For anyone with their eyes open, this weeks news concerning the gang rape of a 15 year old girl in Richmond, California after her school’s homecoming dance ought to trigger a blinking red warning flag concerning our country’s sinking standard of personal moral code of conduct. If you haven’t heard about this horrific situation; a young girl left her homecoming dance to get a ride home from her father only to allegedly encounter someone she knew who invited her to join in a group of young people who were drinking outside of the school.
She joined them and according to some news reports she too began drinking. At some point, this group found it’s way to a darkened out of the way area on the school grounds where some terrible violence occured. This young woman was violently gang raped, beaten and robbed; left to lay curled up alongside of some benches. The story is still evolving, however there are reports that she may have been raped by as many as 10 individuals while other individuals came and watched, possibly taking pictures with their cell phones…and others were involved in physically assaulting her. All in all, the numbers are still changing…but, at this point…five individuals have been arrested so far; ranging in ages from 15-21 years of age.
It is being said that those who viewed the crime but didn’t report it wont be brought up on charges, even though it is against the law for people to view a crime against children and not intervene through law enforcement; but it only applies from my understanding to children under the age of 14. Still, if it is true that some by standers did in fact capture the attack on their cell phones…that is evidence. But, if any of those people turn it in to the authorities…i wonder if they wont be charged for filming “sexual images involving a minor”, especially if they published it online.
Investigators are still interviewing individuals and processing evidence. A large number of people actually watched this rape and assault take place and did nothing to intervene; nor, did they call authorities or emergency personel.
This is a huge disconnect on a compassionate level for human beings; law enforcement, social workers, mental health experts, educators, parents and students will be studying this unfortunate situation for years to come to make sense of it and try to find a way to correct the conditions which allowed it to take place. This attack allegedly took place over 2 1/2 hours; that is a long time to watch someone being abused and not be moved to act. Eventually, some young men were discussing the alleged events and someone overheard it and called to report it to the authorities.
There are so many levels of horror to discuss here that it begs to be argued over which issue is more important. However, rape and assault are never ok…and should never be condoned or viewed as entertainment or a spectator sport…that is my first thought that I want to communicate. Beyond that…certainly we need to understand the reasons why our young people who were involved in this situation could allow themselves to witness and or participate in such dispicable behavior towards another human being. Those who witnessed it and did not make attempts to stop it, nor to notify law enforcement need to examine why they did not take appropriate, compassionate action!
The young woman’s father allegedly tried to reach her by her cell phone and got no response. I can only imagine the thoughts that ran through his head that evening or even now, knowing what took place and how his child was violated.
The school where this took place has said that the homecoming dance event was a success with no problems…it was only after the young woman left the building that this assault took place. While I understand what they were trying to convey…it did come across as somewhat insensitive to read articles that alledge that the school said that the school doesn’t take the students home…meaning that they aren’t responsible once they walk out the door. Whether that is what the person speaking meant to say, or whether it was in fact what they did say…it does little to reasssure parents or community leaders that minor students are in fact safe in these environments once they are beyond the eyes of those who are supervising.
Does any of this alleviate personal choices made by any of the individuals involved in the actual assault? No…certainly we are all responsible for individual choices and actions. Those who beat, raped or viewed the assault and did nothing have to understand their own responsibility. The young woman who made the choice to stop and drink alcohol (which can lessen a person’s ability to make clear and responsible decisions in situations that are not safe) will be questioning her own decision making for a long time to come. She will have a long road towards healing physically and emotionally.
Let’s be clear…drinking alcohol certainly does not give anyone permission to physically or sexually assault another person. Was it a wise decision to stop and drink alcohol on school grounds with a group of people when the young woman was only 15 years old? No, underage drinking is not wise. Still, no one deserves to be beaten and raped. She will spend a lifetime trying to overcome this horrible experience and heal from the traumatic memories.
These questions and more will be asked and pondered over. In a larger sense, maybe as a society we need to examine the things that go on in our society that desensitize individuals to do these types of things. We need to look at our cuture for some of these answers. Everyday we bombard our citizens, both young and old, with images and words in marketing/ advertising aimed at sensualizing and sexualizing everything from soap to clothing, to food, to music, movies and video games. Extremely troubling is some music videos and video games that seem to highlight treating women and children violently and with disregard for their well-being.
There are serious consequences to this kind of behavior in real life. Rape and violence of any kind are troubling breaches of appropriate behavior and an acceptable personal moral code of conduct. Some of these images and audios promote violent and uncaring attitudes towards others. Respect for others is lacking; and things that seemed to be valued are monetary things. Is it any wonder why some individuals appear to have a lack of control or compassion?
We must start demanding positive and uplifting changes if we are to combat these types of incidents from becoming common place.
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This incident is so heinous on so many levels it is astounding. The girl is traumatized for life. The perpetrators have done unspeakable deeds. Those who lollygagged on the periphery of this hideous event are to be shamed.
Where on earth is our OUTRAGE? Where are peoples’ sense of decency? What happened to respect, modesty, civil behavior?
I fancy that our God sits in Heaven, shaking his head in dismay.
What needs to happen to bring people to their (common) sense?
Thank you for writing about this, Rainy. Your courage to deal with reality is commendable.
Hugs
Mother Connie
http://motherconniesez.blogspot.com
This one sick thing. I cannot say I do not believe it happened. I do, things in this conutry is out of control. I think the boys who did this should go to prison for a long time, I do not care how old they are. The ones who watched also need some prison time. What kind of person stand around and watch something like this and do nothing to help.
I do believe that parent are not being parent anymore. Trying so hard to be there child friend. I believe your parent is your child first teacher. Your as there parent is to teacher then the different between right and wrong. Bring then up in the church and live the way of the Bible says.
I do not believe time have change, people changed. Not for the good, things need to get back to the basic, and start back raising there children. Stop, letting the street, the videos games, the TV and the music raise there children.
It really bother me that those kids or anybody could just stand around and watch this happened and do nothing. It’s like the ones who raped her and watch this happened had no soul or feeling and cared about anything or anyone.
Parents have to start back being parents again.
Anne:
Thank you so much for your heartfelt words. I agree with you …you are right…this country has gotten so far away from where we need to be. Parents are letting their kids raise themselves and many of them don’t know right from wrong anymore…and even those that do understand right from wrong…they don’t seem to care about doing the right thing.
This whole thing is a tragedy…but what breaks my heart is that this is supposedly a young lady who is a church going girl who is an honor student. She was trying to fit in by joining in this group at the alleged invitation of the “friend” that she knew. It is a horrible situation all the way around…one that will affect her, the school, the community…and the families of both the victim and the suspects for life. Thank you for visiting and leaving words of wisdom.
WritewhereUr