What Happens After #MeToo

When I was pregnant, I often wondered what my children would look like. I wondered who they would turn out to be. I am reminded of the song: Que sera sera whatever will be will be. The future is not ours to see. I remember my mother singing this song often to me as a child. What ambitions do you have for your children? What dreams? Ambitions for health, safety, prosperity and a good life. Make your dreams for safety and health come true for your children. We live in a distressing time. Headlines remind us constantly of things we don't want to see: victims who were exploited and abused by more powerful or manipulative people, offenders who have gotten away with their abuses for far too many years, and a culture that has turned a blind eye to some of its most vulnerable members. These are signs of serious social and psychological problems, and we wish we didn't have to deal with them.But seeing these things is better than not seeing them, and dealing with them is better than leaving them alone. We have to know what the problems are in order to fix them, and as painful as they can be, knowing them is the first step toward a solution.This book is an important part of the solution. It not only identifies the problem of abuse; it also equips parents and others who work with children and youth to guard against abuse, recognize its signs, and prepare young people to live in a threatening world. It acknowledges the importance of the #MeToo movement while helping parents and children reduce the number of voices that will ever have to say "me too." It brings things that were secret into the light.If you have children, work with them, or know victims of abuse of any age, read this book. Arm yourself with the knowledge to prepare hearts, expose lies, and heal wounds. Yes, these times are distressing, but there are solutions. This is one of them. It educates us about things we don't want to see so that maybe we can see them a lot less often.