situation where you could not fathom you, or anyone for that matter, not doing SOMETHING to help someone.

A situation that seems non-debatable on what to do.

ok.

So read this.

(from FoxSports online – Greg Couch columnist)

Here’s what the report said:

“As the graduate assistant put the sneakers in his locker, he looked into the shower. He saw a naked boy, Victim 2, whose age he estimated to be ten years old, with his hands up against the wall, being subjected to anal intercourse by a naked Sandusky.’’

The assistant fled in fear and confusion. Much the same way a janitor fled after allegedly witnessing Sandusky engaged in a sexual act in the showers with a “young boy” — Victim 8, later described in the report as being “between the ages of 11 and 13.”

They fled? They didn’t help the boys? They didn’t call the police?

—–

He closes this section of his column with exactly what I felt when I first read about all this:

“To read this report is to be sickened, but also to wonder why no one did anything to help.”

Let me repeat.

They did nothing to help the boys.

Nothing.

Oh.

They told their boss.

Who did nothing.

So.

I went to a website about child abuse and they said this:

“Unfortunately, many bystanders witness child abuse and do nothing about it. Neighbors and friends may hear or even see child abuse happening, but don’t want to intrude or interfere with “the rights” of the parents. Such inaction can mean years of pain and heartbreak for young children who are unable to get out of a bad situation.

Abused children need your intervention. In their helplessness, they must rely on capable adults who are willing to take a stand and get them out of an abusive environment.”

Ok.

WTF.

Many bystanders witness … and do nothing.

(WTF again).

Please.

Someone explain.

Under what scenario would someone, a guy in particular (one of us as it may be), would ever walk away … excuse me … “flee”?

Under what scenario would you witness child abuse and DO NOTHING?

Please.

Someone.

Anyone.

This is crazy to me.

We are adults and we are supposed to be able to make adult-like decisions … and do so understanding the ramifications. This is called “responsibility.” Sorry folks … but we have to assume some responsibility at some point. And they are children. We have a responsibility to them.

There are some really sick fucks out there in this world but most of us, the majority, are not.

And we need to make sure children, above all, are protected from the sick fucks.

This means:

1. Do not “flee” upon experiencing the situation
2. Do not “do nothing”
3. DO something (preferably something along the lines of hurting the sick fuck)

Ok.

This story is more than crazy to me.  And, I admit, I don’t know all the facts.  But what I do know is wrong.  And, same as Greg Couch, it sickens me.

But more than anything else?

I am racking my brain for a scenario where I wouldn’t do anything than pick my jaw up off the ground and then take the sonuvabitch’s jaw for a roundtrip around the world with the biggest Joe Frazier punch I could muster. I may even lower myself to kicking the mother#%%er when he was on the ground before I got the kid out of there (and, if I was lucid enough, I would try to tell the kid it wasn’t his fault).

But.

That’s me.

If you have any hesitation on putting some abuse on the abuser than still do something …

If you’re concerned that a child may be abused, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Here’s what you can do:

• Call the National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-Child). During your anonymous call, their counselors can help you evaluate the situation and help you make a child abuse report to the proper authorities. If you are nervous about making a report, they will even stay on the line during a 3-way call to offer you support.
• Call your state’s Department of Child Protective Services directly. They will take the information you provide and do a thorough investigation into the situation. If they find that child abuse is occurring, they will remove the child from the situation.
• If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

As noted earlier I am not sure what could make anyone hesitate but lets be clear.

We should not have to remind people, adults in particular, to take a stand against child abuse. There is no grey area on this issue.

Abuse is abuse.

No ifs, ands or buts.

Jesus.

This had to be one of the most disturbing things I can remember ever seeing.

Never, and I mean unequivocally, never “do nothing.”

One simple act on your art can help prevent child abuse.

One simple act can give an abused child some hope for a better future.

And, as I have stated time and time again … that is the business we adults are in … the hope business.

Disturbing.

This story is just plain disturbing on too many levels to count.