Good Work Dad and Daughter!

Alfredo Granados Canchola

There are two things that stand out to me in this story, which can be read in full here.

1) The 10 year old that was approached by this guy ran and told her dad who had time to run out to the alley and catch most of the license plate on his car. Brave little girl, fast acting daddy. They stopped this predator from abducting more girls.

2) The 13 year old girl got in the car with him and jumped from the moving vehicle to escape. The 16 year old girl got in the car with him and was not so lucky, she was assaulted but was rescued by a male friend at some point during the attack.

My questions:

Don't all parents teach their children NEVER to go anywhere or accept a ride with a stranger?
Assuming the answer to that is "yes', then why do so many kids/teens still do it?

When I was as young as 14 I hitchhiked alone frequently. It was stupid but back in the 70's it was not that uncommon. The only time someone pulled a move was when there were THREE of us in the car with him (he was stupid) we jumped out at a stop sign and ran. BUT in hitchhiking, I was ASKING for a ride. Would I have gotten in a car with a stranger? Probably. Why? Because kids think "it will never happen to me" or are truly naive enough to not even suspect the danger.

All we can do is keep warning them. I hate sharing negative stories like this one with children, but I think we need to do more to make them aware of the dangers. I do this with my son when it comes to drunk driving or motorcycle accidents, like it or not, he hears about every one I read to pound it into his head that it could happen to him if he's not careful.

330 Years Sounds Fair to Me

Jamie Martinez

From the OC Register (highlights mine)

BY LARRY WELBORN

The Orange County Register

SANTA ANA A Buena Park man was sentenced to 330 years to life in prison today for sexually assaulting four girls, ages 5 to 11.

Jaime Martinez, 37, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge James A. Stotler in July as his trial was under way on 32 felony counts – including rape – involving young girls in his family.

One of the victims reported the abuse in December 2006 when she was 9, according to a news release from the Orange County District Attorney's Office. The girl said she had been sexually abused her since she was 5, including in the restroom of her elementary school.

The girl told police that Martinez also hit her and showed her a gun, saying he would hurt her and others in the family if she told anyone about the abuse, prosecutors said.

Buena Park police investigated and identified three other girls, ages 6, 9 and 11, who were also being molested.

New Blog To Check Out:

I'd like to share you with you a brand new blog. It's written by a young woman that I've had the privilege (and fun) of getting to know recently, its not your average "what's going on in my life" blog,. Carrie courageously shares her about something that is both personal and painful. I will let you read it for yourself rather than try to explain it but I will say that we "met" via my blog, "A Place to Talk About Rape" when she found the newspaper article there about the man who has turned her world into a nightmare (at times).

Over the years I have met several young women that have overcome huge challenges, addictions, situations, etc. and have used the negatives in their lives to make them stronger. I always prayed that my past and the things that happened to me (or by me) would someday be used for good to help others. I can see that happening with Carrie, she's gusty, smart, determined and compassionate. As I get to know her I have to keep reminding myself how young she actually is because she is very wise for a teenager and already has some great goals and plans for her future (which there is no doubt in my mind she will accomplish).

I respect her for stepping out and writing a blog. I hope you will visit her:

My Life, A Not So Straight and Narrow Path

Bad, Bad Teachers - a new link on my sidebar

A friend sent me a link to a site she found and I've added it here.  The title of the site says it all but here is how they describe themselves:

As you probably guessed from the name of this site, its focus is upon educators accused of behaving badly and in various and sundry ways, usually criminal in nature.
Hardly a day goes by that the news media is not reporting on yet another teacher school employee run amok and often students are victimized in the process.
This site exists not to glorify bad behavior but rather to shed light upon a serious problem and one which appears to be getting worse with each passing month and year.

Its the same reason I have this blog - a place to talk about the ugliness of sexual crimes and abuse.  Its intent is to educate, warn and bring awareness to this growing problem.

Sadly, we have to protect ourselves at all times:

Adrian Montano Fuerte

Mechanic guilty of assaulting women in auto pit He abused five women after luring them into a service bay under the pretense of showing them where repairs were needed on their cars.

Full story in OC Register here.

A Reminder:

RAPE IS ABOUT VIOLENCE NOT SEX

I just read the story of an 85 year old Holocaust survivor that endured a brutal rape two years ago when she was 83 years old.  It reminds me of the day in my training class that we learned about rape not having anything do do with sex, and everything to do with violence.

This is hard for me to agree with because so often it does seem that men rape for some sort of sexual gratification, but experts say that is NOT the case.  The sexual gratification is based in violence and domination.  I can't believe this poor elderly lady who lived through so much as a young girl had to endure this horrific kind of violence.

My heart hurts when I read this happening over and over....

Aaron Westbook

Teacher gets 240 days in jail for having sex with students
Prosecutors had wanted prison time for
Aaron Edwin Westbrook, 26, of Irvine

I'll let you read the article if you want details. Two things about this infuriate, disgust and worry me:

1. Our children are not safe at school. This guy is a child predator. You may argue that the girls were old enough to know what they are doing. 17 year old girls are not adults and not mature enough to always make good decisions. I can guarantee this guy charmed and flirted to get what he wanted. He KNEW that these girls were underage. He did it twice. He would have kept doing it if someone had not stopped him. He is 26 years old, don't tell me that there aren't plenty of woman over 18 for him to date (hopefully over 21).

2. His sentence was bullcrap! I know that judge from sitting in his court for 48 hours over the last few months and he was wrong to let this guy off so easy. I'm very disappointed.

The "Not Rape" Epidemic

This article is long, its graphic in places and very disturbing, but its important.

From Post Secret Today:

 

  

 

He Tried To Get Away but this SLIME was not Slippery Enough

 

Brandon Louis Whitaker

This Lake Forest resident has lots of CHILD PORN and tried to get away from police.  Thankfully he didn't.