My fiance sexually assaulted my granddaughters. I know for a fact that he did this to two granddaughters, and I fear he may have harmed more than these, but the others were too young or too embarrased or afraid to say anything. I had a great love and respect for my fiance and had entrusted him with my grandchildren, believing that he was as appalled at child abuse as I was. He was a child abuse victim, and was always very emotional about describing his pain. I was duped by this predator and my grandchildren suffered the consequences. Their emotional trauma continues as does mine. They have lost their innocence and trust in adults. I have lost the ability to believe that any man can keep his hands off children. I cannot begin to describe the pain and horror of this crime. My entire family was devastated and the repercussions of his vile and perverted behavior seem to be endless. He took a plea bargain and was sentenced on one count of 1st degree sexual assault on a child. He assaulted more than one child and on more than one occasion. When it came time in court to make his statement, he denied remembering the assault, as if there had been only one. He said he was too drunk. NOT TRUE on any level. He then apologized to his family, to the court and to the community, but did not offer one apology to my family, his victims or to me. This has been the worst experience of my life, and I am at a loss to understand how he could have done such harm to my grandchildren. We often had his grandson in our home, and he seemed so very protective and caring of him. How does he rationalize his behavior and make it okay to hurt other people’s children?
Editor’s note:
The Community Justice Center believes the key to unlocking the problems with our justice system is restoring control and voices to victims. A victim tends to get lost in the shuffle of police, lawyers, judges and court rooms. Their questions don’t get answered and their story becomes nothing but yesterday’s crime.
Offenders become nothing but criminals doing time on holiday. Most never take full responsibility for the damage they have done. They don’t get a chance to feel the victim’s pain and try to make amends, even if that is all they can do. The victim has the key to getting across to offenders. Offenders need to understand the extreme gravity of the harm they put upon the victim and the community.
A major part of the Community Justice Center (CJC) is elevating victims voices so they are heard all while restoring a clear sense of control back. Through CJC victims begin the healing process and offenders know true accountability while learning about the true harm they caused real individuals and communities because of their actions. Share your comments and impact stories.