A culture of abuse is somewhat like alcoholism and being an alcoholic. Until one sees the consequences of what is going on and decides to get proper help, the problem doesn't go away. Very few alcoholics can turn their lives around by themselves, they need to stop and reach out from the bottom then take the first few shakey steps.
Any organisation with a culture of abuse is in a similar situation, though a lot more complicated. The whole culture needs to be looked at and overhauled. Yes rules, regulations and guidelines are neccessary for the running of any successful organisation, but if it goes beyond that to a point of total control of mind, body and soul with retribution for non-compliance, then the environment is set up for abuse to take place and those who have their own vested interests to exploit the naive and vulnerable.
Just like living with an alcoholic, the consequences can be devastating. Families split and resources are spent trying to fix the problem or sorting out the consequences of the problem. The problem becomes intergenerational and often the behaviour is repeated in the next generation and the next.
And alas sometimes there comes a point of no return for an alcoholic, when even though they desperately want to change, have even stopped drinking, the damage is that great that they will die because of the toll it has taken on their body. This also applies in the organisational situation, sometimes the consequences of the past are that bad, that all the repentence and policy changes are not enough to overcome the legacy of the past. Who knows where that point is, or if it has been passed.
MKsafetyNet, Fanda Eagles e.t.c. are meeting places for victims to heal and share. Places to meet, cry, laugh and share. They may even ease the memories of the past, but rarely erase them. The Abusers Anonymous Meeting is down the road and for it to be even the slightest bit successful, just like an alcoholic nothing happens until one turns up and takes a seat in the circle and looks deep within.
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