No Pity No Shame No Silence

[darth_stitch]

I found No Pity No Shame No Silence over at wikdsushi.

There is not a day that goes by without my seeing on the news and reading the headlines, someone - whether child, adolescent or adult - who has had to suffer through sexual violence and abuse. And it's not just usually some random stranger. Usually, it's a parent or a relative or someone in a position of trust.

The survivors are alive and have voices to stand up and speak for themselves. For them, all I have to say, as inadequate as it is - I offer all of you my admiration, my compassion (never pity) and my support.

As for me, I'm going to put this up for those who did not survive, for those voices who have been forever silenced. I will not forget.

In memoriam

Aileen Sarmienta
Carmela Vizconde
Marijoy Chiong
Jacqueline Chiong
Candice Castro

I know there are others. I did not know these young women personally but no decent human being could not remain unaffected. Aileen Sarmenta was raped and murdered along with her boyfriend. Carmela Vizconde was raped and murdered in her own home; her mother and nine-year-old sister with her. Marijoy and Jacqueline were sisters, kidnapped, raped and murdered. Candice Castro was a 23 year old bank employee who was brutally raped and murdered in her own condominium unit.

Please, add other names if you like. Let's take the time to remember them.

No Pity No Shame No Silence