In the shop were tools of every sort- hammers, screw drivers, saws, large metal bending machines, an assortment that would have made any construction professional proud. They were all used by a master of the trade, a older man- with a gentle voice, strong hands- roughened by years of hard work, a grandfatherly look mixed flawlessly with a John Wayne character. Anyone who ever met him would describe him as the most trustful man they'd ever met. Down to earth, a man's man who had had an amazing grasp of how to melt the hearts of women in his younger days. Even now, I can say more good things about him than I can bad- it's just the that bad will forever overshadow the image of a man that was almost perfect.
It's often that way with child molesters, they rarely hold the appearance of someone we should shun and warn our children about. To often those that pose the biggest danger to our children, are those that will trustingly let into our homes. They often possess qualities that help them hide the truth about what they are- they're friendly, out going, have charismatic personalities that seem to ease away the very thought that they could cause harm to another person- let alone to a child.
They are smart, have learned to blend in with society and by doing so they can go effortlessly deceiving those that know them best.
William French Anderson was one such person- a competent, highly regarded individual with a successful career and distinguished honor for work in his field. He was a fifth-degree black belt in tae kwon do, had served as a physician for U.S. Olympic teams in the 1980s, is a former professor of biochemistry, molecular biology and pediatrics, once the subject of glowing profiles in the press who was considered for Time’s “Man of the Year,”, was a pioneer in gene therapy research, and is a former director of the University of Southern California’s Gene Therapy Laboratories. His accomplishments won him the respect of those around him, and his personality won him the trust of his friends. Enough trust that he was able to molest their daughter for nearly four years.
The girl revealed the abuse to a counselor, and later exchanged emails with Anderson- which prosecutors said would prove their relationship had a “secret dirty side.”
We'll have to wait through the trial, deliberations, and for the jury; before we can no the outcome of this case. Because, like it so often is, it's a case of the accused crying innocence.
My point, however is to remind you that everyday, in almost every town there is a respectable, friendly, successful, smart, generous and honorable man (or woman) that turns out to not really be all those things. I caution you to remember that not all the bad guys are the scary ones who you walk to the other side of the street to avoid. Sometimes, they are the friend you invite in when they come to your door.
Talk to your children, reinforce the need for them to always trust you with what is happening in their lives, carefully monitor with whom they are permitted to be alone with, and have that difficult conversation about the "monsters" who don't look so scary.
For information on talking to children, please visit these sites:
Talking To Your Children About Sexual Abuse
How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse
Say No! Protecting Children Against Sexual Abuse
Categories: molesters, predators
Genetic pioneer on trial for sex abuse - Crime & Punishment - MSNBC.com
It's often that way with child molesters, they rarely hold the appearance of someone we should shun and warn our children about. To often those that pose the biggest danger to our children, are those that will trustingly let into our homes. They often possess qualities that help them hide the truth about what they are- they're friendly, out going, have charismatic personalities that seem to ease away the very thought that they could cause harm to another person- let alone to a child.
They are smart, have learned to blend in with society and by doing so they can go effortlessly deceiving those that know them best.
William French Anderson was one such person- a competent, highly regarded individual with a successful career and distinguished honor for work in his field. He was a fifth-degree black belt in tae kwon do, had served as a physician for U.S. Olympic teams in the 1980s, is a former professor of biochemistry, molecular biology and pediatrics, once the subject of glowing profiles in the press who was considered for Time’s “Man of the Year,”, was a pioneer in gene therapy research, and is a former director of the University of Southern California’s Gene Therapy Laboratories. His accomplishments won him the respect of those around him, and his personality won him the trust of his friends. Enough trust that he was able to molest their daughter for nearly four years.
The girl revealed the abuse to a counselor, and later exchanged emails with Anderson- which prosecutors said would prove their relationship had a “secret dirty side.”
The opening remarks by Los Angeles prosecutor Cathryn Brougham at Anderson’s trial prompted attorneys for the 69-year-old scientist to demand an immediate mistrial, claiming there was no proof the e-mails referred to sex.
In one of e-mail exchanges Brougham showed jurors, the girl confronts Anderson over the accusations of abuse and he responds: “There is a very bad part of me that, now that I have recognized it, has to be suppressed.”
We'll have to wait through the trial, deliberations, and for the jury; before we can no the outcome of this case. Because, like it so often is, it's a case of the accused crying innocence.
My point, however is to remind you that everyday, in almost every town there is a respectable, friendly, successful, smart, generous and honorable man (or woman) that turns out to not really be all those things. I caution you to remember that not all the bad guys are the scary ones who you walk to the other side of the street to avoid. Sometimes, they are the friend you invite in when they come to your door.
Talk to your children, reinforce the need for them to always trust you with what is happening in their lives, carefully monitor with whom they are permitted to be alone with, and have that difficult conversation about the "monsters" who don't look so scary.
For information on talking to children, please visit these sites:
Talking To Your Children About Sexual Abuse
How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse
Say No! Protecting Children Against Sexual Abuse
Categories: molesters, predators
Genetic pioneer on trial for sex abuse - Crime & Punishment - MSNBC.com
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