So. I was raised by a domestic violence lawyer. She was always really passionate about her job, about fighting abuse.

When I was in middle school, I was abused myself. A teacher. I knew what was happening. I knew what they said to do about - tell a trusted adult. They would know what to do.

My mother, the domestic violence lawyer, always so passionate about stopping abuse. She didn’t believe me. I was just a dumb kid, and kids make things up all the time.

I realized there’s not much a kid can do to protect themself. “Tell a trusted adult” is the solution, not because adults are more responsible, but because they actually have fucking rights. If an adult has a bad job, they can get up and quit. If I tried to walk away from school, I’d be beaten.

None of the adults wanted to listen to me, so what could I do? Jack fucking shit. I had that teacher for three years until I moved on to high school. I still have the trauma.

Treat kids like people. I don’t want to hear any of this shit about how stupid they are. They know more about their own life experience than you do. Listen to them