Girl must alert her family to brother’s sexual assault

My brother is in a long-term relationship. Throughout my teenage years, he sexually assaulted me several times. The emotional and physical abuse has left my life broken. Should I tell his girlfriend about it? I did confront him about it, but he just denied it. Wouldn’t she want to know?

Yes, you should tell his girlfriend about it! You should also tell every one of your relatives. Where were your parents when this was going on?

Although it may be too late for the police to haul your brother off to prison, you should absolutely talk to a rape crisis counselor about what he did to you. To locate a resource near you, contact R.A.I.N.N. (rainn.org), the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. It may be able to help you put your life in order. Its toll-free phone number is 1-800-656-4673.

Would you please remind your readers about proper service-dog etiquette? My service dog has given me a new lease on life, but going out in public with him can be a huge source of anxiety. If your readers see a service dog in public, they should remember:

Don’t pet the dog, or talk to it, and don’t allow children to “rush” the dog. This distracts the service dog from its important job.

Please don’t question whether service dogs are or should be “allowed” somewhere.

Do not ask invasive personal questions about the handler’s health or abilities.

And please don’t gush about how “lucky” someone is to have a service dog or how you wish you could have your pet with you. Try mentally replacing the word “dog” with “wheelchair” or “oxygen tank” before you speak.

Many of us are happy to speak with you about our dogs or answer questions, but please remember we just want to enjoy public spaces like everyone else.

— Survivor in Florida Dear Survivor: — New

Thank you for giving me the chance to remind readers about service-dog etiquette. Many of us are animal lovers who have a hard time resisting the impulse to reach out when we see service dogs. It’s done with the best of intentions, while forgetting that a dog wearing a vest may be working.

I say “may” because, unfortunately, service vests that allow animals to be present in markets and restaurants can be ordered online by people with no disability at all.