NewscomaGot A Two-Pack Habit And A Motel Tan

I was out of town over the weekend and came home to receive several several emails and see reports that Martin has had another rape, which of course, means that the serial rapist has struck again.

And I’m pissed but my personal feelings are unimportant.  Yesterday the county was filled with factual (and frightened) observations on who this guy is, why is he doing this and the reality that it’s getting worse. The local police departments (as well as the TBI) are combing the area and reporters from all over where all over Martin.

I tried to be analytical about the situation (as I used to work with battered women and sexual abuse victims) but, you know what, I couldn’t. Why you may ask?  Because I am pissed. Everyone one of these young women deserved better. Their families deserve better and the community deserves better. (That’s my personal feelings so there you go.)

This rapist, according to reports, assaults these girls in their homes. He then takes every means of financial means from them by stealing their credit/debit cards. And he’s stepping it up by bringing other people into the picture. Sex is secondary in rape, it’s about taking power. He’s also making the victims financially crippled in the aftermath of the rape.

As I tried to be somewhat analytical (as I mentioned) I think there is more than can be done than I offered before in a previous post.

• Don’t put up personal information on private scheduling on Facebook, MySpace or Twitter. As someone who adores and has benefited by social media applications, it pains me to say this but it’s the best way to be cautious.
• I noticed on Facebook a bit of fiery vigilante justice talk. Don’t do it! Let the cops do their jobs. But also be on alert.
• Be cautious but don’t panic. Panicking isn’t going to help. The community has really come out with offering self-defense classes over the weekend.
• One thing that concerns me is that anyone right now that is male, 6 foot with a big gut is a suspect. There is only one guy doing this. Not all men with a big belly are the rapist. But, with that said, also be on alert. The description is rather good but there are a lot of obese people in this world. Not all of them are the bad guy.
• If you don’t trust your locks, get new locks. If you rent, let your landlord know. Remember that the community is in this together and everyone wants to work together to catch this asshat.
• Not everything you hear is true when it comes to information about these assaults. But the community’s fear and concern is valid and also remember that the police and UT Martin are doing everything they can to deal with this head on.

My nieces are scared as well as other women. I think that hacks me off the most. There is a part of me that just wants to yell from the top of the tallest building in downtown Martin “THIS IS OUR TOWN! GET THE HELL OUT!”

Of course, that doesn’t help anyone. It’s how I feel though.

We have to work together to catch this guy as a community. And the vigilante part of me (which does exist because nothing pisses me off more than something like this) wants to see his ass kicked before he makes it to jail.