All victims should be survivors

To the editor:

Thank you for the comment on courage from the editorial board dated Friday, July 25. The criminal justice class on victim perspective was very informative and well delivered and there were many wonderful speakers. All who spoke, listened, attended and offered information, questions and comments, or just an ear were greatly appreciated.

Those not wanting a name mentioned but were as brave to tell their story (you know who you are): thank you as well, you deserve the recognition though I do understand the need for privacy. There was no surprise to me at Sami's strength or conviction — she has a wonderful, supportive family and is very wise and as committed a young lady as I have seen.

I would like to add, however, a very important point: The fact that I was not the only victim in this hellish nightmare that night. Two of my teenage children were also in involved in this unexpected fight for our lives. They too lost physical ability (my son a baseball scholarship) and great emotional presence as well as the lasting effects to their siblings who had started families of their own and lived out of town. This was not a spousal domestic beating that was re-occurring, but exactly the opposite. A man we thought we knew was a sudden horrific stranger in our presence.

I am not saying that domestic ongoing violence is any less horrific except we had no warning, and no dispute was involved. If nothing else this situation is much more confusing, if not emotional. All who go through tragic loss, and emotional and physical abuse should remember one thing: people do care, and MayDay in Baker City is only one great example. I can't help but believe that if this would have occurred here we would be much better off, emotionally at least! Please trust, and believe in the advocates and people such as Michele Woods who use their day, week, and life committed to this cause and your life and healing. ALL victims can be survivors.

Debra L. Parlin

Baker City