Jul 25 2009
Gang Rape Of An Eight-Year Old
As I watched news coverage of the gang rape of an eight-year old girl perpetrated by Liberian refugees, living in Arizona, I was stunned at the implications that were made by the newscaster that this was a ‘carry over’ from their experiences in Liberia. The indignation seemed to imply that these things just do not happen here in America as they spoke to the President of Liberia via telephone.
I listened to the report while in the back of my mind I was disturbingly aware of the classification of “TSO” (teenage sex offenders) here in the United States. I know for a fact that in a number of neighborhoods, they have group homes for TSO’s in America.
Although this awareness has only recently come to my attention it has allowed me to see that this is not simply a problem facing other countries that may use “rape” as a form of warfare but it happens here, among American youth at an alarming rate.
The President of Liberia, being put on the spot by newscasters here in America, issued a statement denouncing this heinous act and stating that the country (Liberia) was trying to mend its issues with sexual violence.
While the details of this heartbreaking crime are indeed troubling, with the victim being only eight-years old, the oldest of the perpetrators being only 14-years old and the youngest of the four perpetrators being 9-years old, I am simply saying that America needs to clean up its own backyard before standing in judgment and indignation of another country.
What is most disturbing and heartbreaking about this story of rape is that the eight-year old victim has been shunned by her Liberian family and is now in foster care – living with strangers - while the oldest perpetrator will be facing charges as an adult. The girl’s parents have criticized her and even blamed her for bringing shame on the family, this according to police. However, when asked by CBS 5 News, the girl’s father did say he wanted his daughter back.
Clearly, with the background of the country these kids came from and the reaction of the victim’s family, extensive counseling is needed in the lives of all five of the children involved as well as the families of those involved. The callousness of the victim’s family to shun their 8-year old daughter after such a traumatic experience and the very act of rape is indicative of serious internal “problems.”
My question becomes if it is “common practice” to put American youth, who have committed crimes of this nature, sometimes equally as violent, into group homes, what would be the fairness or the purpose in trying this 14-year old as an adult knowing from whence he came.
Having mixed emotions regarding this practice of group homes for TSO’s in America based on my understanding of the recidivism of sexual offenders, this is an option for youths in America and an option that should be extended to this 14-year old perpetrator as well. Perhaps when caught and treated at an early age, the rate of recidivism declines or at least this is the hope of the courts as they place more and more teenage sex offenders in group homes rather than youth authority prisons.
And that’s the way I see it!!!!
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