The Liberian Crisis Center for Abused Women and Children (LCC) said it is disheartened)  by the recent incident involving the alleged gang raping of an eight year old Liberian refugee girl by four Liberians in the state of Arizona. According to the Executive Director of LCC, Mrs. Beverly Goll Yekeson, the act as allegedly perpetrated by these four Liberians is heinous, barbaric, and amoral and has the propensity of casting an aspersion on the status of many peaceful Liberians living in the USA and the world as a whole.

The LCC believes that the ages of the four Liberians involved in such a despicable act of sexual immorality (violence and abuse) should not be used as the basis for establishing their innocence or ability to decipher right from wrong. The very act of rape is a criminal and moral violation of the rights and privileges of the innocent eight year old Girl. “Instead of seeing that little child as their sister and looking out for her, these four boys decided to abuse her childhood; something that if not treated correctly might have a traumatic effect on her future” the Center’s Executive Director noted.

During a CNN interview on Friday, the Liberian leader, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf admitted that the act of rape is a non-bailable offense under Liberia’s law and therefore urged the US government to use its legal instrument in rendering judgment against the four alleged Liberian rapists. The Center believes that the President’s interview with CNN highlights the government stance against rape and other acts of violence against women and innocent girls and is therefore calling on the Liberian Ambassador to ensure that the statement of President Sirleaf is followed to the letter.

Meanwhile, LCC says that the act of rape is not a part of Liberia’s culture as is been perceived by other international organizations including CNN. During a CNN Atlanta’s interview late Friday afternoon, Mrs. Yekeson noted that “While it is true that the act of rape is a by product of the Liberian civil war, it has no bearing on the culture, values, norms and traditional beliefs of the Liberian nation. The reported “blame shifting action” by her parents or guardians and apparent attribution of “shame to the family” that this incident has supposedly brought them, are equally disturbing, and must be addressed from a counselling perspective which is a critical part of the healing process that LCC provides in helping victims and their families understand that they are not to be blamed”.

In an attempt to assess the situation and lend its support to the victim and family, the Center is expected to dispatch a delegation to Phoenix, Arizona early next week. While in Arizona, the delegation will hold talks with ChildHelp an affiliate organization and other advocacy groups based in Arizona.