I realized that as a idealistic Boy Scout patriotic DoD brat kid, and even as an adult, I felt betrayed and angry because that’s not how the system’s supposed to work, BUT knowing the system works that way IS what emboldens the bullies and trolls. Maybe some of them would start shit if they weren’t sure, but part of what makes for safe targets is the teachers/principals/police/judges/media WON’T side with the targets.
This supported by how you can SEE the bullies trying to reframe the narrative to ensure authorities side with them, f’rex the “groomer” thing, drag being about sex, “pro life,” etc. Why the enemy has to have their own “news” station on top of all the other media they’re working with.
I really wasn’t expecting to figure out childhood in reverse that way.