I am so glad to read about Dawson Place for child abuse victims. From personal experience I know that this is sadly needed. Several years ago my granddaughter and a few other young girls were abused by a neighbor. He carefully groomed them from the age of 7 and 8 years old. He took his own life rather than face his consequences. This added to the girls’ guilt, which children feel even if they are the victims. He had told them of the terrible things that would happen to him if they ever told anyone.
It was all a terrible, heartbreaking experience that changed our girls’ lives. Det. Palmer was sensitive and caring to both the girls and us. He came to a neighborhood meeting to answer questions, etc. But then there didn’t seem any place to turn. My neighbor had an awful time just trying to find someone who had experience in this type of situation to counsel her daughter and could find no one. My granddaughter’s counseling was not a good experience. And, in truth, we all needed help.
How wonderful to have all the experienced sources for caring, counseling and information at one comfortable place where the children are put first and protected. It is an “unfathomably difficult trauma” as your editorial stated. My heart goes out to those who will need these services, but I am so glad that they will have them.
MARILYNNE MONRAD
Lynnwood
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