What Is Justice……

By Lavinia Masters

What is the true meaning of justice and how is it really defined? The dictionary states that justice is the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause or the administering of deserved punishment or reward. In regards to our justice system the courts like to display the symbol of “Lady Justice”, the Roman Goddess of justice, most often depicted with a set of scales typically suspended from her left hand, upon which she measures the strengths of a case's support and opposition. She is also often seen carrying a double-edged sword in her right hand, symbolizing the power of Reason and Justice, which may be wielded either for or against any party. Finally she is also shown wearing blindfolds which is done in order to indicate that justice is (or should be) meted out objectively, without fear or favor, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness: blind justice and blind impartiality. But I ask you… is this always the case?

I recently listened to the news of Pro Football Hall of Famer, Lawrence Taylor being indicted by the grand jury in New York on the charges of third degree rape and patronizing a prostitute and I went numb. Then remembering back just a few months ago, in March I believe, there was another pro football player, Ben Roethlisberger, which was accused for the second time in less than a year of a sexual assault of a young lady in a night club but for some reason, that is still unclear to me, the DA dropped the charges due to insufficient evidence however at that time I was livid.

Being an advocate and survivor of sexual assault you have a tendency to want to see all rapists suffer for the crimes against innocent victims but there are times in this walk that you question your purpose and the fight. Although I have never been a fan of football or any other sport for that matter I have been intrigued to follow the behavior and the actions of some of these “star athletes” and the power that their money and fame gives them. Here we have two athletes brought up on the same charges just months apart and one gets indicted and faces up to 4 years in prison while the other walks away only with suspension and resumes his position and status as a star football player….hmmm…so I ask the question again…what is justice and how is it defined?

I wrestled with each case over and over again and my spirit was not only restless but my heart was in despair. You see I am one that thinks about the victim in these situations and all the pain and suffering that they have to endure as those that “have” or are of the “elite” are allowed to use and abuse them and still walk away with their pride and dignity because they are sorry that they got caught! Yet still in the comparing these two cases I could not rest.

At first I thought maybe because Lawrence or “L.T.” is an ex pro football player or a “has been” pro line backer according to today’s society while Ben or “Big Ben” is still playing and considered one of Americas greatest football quarterbacks; as the reason their cases were handled differently. Then there is the issue of Lawrence being caught in New York where they possibly punish athletes harsher for sex crimes versus the state of Georgia where Ben was accused. However maybe it was the whole idea that Lawrence smeared the image of his football career long ago when he was caught using and imprisoned for drugs charges because Ben was only accused of sexual assault before in Nevada but it never materialized. Wait! I got it… the young lady that Lawrence got involved with was underage and the young women that Ben was accused by were old enough to know what they were doing!

I hope as you are reading this you detect my sarcasm and frustration as I am disturbed that after all we do as advocates as far as speaking out against rape and abuse, changing and enforcing laws, lobbying legislation and supporting survivors all with blood, sweat and tears we are continuously let down by our “Lady Justice”. It seems that her scales that are meant to measure the strength of a case’s support and opposition is always off balance…her sword that is suppose to symbolize power of reason and justice must be hollow and made of aluminum because it is dull and has no power…and the blindfolds that cover her eyes to make justice blind or impartial regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness should be removed because maybe then she will be able to see true justice and just how unfair she has really been.

Just because I am not a fan of football or sports it does not make me a hater of atheletes. There have been some stellar athletes with stellar backgrounds and character and they should be commended. However when you have athletes that cross the line of being a “role model” for some… to a monster to others…I have a strong concern and the message that should be conveyed to them that these type of behaviors will not be tolerated should be expressed equally and fairly across the board and from state to state. No one is or should be any greater or less than when it comes to sexual assault. The trauma that sexual assault brings a victim is the same for all and the due process and punishment phase that comes to accuser should be equally so.

I pray for all these young women that have suffered at the hands of our “elite” athletes in America. I pray that they can begin to heal and restore their lives after such trauma. I do not care if you are a prostitute, an alcoholic, drug abuser, run away, or a young woman in the wrong place at the wrong time…that does not give anyone the right to violate or assault you. You are still a human being and you still have the right to say “No” no matter your circumstance and you should not have to feel that because someone is of a fortune or fame status that they are above you or the law and can do whatever and whenever they want to you and get away with it. Unfortunately our “Lady Justice” continues to send these mixed messages and as long as she does I have decided not to lose heart or faint but I will press on until I find the true meaning of justice because in my heart I know what it is or at least what it should be.

Buyer Beware!

By Sheryl McCollum

Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (LT) was lied to by an underage hooker!  This is shocking.  What is the world coming to when a pimp will miss lead a John over a $300 sex job.  I am disgusted that a married man with three daughters can’t slip into a hotel with a hooker – have his manly needs met and go to sleep without begin harassed by the police for not knowing her age. Everyone knows that black eyes make you look older. 

He risked diseases, having his reputation tarnished as well as that pesky adultery thing brought up.  This was a simple business transaction – not the crime of the century.  The pimp may have needed to persuade the teenage hooker to perform sex acts by beating her before taking her to Taylors hotel room – nothing personal just business.  

The hooker was a runaway.  The pimp gave her a place to stay for only $150 a week as well as a job.  These men were helping her.  She was beginning trained in the oldest profession.  How many young girls dream of becoming a big city hooker?  This is a real life “Pretty Women”.  

Lawrence Taylor went out of his way to help this young hooker.  He found a pimp.  Arranged a deal on a certain date, time and location.  He left his house in order to meet the pimp and hooker on time.  He paid for a hotel room in the state he lives in.  This was more than a $300 deal for him.  Then to think he was lied to by a criminal that he sought out, a criminal that he gave money to in good faith.  He had to have sex with a very young beat up hooker.  This couldn’t have been what he wanted.  

Sad to think after beating cocaine addiction and other demons LT is facing rape charges.  He is suffering other negative effects such as Nutrisystem, the weight loss company, announced Friday that it is cutting ties with Taylor, who had been one of its spokesmen.

His bond is $75,000.  He is losing endorsements.  The fact remains that she took the cash and gave it to her pimp and Lord knows what she was wearing.  She went to his hotel room he did not go to her.  How is this his fault?  

The world has gone to hell when a married man with three daughters can’t buy an underage piece of ass without facing prison time!

Buyer Beware!

The Dangers Of The Streets: Child Trafficking

By Gaetane Borders

 

 The newswires were working overtime in the past several days.  The reason is because Lawrence Taylor, a former NFL player, was charged with third-degree rape and soliciting prostitution in a case involving a 16-year-old girl at a hotel in Rockland County, NY according to the authorities.  The 16-year-old was a runaway who police said was forced into prostitution.  She was reported missing from her home in March.


Police also say that the girl had been staying with a 36-year-old parolee, Rasheed Davis, in the Bronx. Reportedly, the two met a few weeks ago at a bus stop.  After a conversation in which she indicated that she did not have a place to stay, Davis offered her refuge. He later forced her to perform sexual favors for others.


Last Thursday morning, Davis reportedly punched and kicked her, drove her to a hotel against her will and told her she had to have sex with Taylor. Although she continued to refuse, Davis reportedly handed her over to Taylor, who sexually assaulted her, reports indicate. Taylor then paid her $300, which she gave to Davis.


The police learned of this chain of events when the girl’s uncle, who had reported her missing, called the New York Police Department saying he had received a text message from her. In it, she said she was being driven back to the Bronx and gave the address where she was headed. City officers went to the address and found the girl with Davis who was charged with unlawful imprisonment, assault and endangering the welfare of a child.   


No doubt, one reason why this crime has received a lot of attention is because of Lawrence Taylor’s celebrity.  However, there are thousands of young girls and boys who are forced into sexual slavery each day.  In fact, child prostitution is a major issue not only in the U.S., but also around the world.  Atlanta is one city in the U.S. that Federal law enforcement considers to be a hub for child prostitution. Advocates contend at least 400 minors are in prostitution in Georgia, mostly in metro Atlanta.  Many are 14 or younger. 
   
A recent report by the Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic at Emory University estimated that hundreds of children were being used as prostitutes throughout Georgia. They come from troubled families and often have histories of truancy, and typically ran away from home after being sexually abused.  Once on the street, they face increased risks of being battered or killed. They are also likely to experience drug addiction or psychiatric disorders and contract diseases. 
 

Most runaway children do not realize the dangers of living on the streets. According to the National Runaway Switchboard, 75% of runaways will become involved in theft, drugs or pornography. Moreover, one out of every three teens on the street will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home.  

 

This is how…

Children are recruited by pimps in arcades, malls, entertainment centers, at tourist attractions and concerts. They move from city to city looking for children who are alone, desperate, and alienated. They often entice the victims with money and luxury items. Once the pimp moves a child from her hometown into a strange city, they can easily force them to work as a prostitute through the use of drugs, violence, intimidation, and mental abuse.  

 Child prostitutes require specialized care for effective intervention. They are sure to have both physical and emotional scars that will have lasting affects.   Many experts agree that residential care is the most effective.  There are some agencies across the country that specialize in helping former child prostitutes.  However, the resources are not extensive.  There is a definite need for more treatment centers to help rebuild the lives of these victimized children.  Moreover, we need to make protecting children a national priority every day of the year, and not only during election times or to merely sell more copies of a magazine…or when it involves a celebrity. 

Gaétane F. Borders, MA, ABD 

Children of The Night

Angela’s House

My Life My Choice Project

SAGE

Safe House

Gracehaven