I understand my client feared taking that step in session today. However, without taking action, we risked being complicit in perpetuating abuse.
As per the requirements of my license, I am obligated to report any neglect or abuse of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, disabled, or those under 18, to the appropriate authority. I must clearly define where the line is drawn so that any neglect, verbal abuse, withholding of food or care, or physical abuse gets reported.
Allow me to recount a haunting memory that still lingers with me.
While traveling over Blewitt Pass, I stopped at a charming diner, The Liberty Cafe, with its three booths, two tables, and personalized coffee cups for the regulars. While sifting through a Dave Barry joke books, I smiled at a table merely six feet away from me housing a set of grandparents accompanied by their six-year-old grandson.
Leisurely sipping on my coffee and dining on my all-time favorite biscuits and gravy, I overheard something that immediately grabbed my attention. In the blink of an eye, I witnessed the young boy’s face being struck to the side by the forceful hand of the man wearing a large Stetson hat. My heart leaped into my throat and sank into my stomach, as the boy’s teary eyes met mine. In that moment, both of us were frozen in terror, utterly stunned. Once our gazes broke away, the boy’s grandmother cautioned him against crying, warning him that he would receive something even more distressing to cry about.
The aftermath of my inaction weighed heavily on me and, even today, continues to haunt me. If I had possessed even a fraction of the clarity I have now about that boundary, I would have immediately dialed 911 – no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Because if that man could exhibit such abusive behavior towards a young child in a public diner, one can only imagine what might happen behind closed doors.
I yearned for a clear distinction between right and wrong, and I am immensely grateful to have it now.
We can break the cycle of generational trauma and ensure the safety and well-being of those who need it most. Each instance where we choose to report, support, and protect sends a powerful message that vulnerable parties, especially children, deserve a safe environment and that no form of mistreatment will go unnoticed.
Thank you.
Love, Jaclynn
PS This post’s picture is of my daughter after a spill on her bike.
Going On 40 