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June 14, 2005
Advocates see verdict as another slap in the face of abuse victims
Advocates for child victims of sexual abuse yesterday decried pop star Michael Jackson's sweeping legal victory in his child molestation case as a symbol of how the legal deck is stacked against young victims.
``We don't want people to therefore make the assumption that because Michael Jackson was found not guilty that all child sexual abuse cases are fabricated. Statistics will show that it's just not true,'' said Jane Doe Inc. spokeswoman Toni Troop.
A jury acquitted the superstar of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor at his Neverland ranch, plying the boy with alcohol and conspiring to hold his accuser and his family hostage at the California estate.
FBI statistics show less than 4 percent of sexual abuse cases are fabricated, Troop said. However, one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually assaulted by age 18, she said.
``The unglamorous truth is that child sexual assault is a pervasive crime in this country and we will continue to stand by victims as they come forward . . . regardless of the decision in this case,'' Troop said.
During the lengthy trial, defense attorneys portrayed Jackson's accuser and his mother as gold diggers out to scam the pop star with the allegations.
``One in four women will be assaulted and I don't think you'll find one person who is living well because they were raped,'' said Gina Scaramella, executive director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.
In a statement, Suzin Bartley, executive director of the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund, said the Jackson case sends a message to parents to be wary of the ``suspicious behavior'' sexual predators exhibit.
Child molesters tend to have more interest in child relationships and will single out a particular child to spend time with and shower with gifts, she said.
``You are not looking for a boogie man, it could be anyone,'' Scaramella said.
Posted by Nealus at June 14, 2005 12:26 PM
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