phoenix gang-rape update.

sorry for the third post of the day.

CNN's Kyra is, right now, airing a story that is offering an update on the case of the 8-year-old Liberian girl who was gang-raped by four Liberian boys, aged 9 to 14, a few weeks ago. Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has reportedly sent Edwin Sele, Liberia's Deputy Ambassador of Missions, to speak with the young girl.

we are glad to see that Liberia is paying due attention to the brutal Phoenix rape, but the Deputy Ambassador's claims that the family's statements were "lost in translation" are ridiculous. the whole world heard the comments made by both the young girl's sister and mother. the sister accused the 8-year-old of "bringing trouble" and "causing confusion" among the refugee Liberian community, while the mother insisted that no one had touched her daughter, no one had raped her daughter--despite medical and scientific proof. listen for yourself, you can watch the CNN video here.

of course, it's terrible to see a child separated from her family; but, if that family is one who has expressed shame, anger, and resentment towards her for being the target of a brutal, sexual attack... then perhaps that young girl is better off. thanks to Kyra for setting the record straight, on-air, that these crimes are not tolerated in the US, and should not be tolerated anywhere else in the world. Liberia may have finally criminalized rape three years ago, and its official stance may be that sexual crimes are not tolerated; but, the words and reaction of this young girl's family betray that position. obviously, there is a deeply rooted cultural, historical, and social mentality concerning rape and sexual assault in Liberia--and many other countries, for that matter--that has gone unchecked for too long.

i'm waiting for CNN to post an updated article on the situation in Phoenix; hopefully there will be one to supplement Kyra's on-air report. if i find one, i'll be sure to post the link.

4:00PM UPDATE: Kyra posted this on her CNN Newsroom blog. according to the segment producer, her interview with the deputy ambassador should be posted soon. one comment on Kyra's blog post so far--from a commentor, Maggie--reads (unedited), "as a african myself i’m not shocked about the reaction of the family specially the sister because in my country when someone is raped they blame the victim.sometimes they say it’s because of the way the victim dressed (provocative) or she was at the wrong place all this excuses to justify why she was raped.the victim doesn’t get counseling or anything this is outraged."

(also, found via Kyra's blog some information about admitted child rapist David Harold Earls, of Oklahoma. but, i'll save that for tomorrow since i think i have officially blogged enough bad news for one day. my heart is starting to hurt.)