WHEREAS, the people of Phoenix, Arizona and the Liberian community are currently dealing with the unfortunate aftermath of a horrible teenage gang rape of a minor Liberian child by four Liberian youths, and
WHEREAS, in times like this cultural misunderstandings can lead to misconceptions and negative stereotyping, and
WHEREAS, maximum support for the victim and the need for justice and rehabilitation for the perpetrators are critically needed for the community to move forward in the healing process, and
WHEREAS, as emotions run high from among and between families and community groups, a neutral, independent and skilled organization is needed to assist the victim and the community in the healing process, and
WHEREAS, the Liberian Crisis Center for Abused Women and Children is uniquely qualified to bring counseling, guidance and cultural perspective of Liberian social attitude towards women, and
WHEREAS, the Liberian Crisis Center for Abused Women and Children stand willing, ready and able to assist the community and the victim as well as the City of Phoenix navigate this terrible tragedy, and
WHEREAS, the Liberian community and the City as a whole can benefit from this external intervention which can bring a more objective perspective,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberian Crisis Center for Abused Women and Children,
- Hereby registers its heartfelt empathy towards the victim,
- Calls on the Liberian Community to approach this unfortunate incidence with honesty and open-mindedness,
- Commends the people and authorities of the State of Arizona for the care and attention given this case,
- Implores the authorities of the State of Arizona, more specifically the Maricopa County to continue to exercise the utmost compassion in the healing process and assistance of the victims, and
- Offers the Center’s help in ensuring that this terrible incident never occurs again and that the Liberian Community suffers no long term consequence as the result thereof.
Given this the ______ day of August ____, 2009
By:__________________________________________________________
Beverly Goll Yekeson
President |