It’s the rule not the exception

I was having lunch with a dear friend, and we were solving the world’s problems. The topic of our work in forensics came up and a waitress that was nearby heard our conversation. She came to the table and disclosed her own victimization and how a group of women she texted with saved her life. She said it was nothing that they said but just that they shared her experience.

I would be willing to put money on it that every woman at some time in her life has had a creepy feeling from someone, had her personal space invaded, been touched when she did not want to, or had something inappropriate said to her. If fact I think it is so common that most women never tell anyone. What happens then, is these forms of abuse are not addressed. It is abuse!

It is no wonder when the abuse is more severe; physical violence, sexual assault, rape, incest, financial abuse and emotional abuse it is not disclosed. There is shame, guilt and minimization by the victim. All common emotions and often used against her to discredit the disclosure.

Statistically this does not happen to men. I am not going to argue the incidence. I know it occurs, but it is not a daily thought in men’s minds that someone may hurt them. They are not concerned for their safety. It just doesn’t happen.

The climate of this country makes me feel unsafe. More now than ever before. Preventing a woman from having autonomy over her own body is abuse. Having a third party enter into your relationship with your health care provider is abuse. Controlling a woman’s choice on when to have a family is abuse. It can be shrouded in whatever means they choose but it is abuse.

The American Government has become our abusive partner. We have been controlled financially, emotionally and physically. Poor conviction rates on crimes against women, shaming women for their personal choices and controlling their bodies.

No matter what your personal opinions are on abortion I encourage you to see the bigger picture. We need to protect each other from our abuser. I am confident that on an individual basis we would do this without question. Barak Obama said that “if all positions of power were held by women there would be a significant improvement across the board on just about everything, living standards and outcomes. Women are just better than men.” (2019)

If you are a one issue voter I have a suggestion. Vote for Kamala Harris because she is a woman. I think it’s about time!!!