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Stopping sexual abuse is within our power if society stops perceiving and treating women and underage girls as sex objects. This age-old practice is evidence of a prevalent and pernicious problem perpetuated by a sense of entitlement on the part of the abuser who relies on intimidation and fear.

Even worse, it is exacerbated by our continued acceptance.

As we commemorate another Women’s History Month, will an honest conversation about how women are regarded and treated be a part of any program agenda?

Before the focus on the sexual exploits of Jeffrey Epstein and his cohorts in crime, many of us were alarmed by the unending revelations taking place in recent years, with women speaking out at an unprecedented rate about the sexual harassment they had experience in the workplace.

We had reasons to believe we had reached a watershed moment and stopping sexual abuse is within our power.

But the Epstein Files, the muddled facts and lack of accountability have brought the pervasiveness and acceptance of abuse of women and girls to a whole new level. The protection of the perpetrating men included.

The annals of history show how women have been considered and treated as second-class citizens in many aspects of society.

Stopping Sexual Abuse Is Within Our Power
(Roman-Didkivskyi/iStock Images

Because it is historical, it does not have to remain acceptable. Stopping sexual abuse is within our power.

It is perpetuated when certain thoughts and practices are deliberately or inadvertently passed on to boys about how to treat girls. It is bolstered because girls often are not taught in definitive terms about what treatment they should expect, and more importantly, should not allow from boys or men.

We as caring adults share the responsibility of teaching appropriate perceptions and behaviors.

It boils down to having conversations on many levels about what it means to be valued as girls and women. With ongoing conversations, stopping sexual abuse is within our power.

Such conversations are critical and central to addressing the big elephant in the room, gender inequality — the prevailing attitude that women are less than and subservient to men, and therefore, it is okay to treat them with utter disregard.

Until we acknowledge that gender inequality is at the root of it and do something about it as parents, teachers, employers, and policymakers, it will continue as scandals come and go.

Real change comes slowly. So, what will it take?

Unwavering determination. Sustained training. Time commitment.

Stopping the abuse and seeking justice must be unwavering. There must be accountability and appropriate penalties enforced across the board, wherever and whenever an act of sexual abuse and harassment occurs.

Until there is a concerted effort to train, train, and train beginning with our children at home, in schools, and then demanding that there is ongoing training in the workplace across industries, real change will continue to elude us.

While our history and entrenched culture are stubborn and formidable foes, they can be defeated by enlightenment and time.

Stopping abuse is within our power if we refuse to succumb to acceptance and resignation.

Portions of this article first appeared in The Missouri Independent

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