It's a scary world. Every time we turn to our social networks and media broadcasts there is a new story to be heard, and most of it isn't something we care to listen for. Children shooting children, mental-cases shooting children, children missing, children held hostage in underground bunkers, gun-control conspiracies birthed in child-related tragedies, and children being sexually abused or assaulted by those we entrust with their safety and well-being. Sure every now and again our anger is tempered with stories of heroism and self-sacrifice; but were it not for the sickness that infests humanity, we wouldn't need them.
Just recently we learned of a former Los Angeles school teacher who is being accused of sexually abusing 20 students and 1 adult. Fox News reported, Robert Pimentel, 57, had worked with students for over 35 years. That's a long time for a predator to have access to the innocent. While the story continues to develop, I'm sure many of us are left to wonder how this could possibly happen. And an even better question: What can we do to prevent this?
We can't prevent everything; This is fact. What we can do is pay attention to our children's behaviors, affect in social situations, changes in mood, and keep lines of communication open. Our children should never fear telling an adult when something bad or uncomfortable happens to them. They need to be aware of what is right and wrong, and what sexual abuse is. They need to be taught that those in authority sometimes abuse their power. Pimentel stands accused of doing just that, and he's no doubt ruined countless lives in the process.
Resources:
Los Angeles-area school teacher accused of sexually abusing up to 20 kids: FoxNews.com: Accessed January 31, 2013
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