Parents have to put their children’s well-being before minor ‘inconveniences’

I was disappointed to learn of the parents’ initial response to a former track-and-field athlete when she wanted to make a police report against her coach for outrage of modesty. (“Teen accuses athletics coach of molest, dad tells her to forgive coach and ‘move on’”, Jan 22).

It was reported that her mum told her there would be inconveniences such as being called up by the police to assist in investigations and having to miss lessons and work. Her father even told her to “forgive” the coach.

It seems that people sometimes go too far in fearing to “rock the boat”. Maintaining harmony and stability is often prioritised over individual well-being.

I personally feel that if those who are closest to you and who are meant to look out for your interests do not stand by you, it is easy to give up and be pressured to remain silent.

It takes a lot of determination and conviction to speak up about such matters, and I applaud those who have stepped forward to talk about what they have gone through.

We have read more than our fair share of cases where those who have kept silent about abuses have ended up developing self-destructive behaviours or even suicidal tendencies. These consequences far outweigh having to skip school or work occasionally to address the problems.

I hope that parents can re-assess their priorities and put their child’s wellbeing first over minor “inconveniences”. No child deserves to go through such a situation.