UNITED STATES
The Worthy Adversary
Posted by Joelle Casteix on December 17, 2013
I was in an airport last week and struck up a conversation with the woman sitting next to me. After we discussed what we each did for a living, she pursed her lips and looked at me seriously. Then, she said, “What really disgusts me is that now women are becoming sex abusers.”
She was probably referring to stories like this, and this, and this.
“It’s actually good news that you’re hearing about these cases,” I told her. She looked at me like I was nuts. That’s when I explained to her that women have been child sex offenders just as long as men have. But now … finally, their victims—girls and boys—are getting a shot at justice.
Why are these cases getting publicity and court time now? I think it’s a combination of factors:
First—Our overall societal awareness of sexual abuse has matured and our civil and criminal laws have become more victim-centered. More and more people recognize the signs of grooming. Most of us understand that it is never okay for an adult to have any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with a child, especially if the adult is in a position of power (like a teacher, pastor or coach).
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