What Would You Do?

Do you have an issue with this story because of its validity? Or because it's being told?

Is the problem that people know about the offense? The details of the pain caused and inflicted, the result of dismantling someone’s life, the gaslighting, the blame-shifting, and the lack of accountability. Or is the issue in naming it? Shedding light on the truth and the villain for who he is.

Is the problem now that you have to see the crime and the criminal for what they are instead of turning a blind eye? If there were no abusive acts to speak of, then would there even be a problem here? There certainly wouldn't be a story to tell—no words to fill these pages.

Where would we all be if there were no abuse to name, no abuser to connect the dots to?

​What would you do if it were about your daughter, son, sister, brother, or friend suffering the abuse? Would you tell them to stay? Or encourage them to go? Would you judge them, tell them they’re overreacting, and to stay quiet? Or would you create a safe space for them to turn to when things escalated, and their safety was compromised?

But more importantly, what would you do if it were your daughter, son, sister, brother, or friend who delivered the abuse? Would you hold up a mirror and hold them accountable? Or would you say it’s just him being him, that’s how he is? And stay out of it, knowing he’s hurt you and countless others in this way. And if that’s what you choose, to do nothing, how would you sleep at night?  Would you rest easy knowing he is responsible for causing so much pain and destruction?

Imagine if this were your child, your sister, or your friend. What would you do?