Last week, a Dispatch article detailed crimes committed by one member of my household against another. The charges are serious and disturbing, and I am fully aware of the sense of moral outrage related to them. I, and everyone in the house are feeling these things-and much more-on a very personal level. I would like to remind everyone that when a crime is committed, the victims are left to pick up the pieces.
Quite a few people have been driving by our house, getting out and staring, even leaving newspaper articles on the car windshield (as if we aren't already painfully aware of the situation). The defendant in this case is currently in jail, so this behavior only serves to torment those of us already hurt by the crimes. Unfortunately, this type of thing is a common occurrence that I feel people should be more conscientious of. The behavior of community members often, in a way, re-victimizes the victims. People in these situations are fellow members of your community who could use support instead of gawkers. If you are outraged by a crime, would it not be more constructive to volunteer, donate to a cause, or find some other way to actually help someone?
All of us feel that these situations only happen to others and will never affect us. Until they do. The outrage you feel when you hear about a terrible crime is due to the fact that you have empathy for the victim. So the next time you read the news, before you react, I urge you to remember the victims. The world would be a much better place if more people would focus on helping rather than satisfying their curiosity. Please, move along. There's nothing to see here. Only people picking up the pieces.
Kelly Ebel
Brainerd
