Listen. Voices of survivors.

[Aurien]

I was referring to my thoughts on the seven year old girl. I encouraged naming names for her but am not so sure any more. What are the chances of the right people believing her? What are the chances that something positive will happen? What are the chances that she will just be victimized even more? I will trust her and Trudy and whoever else is working with her.

Josh, if you have a list that holds water, share it with the appropriate people. Our overall position cannot be silence. I don't have a list. I thought last night when I couldn't sleep and came up with 8 names - names that I only know about because they have been dealt with somehow.

Hats Off were you able to read Trudy's blog post update on the 7 year old victim?

Yes, I did; that is why I am a bit unsure.

Ok. I wasn't sure if your filter would block it or not.
Hopefully finding a licensed Christian counselor will be able to help this survivor work out what is best to do. A counselor may also be able to point her to some resources that can support her if she decides to name names.

[mercysfree]

Hopefully finding a licensed Christian counselor will be able to help this survivor work out what is best to do. A counselor may also be able to point her to some resources that can support her if she decides to name names.

Any victim making a report to civil authorities and/or making names public to the church long after the assault is a huge decision that ought to be done with a counselor's assistance. It is not like reporting that your stolen car is sitting in the neighbor's yard. There are so many possible complications...Lies a victim has told to cover injuries at the time and since; family caregivers or medical personnel of the victim who may know or suspect from physical evidence and how they did react at the time and might react now, and the trouble they would be in as part of covering up; who the perpetrators are, perhaps family whom you love and powerful people in the community; knowing that many innocent people are going to have to make agonizing choices about loyalty; hoping and needing to believe that there have not been any other victims to add to your guilt for not telling sooner; your own doubts that your memory can be trusted in all details; the shame victims feel in saying those horrible details...plus it has to be faced that if you do make it known, you may be regarded as the liar/crazy/evil person on top of all the pain you have now because there is not enough evidence for proof. Then add (possibly irrational) fears of what will happen if you tell after threats that have been made.

It is easy as bystanders to feel reporting is the rightthing, but it is also likely the hardest course of action for any victim, and that is why so few report sexual assault promptly and effectively.

The best thing we can do is to pray for those who face this, also for perpetrators to repent and step forward on their own.

[Aurien]

Hopefully finding a licensed Christian counselor will be able to help this survivor work out what is best to do. A counselor may also be able to point her to some resources that can support her if she decides to name names.

Any victim making a report to civil authorities and/or making names public to the church long after the assault is a huge decision that ought to be done with a counselor's assistance. It is not like reporting that your stolen car is sitting in the neighbor's yard. There are so many possible complications...Lies a victim has told to cover injuries at the time and since; family caregivers or medical personnel of the victim who may know or suspect from physical evidence and how they did react at the time and might react now, and the trouble they would be in as part of covering up; who the perpetrators are, perhaps family whom you love and powerful people in the community; knowing that many innocent people are going to have to make agonizing choices about loyalty; hoping and needing to believe that there have not been any other victims to add to your guilt for not telling sooner; your own doubts that your memory can be trusted in all details; the shame victims feel in saying those horrible details...plus it has to be faced that if you do make it known, you may be regarded as the liar/crazy/evil person on top of all the pain you have now because there is not enough evidence for proof. Then add (possibly irrational) fears of what will happen if you tell after threats that have been made.

It is easy as bystanders to feel reporting is the rightthing, but it is also likely the hardest course of action for any victim, and that is why so few report sexual assault promptly and effectively.

The best thing we can do is to pray for those who face this, also for perpetrators to repent and step forward on their own.

Yes, you're right. There are a lot of people on FB who said that they would support the woman if she comes forward but she needs in person support as well.
I saw on Trudy's blog that she has received two donations that will pay for the woman to see a counselor for the first few sessions.