Wow! It’s been…a minute…since my last post. I’ve definitely still had thoughts, but I’ve been letting them percolate for a while. I’m going to be doing a two-part blog in a day or two, and I’m hoping to build a section on resources for stalking soon, but I got a comment earlier today that brought up a continuing aspect of this blog for me – the ways in which those in power enable abuse by supporting the abusers rather than the survivors of abuse.
The comment, which I appreciated receiving, was about Dr. Jeanette Harder. I’ve written – more than once – about her and how her actions have enabled abuse. I’ve also written about Mennonite Church USA and how they failed to hold her accountable. It’s been 2 1/2 years since I contacted them, and I have heard nothing back. When those in power remain silent about abuse and those who commit and enable it, they become part of that abuse. Their silence means they are complicit in all that happens because of their failure to speak out and hold others accountable.
It may have been awhile since my last post about her, but I’m not done speaking out against Jeanette Harder. As she is turning her attention to Amish families fostering and adopting children, adults who were adopted and fostered by Amish families as children are also speaking out against her, joining the voices of Amish survivors speaking out. (And many of them are also survivors of child abuse at the hands of their Amish guardians.) Their voices will not be silenced. Those in power may not want to hear their voices, but they will continue to speak out.
I continue to hope that someone holds Jeanette Harder accountable, that those who abuse and enable abuse are held accountable. Hope requires that I take action, though, and so I will continue to speak out and support those who are doing the same. Silence in the face of violence and oppression is being complicit in that violence and oppression, and that is something I cannot be.
Tara's Thoughts 
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