Children Quote by Susan Forward
““When I first began working in this area, I was startled to learn that while people who were physically abused by their fathers or father-figures were angry at their abusers, they were often far angrier at their mothers for not protecting them and for allowing the abuse to continue. They saw themselves as sacrificial lambs, and their mothers as passive, weak, and unwilling to take a stand against the abuser on their children's behalf. Many women in such situations comfort themselves by saying, "I didn't do anything, so how can I be guilty?" However, when a woman stands by or looks the other way when her children are being brutalized, she becomes a silent partner in the abusive behavior. Her children come to view her as an accomplice to the crime being committed against them. Any physical violence against children is a crime.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Courage to Heal” by Susan Forward, 1995
She describes how abused children may resent mothers for not protecting them, making mothers complicit in abuse.
In simple terms: Children can blame mothers for not stopping abuse, implicating them.
Key Takeaway
Address maternal accountability while supporting victims.
Themes
family dynamics
abuse
blame
accountability
psychology
Mood
somber
urgent
Type
educational
cautionary
When to use this quote
- counseling
- family therapy
- support groups
- legal advocacy
Key Concepts
intergenerational trauma
protective parenting
Questions to Reflect On
- How can families break cycles of abuse?
- What support helps mothers protect children?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep‑rooted family patterns is difficult.
