Stuck in a hole!

A victim of catholic clergy abuse was stuck in a hole, it was actually a pit of despair. He had tried to get out for ages, climbing up and then falling back into the hole. He tried shouting but no one seemed to hear, he was beginning to feel suicidal and he wondered if he would survive.

Along came a passing  counsellor, who saw the victim in the hole and sympathised. The counsellor wanted to know “How does that make you FEEL?” and proceeded to explain that he would need years of therapy  and that of course would have a cost, but the counsellor promised to come back another day and “explore his feelings” further.

The victim thanked the counsellor, he had enjoyed having someone to speak to,--but he was still in the hole!

A priest walked by, at first he pretended not to see the victim, and tried to walk away, but the victim kept shouting and so he came back, he sympathised with his plight, asked him all about it and offered to pray with him. The victim thanked the priest, declined the prayers  and  as the priest walked away -- he was still in the hole!.

The Pope kept hearing  about the victim, and was embarrassed by being asked  all  the time what he was going to do -  so he went along to the top of the hole and shouted down to the victim that he was really really sorry!--- and as he scuttled off, (as fast as he could) --  the victim was still in the hole!

A lawyer came along, he wasn’t one of the good ones who is realistic and doesn’t give any bullshit, he was the celebrity kind, all orange perma- tanned and sparkly white teeth, able to turn on and off his tears on a sixpence. He told the victim he was going to fight for him and get him millions, he had lots of successes and he was the man! The victim thanked him, and was delighted that he was going to be fought for. But as the lawyer went off to organise yet another press conference -and a few TV appearances, - the victim was still in the hole!

One of the variety of “support” organisations sent a man to talk to the victim, he spent hours telling the victim all about his own abuses, and suggested that if he could recover- then so could the victim! The victim agreed, but as the “champion” walked away to try and get some “funding” -- the victim was still in the hole!

A psychiatrist was next, he explained to the victim how he had been badly damaged, that his brain had sustained permanent damage and that his life expectancy was probably shortened, he used a lot of long words, and explained the severity of the victims plight, and then he walked away,excitedly,  back to academia where he could talk about it and even present a paper- and the victim was still in the hole!

A journalist came along, he wanted to know the full story, especially the sordid bits, and promised to tell the world about the victim’s plight. And as he walked away to meet his deadline-- the victim was still in the hole!

A variety of others came and went, all of them seemed to think they had the magic “answer”, but after they had gone- the victim was still in the hole!

Then a Survivor came along- He climbed down into the hole with the victim - much to his dismay! The victim said “what are you doing? I have ben stuck down here for years, now we are both in the hole!

The Survivor said "yes you are right- but don’t worry I have been here before- and I know how to get out!"

Whenever a victim of clergy abuse reaches out for help- I want the hand of Survivors Voice Europe to be there!