As you can see, my name is Nisorin. I am, unofficially, the 'head admin' of this site due to my ability to keep the staff relatively on track during staff group chats. I would like to clear up a few misconceptions regarding the situation around Gaserlake.
First, while we have expressed vast displeasure with the adults spoken about on this board, that does not, in any way, show a disrespect for adults in general, nor does it show a disrespect for law enforcement personnel. From the information we have access to, we have no choice but to believe that you are blind to what Gaserlake wishes and deaf to what he has told you. You have made, thus far, little to no effort to work with us in clearing this up, which only serves to lend further credence to this belief. Judging from what we have heard alone, you do not even seem to respect him as a person, and while he may be a minor still such an act is not acceptable, regardless of your relationship with him. Again, if you wish to clear this misunderstanding, please register an account here on the board and reply to this post.
As for disrespect of law enforcement, I believe there would only be one person on this board who would honestly insult the policemen who work quite hard to keep us all safe, and even she, I believe, respects them for the danger inherent in their work. If you are referring to our jokes regarding the cops and yourselves, it is how we cope with stress, with the sudden loss of a friend. False joviality, attempting to lighten a grim situation. Despite how mature some of us may act, we are still, undeniably, children. Even Hikaru and I, who are legally considered adults. I realize that may make me sound like a bit of a hypocrite to some of the other members here, due to my actions and words during staff chats and staff business, but it is without a shadow of a doubt truth, and I am proud to say that I have come through what I have while keeping some of the child still in me. Again, the so called disrespectful jokes were just that, joking attempts to lighten a dark time, however vain or temporary they may be.
I do not believe Gaserlake's problem lies, at the least solely, with us. From what I have heard, both from him and his closest friend Hikaru, he has been shown a rather horrifying lack of respect at home, amongst his family. While he may have some mental issues, and he may still be 'just a teenager,' he is still human and is thus entitled to the rights and respect any adult should be given, law permitting. While what I have heard may very well be an exaggeration, I do not doubt one bit that their words ring of truth.
Being a parent is hard, even with a partner to share the difficulties with, I understand that. I have watched more than one friend attempt to raise children. One was arrested for her poor choices, another is attempting to get divorced from an abusive husband who refuses to support their children financially. Raising a child is difficult even in the best of times, which these certainly are not. While I do not doubt that Gaserlake's mother is trying what she believes is best, that does not, in any way, mean that she has not abused her son. I cannot say for certain that she most definitely has, but I believe the current situation speaks for itself to those willing to listen with unbiased ears.
The only family of Gaserlake's so far that has shown even an attempt at understanding things from Gaserlake's point of view is his father. He has responded to Hikaru's email, thanking her for showing him her side of the story and even asking her outright to keep him updated. I have sent him a private message through this site, but he has not, as of the writing of this post, responded yet. I would like to thank him, here and now, for his attempt at understanding.
Gaserlake has expressed several times that he no longer feels safe in his mother's home. Now, as far as my knowledge of child-based law goes, because he is over the age of sixteen that declaration alone should be enough to get him transferred to a relative's home, usually the other parent in the case of a separation. I will admit right now that I do not believe Gaserlake moving to live with his father to be the best of solutions. It leaves 'bad blood' between him and his mother, something that will not go well for either of them. However, it is what Gaserlake wishes, and I believe that having him living away from his mother, at least for the duration of the abuse claims against her, may be a good idea under the current circumstances.
To close this off, I am always willing to accept calm, civil, respectful discussion regarding this issue. I do have a job to balance, but I am available to speak with regarding this otherwise. I realize that I may well be mistaken on more than one topic brought up in this post, and if so I would appreciate it if you would enlighten me regarding these matters. If possible, I would like to set up a discussion between myself, Gaserlake, his mother, and his father, in an Internet Relay Chatroom, where the discussion will be logged and moderated by an unbiased, outside party. If you are willing to agree to this, please let me know so that I may make the necessary arrangements.
I do hope we can get this settled as soon as possible. I truly do not like to sit here knowing that a friend is hurting so much when there is so very little I can do to ease his pain.
