More On DIM Thinking For U*Us To Consider. . .
The acronym DIM Thinking is copyright of clergy sexual misconduct crusader Dee Miller. DIM Thinking is an insidious synthesis of Denial, Ignorance and Minimization that Dee Miller defines as: "the conscious or unconscious collaboration of two or more individuals to protect those engaged in unethical practices." Dee Miller's web site about DIM Thinking complicity and collusion in clergy misconduct may be viewed here. Dee Miller agrees with my assessment that the term DIM Thinking has a much broader application than just clergy sexual abuse cases, as should be clear from her own broad definition provided above. . . and that it is perfectly justifiable for The Emerson Avenger to use it to describe the deep Denial, obstinate willful Ignorance and cynical Minimization that Montreal Unitarians, the UUA's Ministerial Fellowship Committee, and many other DIM Thinking U*Us engage in, in their negligent and complicit response to non-sexual clergy misconduct as well, such as the verbally and psychologically abusive clergy misconduct of Rev. Ray Drennan.
Some of the most important truths needed by truth-telling survivors are:
1) ABUSE IS A COMMUNITY PROBLEM.
This means that every adult in a specific community or institution has an obligation to help maintain safety. If persons of rank (e.g. parents in families, administrators in schools, clergy in churches) are not doing their jobs, the lower ranking adults (e.g. other relatives, teachers, parents and laity) must speak out.
2) SECRECY AND FEAR ARE THE PROTECTORS OF THE PERPETRATORS.
When others consistently support survivors by speaking out and standing firm against abuse, we will see change.
3) WHILE IT IS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT TO “BLAME THE VICTIM,” A LOT OF FOLKS DO.
It shows up in attitudes and actions, as well as words.
4) JUSTICE IS SELDOM ACHIEVED, either in or out of the courts, in 1995.
We have a long way to go before we can add this to our list of realistic expectations.
5) ROLE-REVERSAL THINKING IS STILL THE NORM.
It treats the perpetrator as the victim and the victim as the perpetrator.
6) THE MEDIA GIVES US JUST THE HEADLINES.
The world remains largely ignorant of the hidden suffering victims endure.
Most of that suffering is brought on by people afraid of the truth.
Some of the most important truths needed by truth-telling survivors are:
1) ABUSE IS A COMMUNITY PROBLEM.
This means that every adult in a specific community or institution has an obligation to help maintain safety. If persons of rank (e.g. parents in families, administrators in schools, clergy in churches) are not doing their jobs, the lower ranking adults (e.g. other relatives, teachers, parents and laity) must speak out.
2) SECRECY AND FEAR ARE THE PROTECTORS OF THE PERPETRATORS.
When others consistently support survivors by speaking out and standing firm against abuse, we will see change.
3) WHILE IT IS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT TO “BLAME THE VICTIM,” A LOT OF FOLKS DO.
It shows up in attitudes and actions, as well as words.
4) JUSTICE IS SELDOM ACHIEVED, either in or out of the courts, in 1995.
We have a long way to go before we can add this to our list of realistic expectations.
5) ROLE-REVERSAL THINKING IS STILL THE NORM.
It treats the perpetrator as the victim and the victim as the perpetrator.
6) THE MEDIA GIVES US JUST THE HEADLINES.
The world remains largely ignorant of the hidden suffering victims endure.
Most of that suffering is brought on by people afraid of the truth.
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