Lovely mix, Pam. I'm sorry to hear about that girl... feel free to drop a line if you'd like to vent. And take care of your flu.

the saddest of times muster up our greatest strength...we can always heal...healing through friendship, family, art and the magnificant voice of music. Beautiful mix Pam.

The same sort of thing happened at my school last year. The worst part: the school officials COVERED IT UP and DIDN'T TELL THE PUBLIC. How's that for intelligence? My deepest sympathy at the confusion/fear you are probably feeling.

that's horrible! .. but i do think that it's important to respond, and it's important not to cover up emotions. for all the ways that might make you, as a figure of authority, seem vulnerable to a classroom of 13-year-olds, it's probably more accurate to talk to the kids with unadulterated (literally) emotions. i'm not entirely sure i know what i'm saying, cuz i wouldn't know what to say in a situation like that, either.

That really is horrible - it is important to talk to the kids about it though, at least to let them speak their minds about what they think about it, and to try and reassure them as well.

so sorry to hear this happened (again). i think it's great that you're responding to the events creatively (via music) and are searching for a way to connect with your students. i wish i had something insightful to say, but i can only show support for you right now.

Teenagers 16-19 were more than twice as likely as any other age group to be victims of rape or sexual assault, similar to previous years' figures. People age 12-15 and 20-24 are also in high-risk groups; after age 24, the rate of attacks steadily declines.

Last year, 62% of victims reported that they knew their attacker; most often, the rapist was a friend or acquaintance. In 34% of rapes and sexual assaults, the victim did not know their attacker.

"In the safest of neighborhoods" sounds like you'd expect that in a different neighborhood. It happens everywhere. In rich families there's just as much incestual abuse as in poor families.

Being angry about it might be a start. Talking about it, and finding ways to not tolerate situations that men want women to tolerate is something young women can't do alone. They need role models.

I agree about talking about emotions with groups of kids--they'll respond well and when you ask them for suggestions about how to make schools safer (life in general safer) they'll come up with many suggestions. The fact is, every day we pass our values on to the next generation. The question becomes what values we'll pass on.

Oh, believe me, I'm angry. The guy's in custody now and if I had my chance I'd likely kill him with my bare hands regardless of my pacifist beliefs. And I know these statistics, but a child being raped in her own school, a place that's supposed to be safe even in this dangerous society is outrageous. Rape itself is outrageous. I know these statistics, believe me. However, I grew up in the same school district as this girl but on the other side. The wring side of the tracks, in a metaphorical sense. I was not allowed to go to the park after dusk for fear of the Crips, Bloods, drug dealers, and rapists that frequented it. I grew up aware that danger could be around any corner. These children have grown up sheltered in million dollar homes. They haven't been trained to be aware. They don't carry pocket-knives(under 3", of course, to meet school policies) to use in case of attack. But as an intern I am in no position to tell them about the big, scary world out there. I can only offer reassurance that the guy is in custody and tell them to be more aware of their surroundings and there's safety in numbers. My problem is not going to be finding something to say. My problem is going to finding something that doesn't get too politically involved or violent, as is my natural reaction. I know too many girls that have been hurt, I've been in too many hospital emergency rooms with assaulted women to want to sit back and talk about it calmly. That's my problem with the teaching situation.

Man this is harsh. I'll be starting out at a high school in a week and I've been so caught up with planning I haven't had a second to think about how I would handle something like this if it were to happen. I certainly hope it doesn't, but if it does, I hope I know what to do. My sympathies...