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The VCPA as predator

I have coached young high school students for more than 30 years and have experienced the joy of watching these athletes grow into fine young adults, but not without struggles. The schools where I have coached have been in predominately low-income areas and many of the students struggle with a multitude of issues that make them more vulnerable to abuse. One of those issues is gender identity. I do not fully understand what these students are going through, but I can see the pain and anguish they experience trying to resolve this struggle and their feelings of being hopeless and alone.

I am also a federal law enforcement officer of almost 30 years. Throughout my service, I dealt with innumerable cases of sex trafficking and pornography where children- especially teenagers — were vulnerable victims of predators. Frequently, these children were experiencing gender identity issues. They felt isolated, confused, and desperate, unable on their own to resolve their conflict in a positive way due, in part, to the ignorance of the people around them — people who should be a part of their support system.

 I am also the uncle of a fine young man who has struggled for years with gender identity issues. I imagine his experiences are similar to the young persons I spoke of above. Many of them are searching for answers and a way to relieve the pain and anguish they experience. They are more susceptible to turning to substance misuse, in part to relieve their feelings of isolated and uncared for. Unfortunately, it is this innocent vulnerability that puts them at greater risk from society’s lowest form of predators. Thankfully for my nephew, he has a mother and father who overcame their own struggles with his gender identity to support him in becoming the man that he always knew himself to be. He is a positive and productive member of society who has been able to live into his own identity.

The VCPA is nothing more than another predator preying on the fears and ignorance of society. We need to offer more, not fewer, avenues of assistance to young people exploring their gender identity. What we need are laws to stop criminals from victimizing society, not laws that criminalize medical professionals for caring for those victimized.

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