The face of evil

I watched the four-part documentary on Ted Bundy this weekend on Netflix. I found it disturbing and confusing. I remember well when the Bundy case was originally in the news and the fascination the country had about the handsome, articulate and intelligent serial killer.

I can remember hearing people debate Bundy's innocence or guilt. Many thought he couldn't be a murderer because he didn't look like a killer. I can remember thinking at the time how weird it was to hear adults talking about how someone looked in regards to what they were capable of.

Bundy confessed to killing 30 young women. He also confessed to doing unspeakable things with the bodies after their death. His outward appearance only helped him facilitate the crimes he committed.

What is fascinating is the number of women who came to Bundy's trials and were basically his "fans." Carole-Ann Boone legally married Bundy in 1980 while he stood trial for the murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach.

Since the new documentary has aired on Netflix, scores of young women have commented on social media about how attractive Bundy was and how charming he seemed. A new generation has been exposed to the face of evil that was Ted Bundy.

I've known in my time many women who are attracted to the "bad boys" but to think you could change or fix a serial killer is a little extreme. This type of thinking is dangerous.

Sadly, this kind of thing is very common in Arkansas. One in four women in Arkansas will be the victim of abuse at some point in their lives. Many of these ladies are in relationships where they think they can do something to "fix" their abuser. They can't.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 to 44. As a man with two daughters I am alarmed by this statistic. We have to let our daughters know that if someone is abusing them it is not okay. They do not "deserve it". The problem rests with the abuser not the abused.

Violence against women cannot be allowed to continue in the shadows. It is not "a family matter." It is everyone's business. Women who leave their batterers are at a 75 percent greater risk of being killed than those who stay. So it takes courage to get out of that situation but it also takes help and vigilance.

If you or someone you know is being abused get help. Get the authorities involved. Reach out to local support groups and shelters. You are not alone and there is a way out of the darkness.

Ted Bundy relied on the kindness of his victims in order to murder them. Don't let your own kindness, sense of obligation or love keep you in an abusive situation. You deserve better.