Here’s an article I found from Sacramento, CA about the Governor telling state officials to “stop destroying sex offenders’ parole files and to make as much of their contents public as possible”. If you have the time, please read:

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/10/2595670/governor-tells-state-officials.html

This article inspires me, it gives me hope and I imagine will do the same for many of you. There are so many flaws in the current system and I know a lot of you have experienced this personally, the little ways that those who commit the crimes seem to get off easier than they should, or slip through the cracks when they shouldn’t. It’s extremely unfortunate, but happens quite often. The fact that they had even been shredding the files came as quite a shock to most people, it doesn’t even seem logical, who would have ever allowed that? Well the good thing is that the situation has been given attention and the shredding of sex offender files in California will no longer be an issue. I’m not quite sure what the situation is in other states, do any of you know? If not, I’d say it’s something to look into.

I know the constant reminder of the past is tough, it’s something that I’d like to think positively about and think you get used to, but I’m not really sure if I can honestly convince myself that’s possible. I recently had “ache” tattooed on my wrist. It’s something I’d been thinking about it and as someone who never ever thought I would ever get a tattoo, it was something I thought about for a long, long while. Did I really want a permanent reminder of my past and the huge problem of sexual abuse? I mean what if one day I decided I wanted to just forget it all, try to completely move on, erase the past and just live in the present and for the future. Not to mention that I decided to get it on my wrist, kind of depressing if you would just happen to see it haha but once I explain people understand. However, after talking with my sister I came to the obvious realization that this has all been a really big part of my life and all the memories and the impact that it’s had on me will always be there whether it’s in ink or not. It’s interesting, it’s actually quite empowering to have it. I’m proud of it, almost like it’s a battle scar and a sign that I survived. When I look at it, it reminds me that no matter how exhausting it gets to keep myself involved, or how hard it gets, I never want to stop talking about sexual abuse, I never want to stop trying to fight it.

I know it’s impossible to go out and stop every single sex offender or to make sure justice is served, but I can keep sharing my story and all that I’ve learned. Awareness is everything! Tell anyone anywhere and just like with this shredding situation in California, so many people didn’t realize it was even going on…the more people who know, the more people there are who can help to make a difference. So if you feel like you can, spread the word far and wide (even if it’s through sharing this website)! Each and every one of you has the power. Progress is possible

Thank you!

Courtney

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