The documentary Leaving Neverland was initially interesting due a number of factors ; the accused’s extraordinary life, the fact he is now deceased, and the monetary value of the Estate left behind.
For Die Hard Michael Jackson fans, it is always going to be difficult for them to believe that their hero was anything other than a troubled man who lacked a normal childhood and enjoyed the company of young children.
For others, ( especially in light of the Jimmy Savile revelations and project Yewtree , historical child sex abuse in UK) it was a sad reflection of naivety, seduction by power and a story of grooming.
Jimmy Safechuck, was believable with his more quiet demeanour and anxious body language. However, Wade Robson somehow lacked the the qualities that the public required to make him socially credible in his testimony. Could this be because of his Australian upbringing and the more macho stance he takes? Or even his successful career?
Victims of child abuse are just that ,victims. And as the accused is no longer with us, there will never be the trial and the certainly of guilt or innocence. But what really makes this documentary interesting is the parallels between Jackson and Savile.
Both men were know for their charity work and strange behaviour whilst alive. However, in death, Savile is the man that most would have no problems in condemning. Is that because most of his victims were female?
In a macho society, it is still the last tabo. A man owning up to keeping quiet about being abused. Society demands and want answers, we want to know why? And why now?
Unless a person has experienced childhood trauma, it is very difficult for them to understand how deep it is necessary to hide the damage done by abuse in order to function. Some are able to hide and deny it for many decades. Some never speak of it at all. But a trigger, like for example the birth of your own child, can require self examination that may cause a deeper introspection - the desire to protect the new child from experiencing such a painful experience.
And so for the judgmental public to cry why now., shows just how far society needs to evolve to understand the complex emotions of childhood trauma.
