How can a father be so cruel?

Dear globalcounselor,

I am 15 years old. My parents are Austrian background but lived in America for many years. I was born in America.  When I listened to the news about what happened to that lady, I cried so much. I felt so sad. Why did her dad do that? How do I know if my dad is going to kidnap me one day? Do you know many fathers like this?  I love my dad and I know he loves me and want me to be happy. My dad tells me to go to school and become a doctor so that I can help the sick people in poor countries. My dad is also a doctor. I am so confused why a father will do that to his daughter  and be so cruel and mean to her. He kept her down in a cellar for 24 years. I don’t know why I keep thinking of this and keep crying.

Crying girl

Dear Crying girl:

You are not alone. We all are crying for the 19 year old girl who was kidnapped 24 years ago by her father. This is the highest betrayal of trust. It does not get worse than this. Parents are supposed to take care, to protect and to love their children unconditionally but this is a case outside of the norm.

  I just want to assure you that most parents are good and live by the rules of nature and the land.  We raise our children  and hope that they will go on to be good citizens in the future. We do not lock up our children and raped them.

    I am sure your father is one of those good parents.  I am sure he will not put you through what 19 year old Elisabeth has gone through. 

   Unfortunately these days, through modern technology we live in our neighbours backyards. We see everything good and bad on the TV and the internet.  Incidents like this case are hard for adults let alone a child. It’s okay to cry. I encourage you to share your feelings with your parents or a school counsellor.  I am sure after a few days you will feel better.

Do not associate what the Austrian father did with all Austrian people. That would be stereotyping. People like this man are all over the world. I have no explanation why these things happen but they do from time to time. These people I call evil and I do not mean to judge them but as human beings we are not perfect and some people for whatever reason are so twisted in their minds from reality that they commit these horrendous crimes and they themselves cannot explain what drove them to do it.  That to me is evil in action. Again these are the exceptions rather than the rule.

    Having said that we have to all listen to our inner voice. It speaks to us and when we feel there is danger, when we feel something is just not right, chances are it is not and we must act accordingly. 

Don’t worry , my child, after a few days you feel better. Thanks for sharing.