In High Profile Cast that Sparked the ‘MeToo’ Movement
Harvey Weinstein was charged with 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault, vindicating many who dreaded their side of the story would not be believed or that some backroom deal might be struck to thwart justice.
For the 67-year-old Weinstein, this could amount to a life sentence for the former film producer.
But rather than focus on the perpetrator, we’ll going to look at the victims. What’s next for the victims accosted? Will they be able to movie on or will they live a life still haunted by the shadow of their abuser?
Helping us answer these questions is Kim Casey Cobb, author of “Stuck -A Way Out, who was once a victim herself, having been kidnapped who was one of the first children with the dubious distinction of having her picture printed on the side of milk cartons.
Welcome Kim.
Q&A:
- What sort of vindication will Harvey Weinstein’s victims likely experience now that they saw some sort of justice served?
- How can the Weinstein victims truly move on, if ever?
- With the advent of the MeToo Movement, victimhood culture is on the rise, leading some who have not experience anything close to the trauma of the Weinstein victims, yet falling into the trap of blaming others for their problems and our society encourages it. What does it take to overcome the hurts, tragedies, or the difficult circumstances in which we find ourselves?
- Your book, “Stuck -A Way Out,” offers key steps to rise above unfortunate life circumstances, throw out the victim mentality, about moving from bitter to better, and living a successful and happy life.
- Tell us what it was like to be one of the first kids featured on a milk carton, missing entire school years growing up, while kidnapped. Do you blame others for your past circumstances?
A: It is simply too costly to spend time lamenting the past, blaming others, and wishing for what might have been. While certain things were out of my control, I channeled my efforts into working on the future rather than being angry about the past. Blaming others and drowning in self pity is a trap that will rob a person of moving forward to a brighter, happier place. I also happen to have learned a great deal from examining my past and family with from a researcher or historian type of outlook. I’m not certain how I would have learned some of the things about human nature, myself, and my family had I not had this live case to study.
6) How has your past positively impacted the person you are today?
A: My past serves to keep me grounded. I remember where I once was and when I once dreamed of the having things that I actually have today. The past and my story help me remain humble and prevent a sense of pride from setting in. At the same time, I am a walking talking example of what’s possible if a person puts their mind to it. I am able to identify with people from various walks of life due to the many different facets in my story. It’s also taught me that it’s worth it to put up a fight for certain things and our lives and futures are definitely some of those things we should fight for and not become complacent or accepting of the status quo. Another thing that has developed over time in me is a deep desire to stand up for other people, not to enable them, but to help open their eyes to what is actually possible if they choose to be accountable for their own lives. I am very passionate about helping people see and achieve their own potential.
Ultimately, my life has taught me to have tremendous faith. While God is in control, He can’t do much with a ship that won’t put their sails up.
I don’t want to repeat certain aspects of my past, but if offered the chance to re write history I would not take it. What happened to me has served to make me who I am, and I am happy with the person I am and the life I have today.
7) What is one thing you would tell a person who feels “stuck” today?
A: While it may or may not be your fault that you find yourself where you are today, one thing is certain: It is going to be your fault if you remain in the present set of circumstances that you find yourself in. Everyone’s situation is different, but today can be rock bottom if you mentally decide for it to be. Tomorrow can be the first step forward. There is a conscious choice that you can make to move forward mentally that will lead to stepping out of your situation. The very first step is to stop telling yourself “I can’t.”
8) Tell us more about your book “Stuck – A Way Out”:
A: It has been a labor of love for almost 20 years. It is part self help, part memoir. I use my own dramatic story to back up the process that I outline in the book to begin moving out of any set of circumstances in life that a person finds themselves in and would like to change. Every situation is different, but there is something most people can use in the book. I was abducted by my non custodial father when I was 9 years old during my parent’s bitter divorce. We lived on the run with our father as fugitives and became official FBI missing persons. We were one of the first kids featured on milk cartons. While she never stopped trying, our mother was never able to locate us. We lived under assumed identities and moved many, many times each year. At times we missed entire school years, creating a deficit in some of my basic education. When I was a teenager, I realized that my father was never going to let me leave and have my life. For example, I learned when I was 15 that he was not going to allow me to go to college because I would have to assume my birth identity, and if I was identified then he would likely be found. I then started making plans to take things into my own hands and I ran away a couple of months before my 17th birthday. I sought out and was reunited with my mother when I was 18, nine years after our abduction. I do not see myself as a victim- rather that what happened to me wasn’t my fault but it was my fault if I allowed myself to remain in that set of circumstances once my eyes had been opened. While a hard battle, I went on to achieve a healthy life by constantly seeking knowledge and wisdom about what had happened to me and how my childhood and family affected the situations I allowed myself to get into as a young adult. While my story is dramatic, the steps in the book can be used to apply to many situations we find ourselves “stuck” in.
9): Where may we get a copy of your book?
A: Stuck is available through Amazon.com or in stores at Barnes and Noble.
ABOUT KIM CASEY COBB AND HER BOOK “STUCK”…
In her first book, “Stuck – A Way Out,” Kim offers tough yet encouraging
advice to help break down mental barriers holding you back from achieving
what is truly possible in your life.
Kim shares moments from her own dramatic story. She shows how she
overcame parental abduction, was a missing child and was one of the first
kids on a milk carton. But she went on to achieve health, happiness, and
success in her life.
This book offers a realistic, step-by-step process to overcome adversity,
obstacles, challenges, and moves on to show you how to create a vision for
yourself, set goals, and achieve your potential, no matter where you started
or where you find yourself now.
It will evoke a positive “can do” mentality and inspire people to
continuously grow and improve their lives for the better so that they can
ultimately be of help to others facing challenges in life.
Among the many benefits you’ll reap from reading this book you’ll learn:
· The things in your life that you are actually in control of and their benefit to you.
· How to stop believing lies about yourself
· How to stop making excuses
· How to stop allowing others to hold you back
· How to move forward towards your vision
