OPINION:
As someone who was sexually harassed, I know first-hand about the inner pain that victims experience. But as someone who spent five years as a therapist working in the fields of alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health, I want to share my observations and research findings about various forms of “abuse.”
Our country needs to start having a conversation about the plight of incest victims. These people suffer more deeply and profoundly than survivors of other forms of abuse. They suffer from a higher rate of suicide, anorexia and bulimia than victims of other forms of abuse. Their self-hatred and self-blame are so severe that some of them constantly smile even when it is not appropriate to do so. Experienced counselors will tell you that they do this as a way to hide and cover up the disgust and unhappiness they feel.
Our society needs to take the next step and try to eradicate this problem from existence.
STEWART B. EPSTEIN
Rochester, N.Y.
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