This is horrible. An 11-year-old girl in Milwaukee was sexually assaulted by "as many as 20 men" and boys (ranging in age from 13 to 40) -- the last of whom was recently sentenced.
Seventeen-year-old Terrell Jefferson was the 14th person punished for his role in the Labor Day 2006 assault. Authorities said as many as 20 men and boys engaged in sex acts with the girl over several hours. A 16-year-old girl was accused of helping get the younger girl to take part. [...]A number of women in the girl's neighborhood said the males involved were good people who made bad decisions.
"Five years? Ten years? That's ridiculous," said LaToya Bell, 22, sitting on a porch with four others who nodded in agreement. "They (are) getting time for nothing. That girl, she knew what she was doing."
She was 11 years old. I have no words. Go read Gina at What About Our Daughters (who has been following the case) and Renee at Womanist Musings.
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Wow. I'm really surprised no one has commented on this yet. This is one of the worst things I've ever heard. How can someone think a little girl can consent to a gang-bang!!? Personally, I don't think they got enough time in jail...
You know, I recently had a conversation with my mother, who felt that times had changed and blame-the-victim stuff was largely a thing of the past.
Yeah. It took me like 20 minutes to find a dozen examples just like this. It leaves me speechless, too.
Do people not even listen to what they are saying? An 11 year old is held more accountable (by bystanders) for a group rape situation than the adult males present? WTF?
Unforntunately it is common. I've never been sure why. This goes along with the stigma that if you have been sexually assulted then you are a horrible person and dirty. I find it horrifying and ignorant to blame an 11 year old for others actions.