April Jones and a Kinder World

The revelations about Jimmy Savile and other public figures; the facts now known about the heartbreaking torment of children in care homes; and of sex-grooming rings in British cities all demonstrate the extent of child abuse that has occurred unchecked for many decades.  Probably there was (and is still) far more than we know about generally, but until recently most evidence either was disregarded as untrue or not appropriate for investigation or for public discussion: unlike now, it was not a popular subject for media attention, just as rape or domestic violence was not either. It happened, but people did not want to know. [caption id="attachment_1695" align="alignright" width="150"] April loved pink[/caption] Now it is very different. 30 years ago the April Jones case would have been reported as the abduction and murder of a young girl, of course, but the details given out about how she died and Mark Bridger’s paedophilia probably would have been minimal. The public wants, now, to know the truth about the desecration of the innocent, and it refuses to condone brutality in any form whether it is terrorism or child abduction and murder. It wants discovery and justice, but not in a ghoulish way these days, which is why the judgment on Mark Bridger yesterday was met with acceptance and dignity by the small Welsh town which had been home to April, not anger nor celebration. I hope the restraint shown by her family and community extends to wherever the interest in her murder continues. Perhaps, at last, we are becoming a kinder society seeking a fairer world in a climate of transparency and truth. April Jones has helped us see this, and we have much to thank her for while we grieve, still, for her loss and for those who loved her.    Claire Montanaro is a spiritual teacher, channel and blogger. Loves nature and wildlife. Author of Spiritual Wisdom.  ]]>