A Courageous Revelation : School Board Member Backs Up Concerns Over Sex Crime With Her Own Experience

Glendale school board member Lynda Rocamora could have taken the easy way out. She could have simply called for the creation of a network of trained volunteers who would assist and advise victims of sex crimes. She didn’t have to go public with a reason for her interest when she recently broached the subject with the Glendale City Council.

Instead, Rocamora took a very frightening and courageous step. She decided to buttress her remarks and her call to arms on behalf of abuse victims with candid revelations. She dared to speak in public about the fact that she had been abused as a young girl, and raped as a young woman. It was a courageous step.

To some, spilling the beans about one’s own life falls into the category of more-than-we-want-to-know about our public officials. Still others see it as a sheer attention-getter and as brazen self-aggrandizement, a sure way to make the evening news or the local newspaper. We have no doubt that some of these confessions are sometimes uttered with such ulterior motives in mind. But this isn’t always the case, and we don’t believe that Rocamora had such intentions.

It’s said that the best writing comes from personal experience. Perhaps the best pleas for public programs originate there, too. We just know that Rocamora significantly raised the level of attention in the room when she spoke out so strongly about her own experiences.

Rocamora called for the kind of support that would begin immediately after the crime and continue on through the police interviews, medical exams and adjudication in court. It makes sense. The expense also might be minimal, with just one paid administrator working with volunteers on call.

We’re pleased that Glendale Police Chief James Anthony, City Manager David Ramsey and community leaders are interested in discussing Rocamora’s plans. Maybe that had something to do with the way she addressed the City Council.