I heard the report Sunday on the radio, a girl six years old had been sexually assaulted in a Surrey, BC neighbourhood. She was walking with her brother who is 12 and his friend 15 when a man approached them at knife point and ordered the boys to wait as he took the girl into the woods and assaulted her. The story continues to unfold with the release of a composite drawing of the suspect. There are many children worldwide who have been victims of assault and when I open this topic up I do so in remembrance of all of them. The silent cries and innocence lost.

Instead of me writing from my personal experience working with victims of sexual and physical assault or from my rage about this tragic incident, I will say exactly what came to mind while watching a music DVD. There was a moment when the image of a young girl playing a piano graced the screen, the song had nothing to do with a tragedy such as this, but some how my music world collided for a brief moment with the face of a child. So I write this for the little girl from Surrey, BC and all those children who have suffered.

I’m so sorry. I’m sorry that you had such a terrifying moment in your life where nobody could save you. I know that what you saw and felt has changed you and I’m sorry for that too. You were not deserving of such treatment, there is nothing you could have done to stop a bad person like this person. You are six years old and life should not look like this, so young and innocent, precious in the eyes of many who love you and those that have never met you.

You are probably afraid to fall asleep at night and going outside will be difficult, people just won’t be the same anymore. You may not trust and that is normal for what you have experienced. I pray that you will be surrounded by people who will help you, that their anger will not overtake the core needs of your mind and spirit. I’m sorry that this bad person took away so much from you but I hope you eventually come to a place of healing. That may take a long time but I ask you to hold on tight to yourself.

You, my little one, have a big life to live. Brought into this world for reasons only your spirit knows but I can tell you that this bad person will not be there. He does not hold the rest of your life in his hands, you can’t let him! Your body is your own, your mind is you own and so are your dreams.

If nightmares come and you don’t feel safe go to the arms of those you do trust and love dearly. They will protect you.

There may be a lot of people talking around you right now and I want you to hum or play a favourite song. When people are hurt and feel powerless there may be much said, but those are feelings they have to express. I pray that they shield you from that, but whatever you hear don’t let it be an imprint on your soul that causes any more pain. Release it. Tell you stuffed toy to take it away for you. Tie it to a balloon and let it float off into the sky.

I’m so sorry your little life has been turned upside down. It will be different, I can’t tell a lie, but it will right itself eventually if every body does their part to make it so. Do the best you can, I know you will.

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