And, in particular, those who got caught up in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking schemes. And about the fact that sexual exploitation went virtually unmentioned for decades until social media gave birth to the #MeToo movement.
In that conversation, I became aware that I had more than a passing interest in the psychology of the predator, the preyed-upon, and the power dynamics at play in sexual abuse.
The profound and lasting damage, the psychological trauma, not just to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims but – in the bigger picture – to all victims of sexual abuse.
It’s like a bruise I can’t stop stroking.
And so, I have decided to write about it.
The likes of Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, Roger Ailes, Matt Lauer and Bill Cosby get the notoriety because of their public stature. But sexual malice is more far reaching than what we read on Twitter:
“Global estimates published by WHO indicate that about 1 in 3 (35%) of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.” [i]
The big question on my mind is WHY?
Why and how does sexual exploitation happen? Why do men like Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse young girls? Why do men desire younger women? What’s behind the obsession with under aged girls?
Why would girls allow themselves to be enticed into engaging in sex acts for money? What is the allure? Why do they do it?
Why the secrecy that allowed it to continue? Why and how did they get away with it? And why are the police still so reluctant to prosecute the offenders?
How was Jeffrey Epstein able to lure men of power, privilege and prestige into his sordid sex-trafficking scheme? Why would they entangle themselves with women young enough to be their biological daughters? Why open themselves to potential extortion and severe criminal punishment, loss of prestige and financial ruin?
In this series of posts, I will attempt to decode the conscious and unconscious drives behind sexual abuse
What is the long-term impact of sexual crimes on victims? Is it true, as some of the girls, now women, have expressed that there is no cure?
Like many women I work with, I have lived through some traumatic sexual episodes—from sexual aggression on the job to sexual assault in my home. At this stage of my life, I am finally ready to share my story to help others.
As a practitioner of EFT and FasterEFT who has helped dozens of women who were victims of sexual and other abuse, I hope to dispel the belief that it is impossible to heal. And I will outline an evidence-based method for resolving abuse and setting ourselves free.
In the interests of objectivity I asked some men in my life – friends, clients and my partner—for their take on things. Many of the following posts reflect their thoughts and influence.
I will end the series with how to take back control of your life after abuse of any sort. Along the way, I will impart some lessons and share secrets every girl should know to protect herself from sexual harm.
A guest post by my good friend, John Chancellor, will speak to parents about the best way to protect your children from falling into the hands of a sexual predator.
[i] World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
