One can only hope Americans don’t become numb to these stories, because every story about rape raises awareness and brings us that much closer rapists receiving swift and just punishment, and that will also discourage others from raping. But swift and just punishment did not happen in this horrendous case dealing with the rape of a two-year-old African American girl. Raw Story reports a 19-year old man raped a toddler live on the internet two years ago and it was recorded. He will serve no time in prison.
“Kraigen Grooms admitted to raping a 2-year-old girl in April 2013, when he was 16 years old, while another [unidentified] man in New Orleans watched and recorded the abuse, reported Ottumwa Radio.
Investigators believe the assault was premeditated and that Grooms had targeted a 3-year-old boy for a similar assault.”
According to Ottumwa Post in Iowa, the act was premeditated.
"The Defendant had made prior arrangements with the subject in New Orleans to commit the abuse. The Defendant did not regularly babysit [the baby] and was not regularly left alone with [the baby]. The Defendant had to intentionally seek out the opportunity to commit the abuse at a time and location where the subject in New Orleans could view and record the abuse."
"Forensic analysis of computers used in the transfer of the video recordings shows that the Defendant reported that he found the incident “so hot” and that the Defendant was making arrangements to sexually abuse an unidentified three-year-old male while the subject in New Orleans viewed and recorded the abuse. Analysis of computers seized from the Defendant’s home have discovered photographs of a male subject approximately three years old. The identity of the boy is not yet known, nor has the investigation determined whether the planned sexual abuse of the boy took place."
After being caught, Grooms, who also goes by the name Kragen Simmers, was put in a juvenile detention center while awaiting trial. In July, Grooms took a plea deal to lesser charges and Judge Randy Degeest gave him a 10-year suspended sentence. (Why do they even call it a sentence?) The original charge would have put Grooms in prison for up to 25 years.
So what about the child? The child has been identified. How will this affect her future — will she remember? There’s no way to know. What about the message this sends out to victims and rapists. It sends the message that victims don’t count enough to punish rapists. It tells rapists, it will be fine. Just do it. What about justice? It seem there is none... but there is. And the more stories of rape are shared, the more awareness and the less chance of rapists getting away with it.
It’s often extremely difficult to talk about being raped, much less report it. I know—I’m a survivor. If you, or someone you know, has ever been a victim of rape/sexual assault, there is help. The recent press shows us how many rape cases go wrong. Know that many go right and the more victims that report it, the less rapists will get a way with it and the penalties will discourage others from raping. You can find free support via the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and/or by visiting the Rape, Abuse Incest National Network/online.RAINN.org. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. And if you can hold on to one thing, remember this—it’s not your fault.
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