The Dispatcher-Small Town

[dhaupt]

One more thought for week one, the possibility that this has all gone on under the noses of this community, that everyone including Henry just carries on as if he hasn't destroyed more than one family and ended lives even indirectly by his actions.

I live in a small town and it got me to thinking, is it possible

Think about in the community or neighborhood where you live, could it happen there too

What are your thoughts on the matter

[Catherine111]

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dhaupt wrote:

One more thought for week one, the possibility that this has all gone on under the noses of this community, that everyone including Henry just carries on as if he hasn't destroyed more than one family and ended lives even indirectly by his actions.

I live in a small town and it got me to thinking, is it possible

Think about in the community or neighborhood where you live, could it happen there too

What are your thoughts on the matter

---

It can definitely happen in any community and in fact has happened in varying degrees.  There was a story about 10 years ago (not in my community but close to it)  where a teenage boy was abused and starved to death by his mother and stepfather.  The other children in the family were witnesses and were not the subject of the abuse.  The boy was taken out of school and the abuse continued.  There were red flags, but people ignored them or didn't see them.  The other children probably didn't notify authorities due to fear or a warped sense of morality caused by the parents.  That is why The Dispatcher is more than disturbing. 

[dhaupt]

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Catherine111 wrote:

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dhaupt wrote:

One more thought for week one, the possibility that this has all gone on under the noses of this community, that everyone including Henry just carries on as if he hasn't destroyed more than one family and ended lives even indirectly by his actions.

I live in a small town and it got me to thinking, is it possible

Think about in the community or neighborhood where you live, could it happen there too

What are your thoughts on the matter

---

It can definitely happen in any community and in fact has happened in varying degrees.  There was a story about 10 years ago (not in my community but close to it)  where a teenage boy was abused and starved to death by his mother and stepfather.  The other children in the family were witnesses and were not the subject of the abuse.  The boy was taken out of school and the abuse continued.  There were red flags, but people ignored them or didn't see them.  The other children probably didn't notify authorities due to fear or a warped sense of morality caused by the parents.  That is why The Dispatcher is more than disturbing. 

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Thanks Catherine, it's a scary world when we do or notice nothing, but it's also scary to get involved knowing it could be you in the hot seat for a wrong telling.

Crazy world

[Catherine111]

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dhaupt wrote:

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Catherine111 wrote:

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dhaupt wrote:

One more thought for week one, the possibility that this has all gone on under the noses of this community, that everyone including Henry just carries on as if he hasn't destroyed more than one family and ended lives even indirectly by his actions.

I live in a small town and it got me to thinking, is it possible

Think about in the community or neighborhood where you live, could it happen there too

What are your thoughts on the matter

---

It can definitely happen in any community and in fact has happened in varying degrees.  There was a story about 10 years ago (not in my community but close to it)  where a teenage boy was abused and starved to death by his mother and stepfather.  The other children in the family were witnesses and were not the subject of the abuse.  The boy was taken out of school and the abuse continued.  There were red flags, but people ignored them or didn't see them.  The other children probably didn't notify authorities due to fear or a warped sense of morality caused by the parents.  That is why The Dispatcher is more than disturbing. 

---

Thanks Catherine, it's a scary world when we do or notice nothing, but it's also scary to get involved knowing it could be you in the hot seat for a wrong telling.

Crazy world

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Yes.  There is a flip side to this too --- being falsely accused.  Richard Jewell comes to mind.  Then there is David Kaczynski who did the right thing and turned in his brother.  I was thinking about that too while I was reading The Dispatcher. 

[ryandavidjahn]

While I was writing the first draft, I was very aware of the Jaycee Dugard story, which was still recent news at the time. It only confirmed for me that these things can and do happen under the noses of people who perhaps should see what's happening, or at least that something is happening.

It's all too sad when we see the reality of it.