TSA Pat-Downs: No One Touches My Children. No One.
Early Morning Pat-Down
I am defenseless, just waiting to get through the last checkpoint before my journey begins; at the mercy of the gate keeper and the dreaded pat-down. I bite my bottom lip, close my eyes and begin to pray.
It has begun.
His callused hand travels up my leg and toward my crotch, fluidly moving from one point to the next. Clearly he’s done this before. The coarse patches of skin on the palm of his hand snag the worn fibers of my jeans. Searing heat penetrates through layers of clothing, as he continues his search.
For something I don’t have.
His eyes search mine as his fiery palm ever-so-slowly makes its way toward my breasts. I can feel him looking at me. I can feel his eyes searching mine, but I refuse to return his gaze. I cannot look. I don’t want to look. Please God make him stop looking at me and make this whole thing come to an end because I can’t run and I can’t scream and I’m scared and why is this happening to me God why.
The weight of his hand on my breast now, the sheer force of him grabbing and groping and hurting me. Hurting me in places that had never been touched before. Places that were mine and mine alone.
God.help.me.please.
I’m only 17, just waiting for the bus to pull up and carry me off to school. Waiting in a locked car with the 70-year old man my parents trusted. The man that I trusted.
The man that stole my innocence.
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No One Touches My Children. No One.
I’m a sexual abuse survivor, a mother of 4 and a fearless lioness who will fight to the death for her cubs.
As mothers we’re naturally protective of our children. There’s nothing we won’t do to ensure their happiness, health and safety. A mother will sacrifice precious sleep to nurse a sick child throughout the night. Some mothers clean other people’s toilets in order to make ends meet. And believe it or not, some mothers allow TSA officials to conduct pat-downs on their children at airport security checkpoints across the country.
All in the name of safety.
The Transportation Security Administration’s website had the following to say in regards to pat-down procedures for children: “We have to screen everyone, regardless of age (even babies), before they can go through the security checkpoint. We will not ask you to do anything that will separate you from your child or children. We specially train our Security Officers and they understand your concern for your children. They will approach your children gently and treat them with respect. If your child becomes uncomfortable or upset, security officers will consult you about the best way to relieve your child’s concern.”
Folks, nothing about the pat-down conducted on the poor child in this video seems gentle or respectful. Her screams are clearly a sign of extreme discomfort and she is visibly upset. Yet the pat-down must go on.
All in the name of safety.
Our children’s voices are just as strong, just as powerful and worthy of being heard. They have the right to stand up and say “stop touching me”. Who are we to take that away? Who are we to subject them to such an invasion of their personal space? And what message are we sending our children if we allow them to be patted-down against their will?
I’ll begrudgingly submit to as many pat-downs as necessary, but when it comes to my children…well, that’s a different story.
No one touches my children. No one.
*Let’s Talk: The TSA pat-down policy affects us all, our children included. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Leave a comment here on my blog or get in on the discussion in my Blog Frog Community.
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