It’s a Hard Road to Justice for the Young Victims of Abuse
Published in The Universe
(March 30, 2003)
Good things happen to those who hunger and thirst for justice and Jesus said that they are blessed too.
I have an insatiable appetite to see justice done to the broken and the wounded, the abused and the hurt, the suffering and the maimed, the deprived and the destroyed.
We will see much of that suffering as the armies roll to an unforgivable war. There will be no justice for the thousands of women and children and young men when they are all dead or dying.
Seeking out justice is the hunger that drove Jesus to plant the seed of God's Kingdom of Justice in the hearts and minds of people. It is this hunger that keep me working too against sometimes insurmountable odds. I long to see justice done for children especially those brutally abused and thrown aside like used rags.
Last week another hard victory was won for one the thousands of victims. One more conviction of a child beater and rapist. The child (we’ll call her Daisy), was just seven when it happened. The stepfather beat his wife and then turned on his adopted child and whipped her with electric wire and hit her with a metal tube. He then raped her several times.
In desperation the little girl told her teachers and they reported the abuse and action was taken. But the case dragged on and the child was becoming more and more traumatized so she was referred to the PREDA children's home for abused children. The all female therapists, social workers and the other children gave her all the love and affirmation that she so urgently needed. With that and the therapy she recovered her self-esteem and her self-confidence was restored. It was beautiful to behold, a fearful fugitive from abuse was finding peace and like a flower, opened to the warmth of care and support.
After years of trying to get justice, finally the abuser was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The abuser may appeal but we are sure that the little girl’s testimony will be sustained.
We may be vilified by the abusers and their families, especially if they are wealthy and well-connected. Death threats and false counter charges are brought against us frequently. This is the humiliating price that we have to pay. This is why few child care centers take legal action on behalf of the abused.
This is the second conviction this ear yet in the past months thee have been four dismissals of similar cases. Not all judges are convinced by the testimony of the small children.
There are 37 children in the PREDA Home. They receive emotional support, affirmation and a sense of acceptance and belonging. Their self-esteem and confidence returns and they feel the need of justice. It is an essential ingredient in the healing process.
The therapy is essential too. They can scream and shout in the Emotional Release Therapy room to get out all their pent-up pain of ebing unwanted, rejected and abused.
Some say that this is dangerous and children ought to be seen but not heard. We turn that about and allow them to be heard and to tell all. It is this that will satisfy their hunger for justice and love.
