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OPINION 6A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 GUEST COLUMN Founded in 1873 STEPHEN A. FORRESTER, Editor & Publisher LAURA SELLERS, Managing Editor BETTY SMITH, Advertising Manager CARL EARL, Systems Manager JOHN D. BRUIJN, Production Manager DEBRA BLOOM, Business Manager Children have right to protection By MARGARET FRIMOTH For The Daily Astorian T he topic of child sexual abuse is always disturbing, and often, more complex than can be imagined. Child sexual abuse is a commu- nity issue that dramatically impacts our schools, work environments, places of worship and, too frequent- ly, our personal relationships. In response, let’s take a collective deep breath and learn to deal effective- O\ZLWKWKHVWDWLVWLFDOUDPL¿FDWLRQVVXU- rounding childhood trauma. Despite more than three decades of work in this area, the statistics still unnerve me. For instance, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services (2014), 10 percent of children in Clatsop County have experienced childhood victimization. The Rape, mericans take farming for granted, believing it is static, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAAIN) states that a sexual assault unchanging. We buy food in supermarkets, Retzlaff said that stamina is import- occurs in the U.S. every two minutes, and that 44 percent of the victims are often with little knowledge of where ant, but so is an array of knowledge children under age 18. The Center for the food came from. from soil science to insects to ac- Disease Control, reports that 200 mil- Consumer attitudes and farming counting and marketing. lion workdays are lost annually due to are changing. Small farms are pop- One measure of the vitality of unresolved childhood trauma. If we truly care about children, we ping up with some regularity in the the small agriculture movement is cannot allow ignorance, despair, or sorry for the accused, or we may be &ROXPELD3DFL¿F UHJLRQ %HKLQG Oregon State University’s response. PDQLSXODWLRQ WR GH¿QH D FRPPXQLW\ unable to fathom the descriptions of these ventures is a new generation of After decades of devotion to big pro- standard about sexual abuse. Recently, abuse. We may question children’s dis- entrepreneurs. They are playing to a duction agriculture, OSU in 2013 es- defense attorney Jay Frank wrote an closures because they are too disturb- new consumer base that cares deeply tablished the Center for Small Farms editorial that attempted to sway public ing to believe. News headlines rarely about where their food source is. and Community Food Systems, with opinions away from protecting chil- capture the pain, the betrayal, or the dren by diminishing the long-term consequences Sometimes these people come to two faculty members. actions of his client, now of abuse. The normaliza- farming with a degree in agriculture. Retzlaff credits the OSU center a convicted sex offender. Stand tion of sexual violence More often, farming is a second or with having programs that are rele- His words compounded in popular culture means up for third life choice. vant to the emerging farmer. These the opinions written in an that only the most horren- dous accounts of abuse Teresa Retzlaff is one of the most programs are delivered through earlier editorial by Jack children. Harris. make headlines. energetic and articulate examples of OSU’s statewide extension network, 6SHFL¿FDOO\ )UDQN But statistically, we Listen. the new breed of farmer. Retzlaff’s which has been active in small farm- used legal rhetoric to ob- are surrounded by abuse, odyssey that brought her to 46 North ing since the 1990s. One of the Center scure the uncomfortable Believe. and in response, commu- Farm in Olney is like that of many for Small Farms’ new programs is evidence — a child was QLW\ PHPEHUV PD\ ¿QG themselves divided be- other self-taught business peo- titled Growing Farms: Successful sexually abused, bribed, Protect. and threatened by a trust- tween support of the vic- ple. She told her story last week at Whole Farm Management. ed caregiver. Frank shifts the focus tim or the perpetrator. When divisions Columbia Forum. Educational resources are essen- away from the abuse by spotlighting take center stage, the devastation left Every line of work has its barri- tial to any line of business. But the convicted offender, Michel Thom- by the abuse is shouldered primarily ers to entry, many of which are based rarest part of entrepreneurship is as Mitchell, as not guilty because he by the child and nonoffending friends on myth. One myth that Retzlaff the entrepreneur. That describes the plead “by Alford.” and family members. Yet, honestly, we Let’s face it, most sex offenders all suffer from the burden of abuse. exposed and demolished is the be- value of Retzlaff and her husband, deny guilt. That is to be expected. Defense attorneys capitalize on our lief that you can’t farm on the North Packy Coleman. Their persistence Let’s not make offender denial news- confusion, our denial and our fatigue. Coast. In her early quest, she heard is an example for others who might worthy. Instead, as community mem- It is their job to chisel away at a com- that shibboleth. She found it em- nurture the ambition to farm. bers, we need to understand the role of munity’s resolve to safeguard children. bodied in Clatsop County’s 1980 The emergence of small farms, GHIHQVH DWWRUQH\V ZLWKRXW VDFUL¿FLQJ Still, we must hold offenders account- able while ensuring a community stan- Comprehensive Plan, which says as well as farmers markets, on the our responsibility to protect children. In actuality, the sexual abuse of dard that does not tolerate abuse. This that the future of farming in this North Coast is one of the healthiest county is not bright. trends in our larger region — extend- children is a heinous crime. Its de- begins by acknowledging the reality of structiveness extends well beyond a abuse. Contrary to popular belief, run- LQJWR:DVKLQJWRQ¶V3DFL¿F&RXQW\ single court case. The statistical reality A good illustration was the Astoria ning a farm is a complex enterprise. and Puget Island. of the crime may numb our responses Co-op Grocery’s immediate actions and muddle our ability to act decisive- when employee Mitchell was arrested ly on behalf of children. and charged with child sexual abuse. When this occurs, we may feel Had the co-op waited for a legal reso- HEATHER RAMSDELL, Circulation Manager Small farm success destroys a myth A Clatsop County 1980 plan discourages farming Fee was always ready to rescue lution before taking action, they would have sent a clear message to all shop- pers that safety was not their primary goal. But the Astoria Co-op did not respond this way. Instead, the entire Board of Di- rectors took swift action to remove Mitchell, to protect children and families, to speak out against acts of victimization, and to ensure a safe environment. Their actions are com- mendable and I encourage others to join me in supporting the Astoria Co- op with our thanks and our purchases. Perhaps more businesses and organi- zations will follow suit. Child sexual abuse thrives on three major contributing factors — vic- tim-blaming, victim-playing and si- lencing. Watch for these strategies as they are interwoven into sexual abuse cases. Recognize them as ploys to mis- lead and deceive. Don’t fall prey to the tactics. Instead, stand up for children. Listen. Believe. Protect. If you get confused, remember WKDWZHH[SHFW¿UHGHSDUWPHQWVWRUH- spond immediately without waiting WRFRQ¿UPZKHWKHUD¿UHH[LVWV,QDQ emergency, we understand that due process follows action. The sexual abuse of children is no less an emer- gency. Children have a right to safety and protection as a primary obligation of a healthy community. Let’s embrace this standard of care for our children. Astorian Margaret Frimoth is a founder of Victory Over Child Abuse (VOCA) Camps Putin’s gambit, Obama’s puzzlement infusion of battle tanks, Europeans have no idea armored personnel carri- what to do. Putin offers a ers, howitzers and hous- way out: No war, no refu- ing for 1,500 — strongly gees. Stop the Syrian civil war and not only do they ASHINGTON — Once suggesting ground forces harnelle Fee, who died last week hours and heartfelt effort goes. That’s to follow. VWRSÀRRGLQJLQWR(XURSH again, President Obama at age 68, exhibited a level of just about as good as life can get,” she 4. To push out the those already there go and his foreign policy team are Americans. For Putin, back home to Syria. passion for her cause that was deeply told a reporter in November 1999. stumped. geopolitics is a zero-sum Putin says, settle the admirable — the kind of thorough Fee sank her life savings into the game: Russia up, America war with my client in Why is Vladimir Putin pouring engagement that considerably makes Olney property that is still home to down. He is demonstrating place — the Assad regime troops and weaponry into Syria? Charles up for the indifference of others. the wildlife center, after having al- whom you can rely on in joined by a few “healthy” Krauthammer Her cause was useful and humane ready dedicated a decade to animal After all, as Secretary of State this very tough neighbor- opposition forces — and I here at the dangerous interface be- rehab. Now operating as an IRS- John Kerry has thrice told his Rus- hood. Obama has given short shrift solve your refugee nightmare. You almost have to admire the WZHHQ1RUWK$PHULFDDQGWKH3DFL¿F UHFRJQL]HG QRQSUR¿W FRUSRUDWLRQ sian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, it is to the Kurds, shafted America’s al- lies with the Iran deal and abandoned cynicism. After all, what’s driving Ocean. She founded and played an the center’s board is committed to only making things worse. But worse for whom? For the ad- the Anbar Sunnis who helped us win the refugees is the war and what’s oversized role in the operation of the keeping it going. It is to be hoped ditional thousands of civilians who the surge. Meanwhile, Putin risks driving the war is Iran and Russia. Wildlife Center of the North Coast, a they succeed. Without the center, eu- ZLOOGLHRUÀHHDVDUHVXOWRIWKHLQ- putting Russian boots on the ground They provide the material, the funds kind of triage center and hospital for thanasia would often be the default HYLWDEO\ LQWHQVL¿HG ¿JKWLQJ 7UXH to rescue his Syrian allies. and now, increasingly, the troops that Obama says Bashar al-Assad has IXHOWKH¿JKWLQJ7KHDUVRQLVWSOD\V sick and injured creatures around the response for most ailing wildlife and I’m sure Lavrov is as moved by mouth of the Columbia River. found on our beaches and elsewhere. their plight as by the 8,000 killed in to go, draws a red line on chemical ¿UHPDQ After all, most of the refugees Since Fee launched the center in Like all who passionately believe Russia’s splendid little Ukrainian ad- weapons — and does nothing. Rus- venture. sia acts on behalf of a desperate ally. DUHQRWÀHHLQJWKH,VODPLF6WDWH,WV the spring of 1999, it has rehabilitat- in their missions, Fee was not univer- Kerry and Obama are serially Whom do you want in your corner? depravity is more ostentatious, but ed thousands of seabirds, raptors and sally popular. Nor did all her positions surprised because they cannot fath- 5. To relegitimize post-Crimea it is mostly visited upon minorities, other animals. ¿QGPDMRULW\VXSSRUWLQORFDOFRPPX- om the hard men in the Kremlin. Yet Russia by making it indispensable in Christian and Yazidi — and they The center has often been in the nities. She was very much opposed, Putin’s objectives in Syria are blin- Syria. It’s a neat two-cushion shot. have already been largely ethnically At the U.N. next week, Putin will of- cleansed from Islamic State territo- news, for example when ocean con- for instance, to government efforts to dingly obvious: 1. To assert Russia’s fer Russia as a core mem- ry. The European detention camps ditions have resulted in dozens of se- lower the population of salmon-eat- LQÀXHQFH LQ WKH 0LG- ber of a new anti-Islamic DUHRYHUÀRZLQJZLWK6\ULDQVÀHHLQJ riously ailing birds washing ashore in ing birds in the Columbia estuary. dle East and make it the The State coalition. Obama’s Assad’s barbarism, especially his a short time. Fee and a devoted cad- Some decried her as a do-gooder. dominant outside power. war — with attacks on civilians, using artillery, arsonist Potemkin its phantom local troops FKORULQH JDV DQG QDLO¿OOHG EDUUHO re of volunteers met such demands But in Fee’s case, it was always Putin’s highest ambition (our $500 million train- bombs. with dedication worthy of a Korean about the wildlife. Asked about her is to avenge and reverse plays Putin to the rescue. As with Russia’s humiliating loss ing program has yielded War-era MASH unit, working count- relationship with the public, she said, of superpower status a fireman. ¿YH ¿JKWHUV VR IDU DQG the chemical weapons debacle, he less hours in the hope of saving and ³, EHOLHYH WKH SHRSOH RI WKH 3DFL¿F quarter-century ago. Un- ÀDFFLGDLUFDPSDLJQ²LV steps in to save the day. If we ac- returning to the wild as many avian Northwest care deeply about the derstanding this does not come easi- ÀDLOLQJEDGO\:KDW3XWLQLVSURSRV- quiesce, Russia becomes an indis- victims as possible. environment and its wildlife. I have ly to an American president who for ing is that Russia, Iran and Hezbol- pensable partner. It begins military No job was too big or too small met individuals who have made ex- seven years has been assiduously cu- ODKVSHDUKHDGWKHDQWLMLKDGLVW¿JKW and diplomatic coordination with Putin’s offer is clear: Stop us. (We’ve just agreed to negoti- — bald eagles to ducklings were traordinary effort to rescue distressed rating America’s decline abroad. 2. To sustain Russia’s major and ¿JKWLQJ $VVDG DFFHSW 5XVVLD DV ations over Russia’s Syrian build- rescued at the wildlife center, always ZLOGOLIHWKDWWKH\¿QG2XUFHQWHULV long-standing Arab ally. Ever since a major player, and acquiesce to up.) Its post-Ukraine isolation is with the goal of returning them to here to help them complete that ef- Anwar Sadat kicked the Soviets out a Russia-Iran-Hezbollah regional lifted and, with Iran, it becomes the their habitats. fort by providing a place for wildlife of Egypt in 1972, Syria’s Assads hegemony — and we will lead the regional arbiter. In the end, the Putin strategy may ³1RPDWWHUKRZPDQ\ZH¿JKWWR to receive medical treatment and re- have been Russia’s principal asset in drive against the Islamic State from not work, but it’s deadly serious the Middle East. in front. VDYHDQG¿QDOO\JHWWRUHOHDVHEDFNLQWR habilitative care.” 3. To expand the reach of Rus- And there is a bonus. The clev- and not at all obscure. The White nature, this is what it’s really all about: In an age when most of us experi- sia’s own military. It has a naval erest part of the Putin gambit is its House can stop scratching its collec- releasing healthy wildlife back to their ence nature via television, Fee was a base at Tartus, its only such outside unstated cure for Europe’s refugee tive head whenever another Condor natural homes while kids and parents hands-on advocate. Her absence will RI5XVVLD,WKDVDQDLU¿HOGQHDU/DW- crisis. transport unloads its tanks and ma- akia, now being expanded with an and volunteers see where all the long be noticed. Wracked by guilt and fear, the rines at Latakia. S Staunch wildlife advocate left lasting legacy By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER Washington Post Writers Group W