A recent CNN story about the Japanese video “rape games” had me asking myself some questions about this subject.

Is there a point when “free speech” is no long free, such as when girls and young women are targeted and sexually assaulted in these video “rape games?”

Am I rationalizing the production of this material if I think these games perhaps provide an alternative ”outlet” for those who might otherwise act out these fantasies in a real way?

Or is the real issue not the games themselves, but the negative energy that is put out into the world by the people who think up these games, the users who play them, and the accessibility of this material to our children?

These questions represent the types of quandaries that will continue to arise, as the world’s burgeoning technology expands even further, and the material and content matter that is available to all of us multiplies.

In addition, we will need to make some serious choices about how we use our internet capability. If we choose, we can use its various tools to assist in healing what is ailing on this planet.  Or, since the internet is a neutral force in and of itself, we can also use it to accelerate the destruction of our “civilized” society.

For those of you interested, the link to the video report from CNN regarding the production of video “rape games” follows.

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/tech/2010/03/30/ctw.lah.japan.video.game.rape.cnn

Oprah Winfrey’s show on Tuesday, April 13th dealt with the issue of childhood sexual abuse, the third in a series of shows she presented on this matter.  It is not an easy subject for many people to comprehend, and it is a difficult topic to discuss. Oprah wrapped up the show by making the following statement, which I am paraphrasing.

“It is time for all of us to start talking about this subject.  Even if it means blowing up your family.”

She was addressing millions of viewers when she looked into the camera, but for me, I felt as though I received personal permission to speak up.

When I finally decided to tell my story, I knew I was throwing a hand grenade into the life of my family.  And I was fully aware, when I released my book two weeks ago, that I had also pulled the pin on that weapon. 

My opening statement in Little Madhouse on the Prairie is “It is not the truth that will hurt you – it is the lies.” 

The caption under the last picture in the book says ”And if my story spares just one child from the pain I suffered, then I will be happy, and the work I’ve done will have been worth it.”  This is what I try to do with The Angel Heart Foundation.

The opening comment and the last caption become more and more truthful to me every day that this book is out, as I watch it start to do its work.

And something else has also become more clear to me.  Sometimes you have to blow things up, before you can build something better.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

These activities, like many things in life, carry a double-edge sword.  It is wonderful that the world has become aware of the issues affecting children around the world.  And it is a blessing that for at least a month the United States is shining its bright light on these topics.  Only when we become aware of the existence of societial problems can we begin to address them.

The other side of this equation is that we must keep our focus on the rights of our children for more than just one month.  Changing their lives, and the ultimately future of this planet, requires our dedicated, consistent and diligent efforts to do so.

April is a good time to let President Obama know that we want the United States to be an active participant in addressing the rights of children around the world, not just in this country.  Please go to our child advocacy website and read about the petition demanding that the United States ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Angel Heart Foundation can be found at www.angelheartfoundation.org.

Everyday is a good day to protect the children.