You’re probably familiar with the old college tradition of drawing on the guy who passes out after a party with their shoes on. Usually, this is all in good fun…but there is nothing fun or funny about a phallic image drawn on an innocent sleeping baby. Instagram user ‘jwmunson’ clearly intended for this to be a joke, stating, “I so hope that this becomes a thing.” Unfortunately, ‘jwmunson,’ this is already a thing…and it is not funny at all.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 14 percent of all sexual assault happens to children under the age of 5. This means that in a kindergarten classroom of twenty-five children, as many as 4 (or more) have likely experienced some kind of assault. This statistic is sickening, and one can only imagine the depth of terror and the physical and psychological effects this trauma can inflict on such a young child. This is not a laughing matter, nor is it something to turn into a joke, post on Instagram or forward to your friends.
All children need to be protected, and all adults need to be informed. That is why we at Lauren’s Kids felt the need to make this photo a topic of discussion and a point of contention. Child sexual abuse is no laughing matter, and this “harmless” joke runs much deeper than ‘jwmunson’ likely intended.
What do you think about this Instagram post? Comment below and let us know.
