Second-Hand Stories: NO MORE!!
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She told me the story of her life. Of the ultimate betrayal by the man she loved, respected, trusted.
She told me the story of a 9-year old whose innocent daydreams turned into a living nightmare after her father raped her.
She told me how the hugs grew longer, tighter. How the goodnight kisses smothered her, choked her, silenced her screams. She told me how the touches became — wrong, uncontrollable, brutal.
She told me of how dirty she felt, of the shame she took upon herself for bringing this on because she wanted to be daddy’s little girl.
She told me how her father told her that she wanted more. That she asked for it, that she liked it. That she made him do it.
She told me of how her mother had slapped her across the face for speaking the devil’s words against daddy. Called her a liar, and warned her to never speak of it again.
How she hated her mother for sending her away to a boarding school. How she hated her mother for siding with him. How she hated her mother for not believing her.
She told me of the pain the rage the resentment that always seemed to be there, boiling beneath the surface.
She told me enough is enough. Told me she wanted the abuse to stop once and for all. She wanted, demanded to see him punished.
She told me she was now ready.
I then took her hand in mine and we walked into the courtroom.
Note: The 43 year-old man who sexually abused his 9 year-old daughter was found guilty and convicted of rape and incestuous acts. He is now serving two life sentences, with no opportunity for parole.
It’s terrible! Only a beast can be this cruel.
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Aye, he does not deserve to be human.
Thank you for adding your voice, sheenmeem.
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Will never understand how anyone can hurt their own children, or any children for that matter. God Bless this little girl for having the courage to say Enough! Thanks for sharing this
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I share your sentiment Mark, the madness seems unstoppable sometimes.
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Feels a bit strange to like this post, since it’s a terrible story you tell. But the way you describe it is very expressive, especially the double betrayal. Great to know you were able to help this woman!
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She was only 11 when the case against her abuser came for trial, but she handled the pressure of giving sworn testimony and facing up to the extensive cross-examination by the defense lawyer like a champ. And thankfully, the system did not fail her.
Thanks for stopping by, Alex.
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What a brave girl! Thanks for sharing this story.
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You’re most welcome 🙂
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It is wonderful that this person had you there for support. I have come across incest, through work, and not always are children listened to. It breaks my heart!
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It was an incredible privilege and an awesome responsibility to have received her trust, and I was glad I did not end up betraying that trust.
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A cruel story but prevention is the only way to reduce the occurrence of this. In the UK there are lots of agencies whose role it is to detect and try to stop this but as recent revelations in the press highlight people in authority just ignored it. The challenge is to change society but I don’t hear anyone saying what needs to be done other than a threat of imprisonment..
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There is no cure for this madness, Alan. Locking up all the sickos and perverts for life or even meting out 20 lashes with a whip will not stop ’em. But we can all chip in to help create a safer environment for the young ones. Educating them about the real dangers and threats to their lives and well-being is one way to do it, and parents, guardian, teachers, law enforcers can each play a role in this. I think as long as there’s somebody who cares enough about a child, this sort of crime is preventable.
Thanks for your comments, my good man. Sorry I took so long to reply – been preoccupied with work lately.
🙂
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Since you deal with this topic in your job perhaps you can answer a question that I would like to know the answer to. Do you think that some of the kids that come from a safe environment will become some of these people?
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Hard to say really.
It is a possibility, but there is nothing concrete to show a causal relationship. Even those who have been abused as a child don’t necessarily repeat that abusive cycle against another child. This is something for a criminologist to ponder upon actually. I can only speak as a prosecutor, and from my experience in dealing with these sort of cases, I have not come across an offender with a history of abuse. That said, even if the offender was once a victim, it will not do him/her any good to reveal this in his/her defense. As to whether any of the offenders grew up in a relatively safe environment, I cannot say. I have not done any studies on the causal factors.
Sorry Alan, can’t be of much help here.
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I couldn’t press ‘like’, Raja. What a terrible story, and that little girl was so brave to stick up for herself. I honour your system that will allow a child to be heard. Thank God for people who can hear!
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She was indeed brave. She put up a strong fight when confronted by the defense lawyer during the cross. An adult in her place would’ve probably just wither and melt in the witness stand..
Thanks for stopping by Christine ❤
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