It’s hard to know the right thing to say as Biddeford once again faces the issue of childhood sexual abuse, so shortly after the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal. It’s an uncomfortable topic and I’m sure many people either don’t care or just want it to go away. Unfortunately, for those affected by abuse, it never goes away.

The new residency restriction for registered sex offenders is a small gesture from the Biddeford City Council. However, there are many offenders not on the registry because they were never convicted, or more likely, charges were never pressed, or even more likely, the victim/survivor never told anyone it happened.

It’s up to all of us to make it safe for survivors to talk about what happened to them, no matter how long ago it was, without fear of stigma, or worse, the fear of not being believed. The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault 24-hour support line is a resource for anyone who needs someone with whom to talk confidentially: 800-871-7741.

If you’re a survivor: You’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. If someone you love is a survivor: The best thing you can do is listen and believe; you can’t fix or change what happened, but your support will go a long way in the recovery process.

Kathleen Pinard