Happy Halloween And Other Stuff...

Hi!


Another Halloween in the books!


My house seemed to walk the scary line pretty well. Got a few gasps and squeals from trick or treaters but didn't make anybody cry. Just the right amount of scary! Yay!


I always get such a kick out of the creativity that goes into their costumes. I had everything from a Buzz Lightyear to a stop sign. Hats off to the parents who encourage and participate!


******************************************************

On a more serious note...

There is a news story that came out of Barcelona, Spain.

Five men were acquitted of rape because their unconscious, 14-year-old victim didn't fight back.


Read that again, slowly, let it sink in.


They don't consider it rape because she was unconscious.

Their definition of rape involves violence, and somehow, in that logic, treating a 14-year-old girl like a sex toy you can buy on eBay doesn't constitute violence. I don't care that she didn't end up battered and bloody, she is a CHILD, and was UNCONSCIOUS! The violation of her body, her soul, her psyche is ABSOLUTE violence.

Violence: The unlawful exercise of physical force or intimidation by the exhibition of such force.


If raping an unconscious person isn't exercising physical force, I don't know what is.


This is in Spain, but if you look at the way society as a whole, treats survivors of rape, the way it is dismissive of the damage it does, this dismissiveness stamped over and over again on the paperwork of the under prosecuted monsters that commit these life-altering acts of cruel brutality, if you look at all of it, it's a shame all of humanity carries.


Are we where we were 50 years ago? Thankfully not. Are we where we need to be? Not even close.


How do we make a change in how society sees and treats rape? We, those who live regular lives, going to our jobs, running errands, racing through the nuts and bolts of life?


I think it starts with how we raise our men. Teaching them that women aren't prey to be hunted, that resistance isn't a ploy or a turn on. Teaching them to respect women, and not just on the surface, in front of other people, where there are witnesses. Real respect. In front of their goading friends, behind closed doors.


I think it includes calling out crap behavior. If you have a friend who has an aggressive attitude toward women, in their actions or speech, speak up. If you see someone vulnerable, in a sketchy situation, help them.


I think it continues with working to change the laws. Changing the courts' attitude toward rape. Educating judges as to the very real damage this violent violation does to every aspect of a survivor's life. It changes everything. How you make decisions, how you see yourself, how you see the world as a whole.


The wounds become scars, scars may fade, but they never completely heal.


********************************************************************

For those living with the scars...


May you thrive beyond your survival, may the nightmares and triggers fade.
May you see you are so much more than the hollowed-out version they made.

May those who hurt you collide with Karma, and enter their own version of hell.
May you go on to have a beautiful life, seizing the sweetest revenge, living well.


***************************************************************

Until next time...


www.margyreidbooks.com

Find your digital copy of Once Broken @
https://www.amazon.ca/Once-Broken-Margy-Reid-ebook/dp/B071HTFTX6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RH0BE8GYV4HI&keywords=once+broken&qid=1572635441&sprefix=once+broken%2Caps%2C438&sr=8-1