I am following the path of the forty days of fasting and crucifixion and rebirth, this being a Holy week in which we remember the quiet acceptance of Jesus that he would be sacrificed among thieves and castigated and left to die alone. I sat in a pew in church yesterday and listened to the events re-enacted by three very ernest members of the congregation. These three men played out the parts of the twelve apostles, of Pontius Pilot and of Barrabus. The simple play read so passionately whilst we sat with eyes closed was all it took to actually visualise how someone so loved and revered could be destroyed by a crowd driven by a few instigators who actually were afraid of the power he wielded in such a gentle and compassionate manner. Why does human nature always react so badly when threatened with good versus evil.

I read today that 46 teachers had been caught and were being investigated for sexual abuse in our schools this year alone. My own victimised daughter in 2005 silently suffered and bled and then when she spoke up about her fear and self loathing, she was made to hurt even more. Of course we don't expect a pat on the back when we expose such atrocities in the schools, but the silence and quiet acceptance makes me believe that nothing has ever been taught or remembered, even though it is a Christian matter to stand up to what is wrong and evil in the world. Christianity has been distorted and used and abused so much, that it is not a popular concept.

When I sit in my own haven and listen to that famous story I am convinced that the message is still good for this day and age. Why must we stand up and be shouted down, or simply remain silent on something so huge as teachers abusing their pupils, in a place of safety.

My daughter wrote a book about her experiences in 2006. This exercise was mainly because there was no recourse to justice, and certainly no-one took her suffering that seriously. She ended the book by saying that hers would be the final word on the subject, to warn and prevent others from suffering the same fate. A pupil was bravely telling a story that her school kept under wraps. The women teachers at the school traced her even though she used a pseudonym. They praised her for being so brave and outspoken, even though she risked further ostracism. The headmaster simply banned the book. It is still whispered about at the school and the women teachers still defend my daughter and warn the pupils that sex predators do exist. That is a small success at least.

Well well, the reaction divided the teachers into good and bad. I took the matter to the Council for Educators and insisted that they investigate the teacher further. He was finally given a black mark. Such was the silence, that nobody in the community and even parents who put their children into the school are aware of the travesty only a few years ago. One mother was so shocked when I told her of my daughter's abuse that she thanked me for making sure he does not teach there. My daughter is a quiet hero, still struggling with terrible post traumatic stress, and the consequences of a set back. Her book is still out there, with a web-page giving advice, yet 46 teachers have been able to repeat these terrible deeds over and over again. What of the victims? It is a terrible stigma to speak out, nobody loves a whistle-blower. If only my daughter's lessons could have been used to prevent the further abuse. If only....

But as this week progresses and the sun finally rises on a new born day and year of hope and love, perhaps the message will make a difference. It is a good time to remember that we are all capable of speaking out where we see abuse. Nothing goes unnoticed, but lives are at stake if we keep saying "it is not our problem".

Happy Easter, may hope and dignity be reborn in all of us.

Love from Eve and Talia.