Why We Must Demand Better for Our Community
It is disheartening to witness a pattern of deeply concerning issues that have been cropping up in several facilities across the country. First, it was Orlando where consent violations and deceptive practices were so rampant that the facility was ultimately sold off. Then, we saw Michigan, and now, Wisconsin is under fire for similar offenses. What do all of these incidents have in common? A failure of integrity, and staff who have, time and time again, turned a blind eye to the abusive behavior happening under their roof.
When owners stand behind such egregious actions, it is no wonder that abusers feel emboldened and protected. How else can we explain the ongoing consent violations, sexual battery, and now even the potential for spreading disease through unsanitary practices. Like using dirty, bloodied tools without anyone being aware?
These aren't just isolated incidents. This is a pattern. And as a community, it is crucial that we step up and demand better. We pride ourselves on being a supportive, transparent community. One that values honesty, consent, and most importantly, integrity. But how can we continue to uphold those core values if we allow these types of practices to persist?
The truth is, the behavior we've seen in these facilities isn’t just unacceptable. It is a betrayal of everything we stand for. No one should ever feel unsafe or exploited in a space that's supposed to be about mutual respect and support. The lack of accountability from the top down is staggering. When ownership and leadership fail to protect their patrons, it is not just a failure of management, it is a failure of character.
This is not something we can, or should, ignore. We need to come together as a community and take action. It is time to demand change. Boycott these places until they are sold into new ownership who will implement real, effective plans for safety. Plans that go beyond surface level policies and are actually enforced. The people responsible for covering up abuse need to be held accountable, and those who condone such behavior need to be removed from positions of power.
As members of this community, we must stand up for the values we claim to uphold. If these businesses cannot meet those standards, they should not have a place in our world. It is time for us to take a stand, to ensure that these kinds of abuses don’t continue, and to demand better from those who are supposed to be setting an example. We deserve better, and more importantly, those who are suffering in silence deserve better.
Let us stand together. Let’s demand transparency, integrity, and safety. Let’s make sure these places are no longer welcome in our community unless they can prove they are committed to genuine change. We owe it to ourselves, and to the countless others who have been affected by this behavior, to stand up and demand better. It is time for a real shift. Let’s make it happen.