Small Town Monsters - Mike Nelson - Bog

Child abuse is never an acceptable thing in a civilized society, but sometimes social mores in certain localities are more accepting of deviant behavior, especially in more rural communities. Identification of abuse in small towns is often more difficult because in close-knit communities people don't want to 'cause problems' with the 'neighbors' even if they suspect improper things are going on. Thankfully, our nation's laws are becoming much stricter in that regard, especially where law enforcement is concerned. Officials are being held to higher standards when it comes to reporting and prosecuting reported cases. What happens, though, when extreme social pressure from wealthy or politically powerful individuals in a small town gets involved in the mix? Is there a remedy for the victims? Can a social or political norm be toppled; or do the victims and/or their families simply have to live with the situation or remove themselves from it altogether by moving away?