A message came into the GAoG ‘Contact Us’ that may reflect the feelings and experience of many of our readers, so we share it here ~
Hello All,
Am I strange in feeling an overwhelming sense of excitement? So much so that I could dance in the garden and shout and sing and laugh at the top of my voice? I’ve waited so long for this, particularly the truths around horrific instances of ritualised abuse.
As a former social worker assigned to Child Protection with young traumatised children and women survivors, I knew these things were happening, perpetrated often by groups of elite, untouchable people.
I was deeply suspicious of the actions of certain members of our royal family and politicians. The stories and events shared and re-enacted by these victims always said the same things, gave the same details…how could I not believe they were telling the truth? And now they will have their day. What’s not to celebrate?
I realise that in a peculiar way I’m very lucky. None of this is new to me, and I’ve had years to become familiar with this sort of information. The initial horror, shock nausea…you name it, has passed. However, I’ve never forgotten how that felt. Such a reaction is only right and proper in a civilised society.
What we must try to guard against, though, is a complete denial that these things have occurred.
In a recent meditation evening I was leading, one member, a volunteer for Rape Crisis, was in considerable distress following a day of working with a victim of satanic abuse. The reaction of the other group members was one of total disbelief, and I really mean ‘disbelief’. They refused to acknowledge that this could possibly be true in modern Britain, and questioned the appropriateness of its discussion within a group that was there to ‘make them feel relaxed and nice.’
Such action not only silences the victim once more, but also the people trying to help them. As I’ve said, I completely remember my first reactions, but we can’t afford to turn away. We don’t need the sensationalism of the gory details, just an acknowledgment that it is possible, and to spend quiet time sending all the love and healing we can to the survivors of such atrocities and, equally, all the love and forgiveness we can to the perpetrators.
Having worked with perpetrators as well as victims, I’ve seen the circumstances that have often arisen to create these ‘monsters.’ I can only say in all humility that, if I had walked in their shoes, who’s to say what actions I might have taken?
Finally, after years of keeping quiet about our experiences and views, this discussion is on the table, albeit reluctantly. I realise it will be stop and start, that people will fight tooth and nail to keep it nailed down. But the genie is finally out of the bottle, and this is great cause for thankfulness and celebration.
I finally feel as if my time has truly come. I have a voice and I have something to say, and people may actually listen to me now.
This makes my heart swell to overflowing with love and gratitude!
Keep up the good work, you are all valued more than you can possibly know.
Big love to you all,
Penny