Systematic Abuse Needs to Stop - They can and should do better

 Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen

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Former mayor, Mormon bishop accused of sex abuse of children

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This is a serious problem within the system and NEEDS to be talked about.  Not hushed, covered up or dealt with by adapting cartoon character training videos within the church to make them(the organization) appear as they are doing "something."  When asked to complete this video training I replied in an email that this does nothing to stop the the abuse.  I received no reply or conversation about how we can do better.  I am a preschool teacher and part of the application process was to complete a background check.  This should be required in any organization where adults are in contact with children/youth.  I grew up with a girl who was sexually abused by her Catholic priest. This caused her a lot of pain and affected her life tremendously.  This problem is not going away.  Cover-up should not be a part of any Christian organization that claims to be Christlike. This has affected my children as well.  At a time when we expressed our concerns over situations we were told this individual was going through some "growing pains." Nothing was done, even though we approached multiple leaders on multiple occasions. Each time we were basically shrugged off.  This problem continued to escalate involving other individuals and ultimately a police investigation was conducted - not because the church leaders made the inquiry, only because another parent decided to take matters to the authorities.  

This is not about religion.  This is about a religious institution/organization doing what is RIGHT.  In order for changes to occur people need to speak up and out about truth. Systems need to have protocols in place to protect the vulnerable not the institution. I said years ago this was only the beginning as far as stories that would come forward.  It has proven to be true, time and time again.  All you need to do is a google search and the evidence is there to be seen. I hope for change.  I hope for truth.  I hope for good people to stand up for what is right.  Children need helpers, not people who consciously hide information and therefore become part of the problem in creating more trauma for the victims involved.  We can and should do more.  Children deserve the very best, so we need to BE better and DO better where, when and however we can.