Also signing this letter were Brandie Starr, of Brattleboro, and Diana Whitney, of Brattleboro.
In the recent WSESD candidates' forum, Kelly Young talks about empathy for survivors, and Tim Maciel says his "heart goes out" to them.
Brian Remer says that he hopes survivors will someday "build resilience."
These sentiments are misplaced and patronizing when referring to the fully empowered, accomplished adults who came forward and reported to Attorney Goddard. The fact that survivors remain anonymous does not give license to create fictional depictions of them - especially not depictions that suggest the problem is some kind of personal, psychological deficit in the survivors themselves, rather than a failing and sick institution.
None of the survivors I spoke with mentioned wanting the board's empathy, or for the board to provide support for them through "social and therapeutic structures," as Lance Cutler termed it. They wanted accountability and change. They wanted the board to follow through on promises of transparency. They wanted their abusers exposed so that kids would be protected.
Board members seem to think that survivors are the only people who were harmed by their recent actions. In fact, the whole community - including current students - suffers when its institutions fail to act with integrity.
Now, every student has witnessed the way the WSESD will handle reports of abuse and how they will treat those who are harmed while in their care. This is the real tragedy, and it will surely have repercussions for years to come.
Mindy Haskins Rogers
Brattleboro
Also signing this letter were Brandie Starr, of Brattleboro, and Diana Whitney, of Brattleboro.
This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons.