Support offered for 8-year-old victim of sex assault

[azmouse]

There really are some wonderful, decent people out there.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2009/07/25/20090725sexassault0725.html


Peggy Bilsten returned home from a month-long humanitarian trip to help rape victims in Africa to learn of a similar victim in Phoenix. Like the victims she met in Africa, this one "survived hell," she said.

The former Phoenix city councilwoman offered to adopt the 8-year-old Liberian refugee who police said was held down and raped by a group of neighborhood boys at a Maryvale apartment complex.

The victim landed in the care of Arizona Child Protective Services after her father made statements to authorities that he no longer wanted her in the home because she brought shame to the family. The story triggered an outpouring of support from families willing to adopt the girl, help her recover or simply to donate clothing and toys to ease her transition into foster care.
The attack also prompted the president of war-torn Liberia to issue a statement Friday about the Phoenix case, stating that the country was trying to mend its issues with sexual violence.

[Maccagirl]

1. Her parents do not deserve to ever see her again

I don't give a shit about "values" and "tradition". This is sickening in the first degree.

[stuball111]

2. Heartbreaking...

Just plain heartbreaking to do that to a child...and what gets me is what kind of parents are those of the 4 boys? Like I said before, some human beings just should not be allowed to have children, period.

[Gwendolyn]

3. One set of those parents is related to the girl's family.

One of her rapists is a cousin. So there you go.

[stuball111]

6. I'm not suprised....

Still... very heartbreaking what the kid must be going through.

[Chulanowa]

4. I don't tend to blame parents for everything their children do.

I can't imagine any of these parents encouraged their kids to rape this little girl. Maybe that's exactly what happened, but it seems unlikely, and so far beyond the bounds that I literally can't imagine it

[stuball111]

5. Well, they must have been taught republican "family values"

And I'm not saying they taught their kids to rape, but SOMETHING must have been lacking in their upbringing to create such little bastards.

[Bobbieo]

7. Why are those people living in this country? Wouldn't they be more comfortable

back in Nigeria with their culture. What they are doing is not the American way!!!

[Chulanowa]

9. Just gotta check... Are you missing a sarcasm tag?

I hate that I have to ask, but DU's been acting a little... odd lately

[stuball111]

13. Yes...I forgot the Sarcasm tag

My apologies..

[Chulanowa]

8. Or maybe they're just little bastards

Children are not marionettes. My upbringing was model, but I did some really unwarranted shit when I was a kid - Not rape, no, but still, some whack shit. Why? A) it seemed like a good idea at the time and B) I had no real notion of consequence at the time. I ended up with a severely sore ass more than once, but I was apparently a slow learner.

[bridgit]

11. Well according to adult family members those were Liberian family values...

In that they stated rape as a means to control children, and presumably people (though of course mostly women), and make them nice and docile again...for fear of being randomly raped would be my guess

[stuball111]

14. Pretty ficked up shit...

I suppose it never crosses fundamentalist of any nature to try kindness and logic and guidance to teach children.

[Chulanowa]

17. I still can't fathom it

I mean I can accept that it's true that someone i nthe family said that, but I just can't fucking imagine it. It's beyond my mental capabilities to imagine any scenario where that would be acceptable. Fucked-up shit indeed.

[Gwendolyn]

15. Of course you wouldn't. You also defend the niqab/burka. n/t

[Chulanowa]

16. I defend a woman's right to wear what she wishes, to put a finer point on it

I also stressed that I do not defend those who would force her to wear it.

You, on the other hand, stated that any woman who would choose to wear a garment you dislike belongs in a psychiatric ward, and that the state should pass laws to dictate to women what sort of clothing they are permitted to wear. Laws that would of course only apply to a single religion.

Way to rise above the patriarchy, huh Gwen?

[bridgit]

10. This was a disgusting story to me when it broke, but with all the uproar...

about the sancity & privacy for one to do and say whatever they desire in their own homes; doesn't the raped 8-yr old girl' dad have a right to cast her out cause of the shame she has brought into the family home? Why shouldn't one's cultural point reference trump America? The story remains a glimpse into what is violent & cunnning

[azmouse]

12. I tend to believe there are some absolutes.

Such as not disowning a family member for what has happened to them through no fault of their own. And especially as it pertains to a little girl who did no wrong.

My heart aches for that child. And my mind burns in anger at a family that would treat a small female child like dirt.

[Number23]

18. How wonderful. May that child find SOME joy in this world

That poor darling.

Thanks for posting. Happy to rec.

[Odin2005]

19. K&R