VT- Put focus on sex-offense prevention

7-17-2008 Vermont:

The tragic case of Brooke Bennett brings into focus again the harsh reality that despite our best efforts, bad things still happen to our children. This situation is heart-wrenching and scary; many similar tragedies that don't end in murder go unnoticed and unreported every day. Thanks to the tireless, collaborative work of law enforcement and allied professionals, there has been a swift response to this situation.

Meanwhile, Brooke's family and neighbors in Randolph and communities across the state of Vermont are angered, saddened and once again searching for answers to prevent this kind of situation from happening again. Hindsight kicks in; we wonder what didn't work, who didn't do what, and who we can blame. We call for definitive punishments for the offenders, as if identifying and isolating violent and destructive behavior as "other" will make it all go away and reduce the chances that it will happen again. An alternative response starts with having the courage to transform our thinking. We need to widen and deepen a statewide commitment to comprehensive, coordinated prevention regarding attitudes and behavior that lead to sexual violence.

What happened in Randolph is more ordinary than we imagine or believe is possible: A family member and registered sex offender lives in the midst of family and community. Offenders do return home after serving time, or, more often than not, aren't identified and offend for years. Yet huge gaps exist in educating and supporting adults in families and communities to take responsibility for identifying, monitoring and calling out offending behavior.

Teaching children to assert firm boundaries and make safe, healthy choices is one aspect of adults' responsibility, but it isn't enough. It places too much onus on the least experienced and the least powerful. Adults must be willing to understand the language, popular culture messages, and destructive patterns that cumulatively produce and reproduce this kind of tragedy. Parents or not, we share accountability for parenting, for making the world in which all young people live and grow a safer, more peaceful place. We all -- adults and youth together -- have a part to play in changing the culture of violence, interrupting and stopping the sources of its persistence.

What would happen if we each spoke up when we encountered language and behavior that supports gendered violence? We all are subjected to such talk and images every day at work, in social gatherings, at sporting events and watching television. Subtle or shockingly explicit, these words and images are so commonplace they become invisible and embedded in our everyday lives. We all have the opportunity to stand up for something better.

Imagine how Brooke's and her family's life might have been different if she had grown up in a violence-free state where women and girls, youths and elders were valued and safe. At the very least, what if there were:

A statewide community education toolkit for understanding offending behavior and teaching adults to see and respond to warning signs, from casual, inappropriate remarks to coercive grooming?

State standards and resources for school-based, age-appropriate, culturally competent education in sexually ethical relationships and sexual violence prevention?

A multidisciplinary community containment protocol (in some cases lifelong) for supporting and holding accountable offenders returning to society, including?

A family safety plan with ongoing supports in the community for living with offenders?

Vermont has caring, committed and dedicated people working to end all forms of sexual violence. Let's support their work.

To find out about The Vermont Approach: A Strategic Plan for Comprehensive, Collaborative Sexual Violence Prevention in Vermont, 2006-2010, go to the Web page for the Anti-Violence Partnership. ..News Source.. by Anne Liske