A detail that stands out from the murder trial of Scott Poirier deals little with revelations of abuse, or the minute-by-minute retelling of last fall’s killing, when Poirier shot his father during his 65th birthday party.

Rather, it’s from the day after the shooting, when Poirier’s defense lawyer reportedly received 74 phone calls from people citing molestation as a potential motive for the killing, according to statements by Poirier’s family members.

Decades after the abuse occurred, people still knew. It clicked with dozens after hearing what Scott Poirier had done, and his family supported him during his murder trial because they understood – deep down – the havoc Roland Poirier had wrought.

The question that remains is why didn’t anybody else?

The member’s shooting has become a catharsis for the Poirier family, freeing them to speak openly and honestly about the sexual abuse that occurred in the past. We hope they can now find their peace.

Yet, the decades of silence are deafening. Why should it have taken a rifle crack to expose the truth? Why didn’t someone who knew of this behavior speak up, if not to police, then to confront Roland Poirier himself?

Admittedly, these are difficult questions. This abuse occurred during a time when such matters were dealt with behind closed doors, when the stigma of the molestation would more affect the accuser, than the accused.

Silence was smarter, because it was safer.

We’ve seen this scenario replayed in abuse cases, especially where the abuser occupied a position of power over the abused: with teachers, clergy, parents. Yet the excuses of the past are inexcusable today – in our society’s treatment of abuse, we have come quite a distance.

Punitive actions against sexual abusers are perhaps our most extensive; no other subsection of offenders merits their own public registry. Some places even have ordinances banning their residency near public places, like schools.

In fact, in Maine, the expansion of punishments against sex offenders has become so broad, the courts are saying they border on unconstitutionality. Meanwhile, numerous support systems and services have been made available to aid victims of sexual abuse.

These advancements have expressly tried to empower the abused, and quash the stigma. They also reflect a social judgment made upon sexual predators that they are, perhaps, the most vile creatures to share our collective oxygen supply.

It’s the reason Scott Poirier’s family cheered his verdict, and waited tearfully outside the jailhouse for his release, despite being convicted of the serious crime of manslaughter – as a people, we’ve come to think his victim was guilty of much worse.

The prosecution was correct, however: we cannot allow vigilante justice to reign in these cases. Although what Scott Poirier did was somewhat defensible, it doesn’t make it right. Especially today, when society has progressed in its understanding and handling of sexual abuse cases. There’s no reason for the suffering silence, anymore.

When victims speak, they should know now they will be heard.