Mackenzie Phillips and Oprah Winfrey: Two Courageous Survivors of Rape and Incest

My jaw dropped and my eyes watered as I listened to the news reports about Mackenzie Phillips father having sex with her. Although, I missed the Oprah show, which aired Wednesday the 23^rd of September, I did catch a late night re-run. I believe Mackenzie, and respect her for having the courage to speak out.

Oprah Winfrey and Mackenzie Phillips are two courageous women, in my opinion. Survivors of rape and incest that share their stories to help others deserve respect and admiration. Only those who have experienced this type of abuse can truly understand how much it took for both of these women to open up, speak out, and discuss the details of their horrific stories.

However, what is very disturbing about this whole story, to me, is the stepmothers comment. It is people with attitudes like that of Genevieve Waite that these sick selfish child sex offender's count on; in the event they are confronted these people will believe them over the victim. How dare someone defend a child rapist because they don't believe "they are or were capable" of such behavior; judging a serious offense like sexual child abuse on mere "beliefs" is cruel.

Reading statements made by Mackenzie Phillips' stepmother, Genevieve Waite, makes my blood boil. You can read a report by Eric Ditizian on mtv.com which quotes Genevieve Waite saying, "[John Phillips] He was incapable, no matter how drunk or drugged he was, of having such a relationship with his own child." Incapable? Does this woman have any idea of what she is saying?

In a recent article I wrote, prior to hearing about or viewing the Oprah show with Mackenzie telling her story, titled Family Sex Offenders: They Prey on Your Small Child or Troubled Teen, I stated a fact which this woman's statement proves. "The parent finds it hard to believe that their trusted friend or family member could do such a thing." Don't read my article unless you are ready for some cold hard facts, if you do read it then share it to help create awareness about an extremely important subject.

I believe that Mackenzie Phillips will help a lot of other victims. There is a lot of speculation as to why she wrote her book and why she is telling her story on Oprah, but many do believe her. Why did Oprah Winfrey tell her story? In my opinion, people who share personal experiences do it to release and free themselves, to enlighten and educate others, and to help others who may be suffering from the same circumstances.

Oprah's story told other victims: You're not alone. You are not dirty. You are the victim. You have no reason to feel guilty or ashamed. It is not your fault that this happened to you.

Mackenzie's story reveals a lot of familie's secrets, for years incest has been happening in families and swept under the rug; or used in jokes. Polygamist is a fancy name for child sex offender, in my opinion, which is rape and sexual abuse when children are involved. Do you honestly think that Mackenzie Phillips' father is the first man that has had sex with his daughter or daughters?

This is a serious problem and it needs to be addressed so that these pedophiles, child sex offenders, can be stopped. Just because a teenager has a drug or alcohol problem, as in the case of Mackenzie Phillips, doesn't make rape, incest, or child sex offenses right or legal.

Do you know what statutory rape is? Sex with a child is statutory rape regardless of whether or not the child or teen gave consent. It is a crime! Personally, I think the laws should be stricter and the punishment harsher. When society stops being silent and pretending that things like this never happen; or believing that these type of sex offenders are "incapable" of such acts, perhaps change will begin. We need to protect our children regardless of who the sex offender is, and what kind of person we "perceive" them to be. Good people do bad things all the time.