by Emijah Smith
I am a mother who loves my children. As a parent, it’s my responsibility to protect the safety of my family and keep them from harm.
I am a survivor. Seven years ago, my family’s safety was in jeopardy. Dangerous adults violated and disregarded a protection order when they came to my home with ill-intent to harm us. This incident was one in a long, traumatic series in which members of my family experienced violence and threats of violence. My entire family was harassed and our physical safety was threatened prior to and after the incident recently reported. I protected my family to the best of my ability. However reporting by The Seattle Times and particularly KUOW have represented this experience in ways that are an attack on my character and victim-blaming.
