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True victimhood is being hijacked. Some claim that every woman is the victim of every man or every person of color is the victim of every white person.

While I understood the “Me too” movement, drawing attention to how many girls are molested as children, it was hard to know how realistic the numbers were.  How many were true victims finally willing to speak out and how many embraced a false victimhood in order to gain sympathy and borrowed virtue?  We don’t know but the obvious fiction of many “victimhood” stories has cast a shadow.

In contrast, there are many true victims of violence or sexual assault who don’t speak up when the offense happens. In some way our culture has sent them a clear notice that victims of these are to remain silent or they are the ones who will be shamed and vilified for the acts against them.

Why do our daughters and sons not tell someone when they are assaulted? Do they believe that they are at fault? Is rampant false victimology inhibiting their reporting? Deuteronomy 22 teaches that a young woman is to “cry out” if “a young man finds her and lies with her” (Deuteronomy 22:23-24).  Are we teaching our children to “cry out” if they are approached or assaulted by someone (See Ephesians 5:11)? Do we look for or ignore signs that abuse has occurred?

Years ago I learned of a man who had been a good kid until one day he took a chef’s knife to the edge of a brand new counter in his parent’s kitchen. He was severely punished but no one thought to ask, “What happened to him?” He had been being sexually abused by an Aunt. That truth did not come out for years.

There are five responses we need to teach the next generation in order to see them respond appropriately to almost any issue regarding abuse. These responses are:

• Truth
• Justice
• Responsibility
• Forgiveness
• Thanksgiving

In brief, we need to know the truth, both about what has happened and what God’s Law says about it in order to get justice. Justice is only accomplished when the truth is revealed (Ephesians 5:11) and the law applied. It’s important for  victims to know that their abuser has been justly punished.

It is the responsibility of the victim to speak up and trust that the Lord will use truth to vindicate them and reveal the truth to others who can help. This should also protect possible future victims from an assault. There is little chance for a victim to see justice if the truth is not spoken.

Then, for their own good, the victim must forgive the aggressor. This is not necessarily reconciliation unless there is true repentance and the victim is convinced they would be safe with the person. That may take time to see.

Lastly, a victim is to be thankful that the Lord has sustained her, that He has provided the ability for her to “cry out” to get help, and be thankful for His compassion and love for His children. Each individual will find more for which to be thankful.

Sadly, man’s ways often leave us disappointed and feeling like our “crying out” was (or may be) wasted. It falls on deaf ears or, the way the victim cries out is sinful (like taking a knife to a counter), and she is the one punished.

We can rest assured that our God has seen what happened. He has heard our cry. And, He will exact eternal justice, regardless of what we see.

His Word is true:                                                                                               God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.  Psalm 7:11

For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. Psalm 37:28

The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:6