How to stop the abuse?

I was reading the internet news last night and then picked up the paper this morning and the first thing that I read is about the polygamist compound that was raided in Texas a few days ago.  The article I read last night stated that 416 children were removed, but many were girls that are pregnant.  The article went on to state that 139 women left of their own volition.

Those numbers horrify me deep down to my soul.  The thought that a few people can exert so much power over one person is scary.  But to exert the kind of power that warps a child's way of living and thinking is far scarier.

The abuse of women and children must stop.  I know, I know, easier said than done, but people must make the committment within themselves before anything can ever be done.

I may be one woman, but it is one more person fighting this war than there was yesterday.  I read on Sunday that our Secretary of State Rice recently attended a summit to combat violence against women.  I was pleased to hear that representatives from 17 different nations also appeared.  Now when you look at the numbers, 17 nations out of however many there are in the world (hundreds I would assume) doesn't sound like much, but it's a start, and it was the first summit.

Who will stand and fight for those who have lost their voice?