My family's failure to openly take responsibility for the emotional pain that the separation of me and the Girl causes us both makes them bullies and sadists.

The implicit separation of girls and young men is cruel and abusive.

It can remain a social taboo, but an active effort must be made to recognize mutual relationships that are truly consensual and allow them to continue. They are free to investigate as they see fit but should refrain from taking any legal action so much as the relationship is not deemed to be abusive. That is common sense.

It is time for us as a community to unite in rooting out REAL child abuse (which is statistically more likely to have been an opportunistic offense - i.e., not someone who has some true romantic access to the child).

We can do this simply by being with families and listening - truly listening - to what's going on, and telling the child that if a family member much older than them hurts them emotionally or physically or touches them (even kisses and hugs) without consent, they should tell US. We are the ones they can trust. We mustn't forget that.

And if we detect a situation that is bad enough, then we should be willing to take it to court.

Consensual sexuality is a family concern and should not appear in the courtroom.

~ rainbowloom