Buildings are gone, but abuse must not be  forgotten

Earl Bradley’s Baybees Pediatrics offices are no more.

The end came quietly; the sounds of excavators demolishing the buildings was all but drowned out by the rush of cars on Route 1, many drivers honking their horns in support as they passed.

Watching were police officers and a long list of people from the Department of Justice, including Attorney General Beau Biden, lead prosecutor Paula Ryan and others who had been inside the buildings during the investigation of Bradley’s crimes. As the excavators crushed the buildings, their jaws brimming with stuffed animals, carousel ponies and theater seats, many seemed relieved that no one will ever again have to see the buildings where childhood was stolen from so many.

The trauma for parents and children runs deep; very few appeared at the demolition, and those who did struggled to find words for their grief. One woman who did appear, a survivor of a different abuser, said Bradley’s crimes had triggered old emotions, for herself and for other abuse survivors who had no connection to Bradley or his offices.

She said people who survive abuse, like those who survive war or other trauma, may get to a certain point in their recovery, but events such as Bradley’s arrest bring everything back.

The Cape Region came together to tear down these buildings so that those emotions won’t be triggered every time parent or child survivors and their supporters drive down Route 1.

Demolishing the buildings signifies Bradley can never again harm anyone. Clearing the site creates a new space, physically demonstrating life will go on for survivors and for the entire community.

Erasing the buildings symbolizes an end to Bradley’s crimes, yet as the survivor who attended today’s demolition warned, the demolition must not symbolize erasing the problem from our consciousness.

Bradley’s crimes have stopped, but the trauma remains, and other children in our community are undoubtedly still suffering abuse even if Bradley’s offices are no more.

Bradley’s crimes cannot be erased or buried. Survivors of his abuse and all victims of abuse are counting on our Cape Region community for continued vigilance and unwavering support.