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25.10.2014 Feature Article

That’s Alright: Judge Sentences Couple To 2,340 Years For Child Molestation

Thats Alright: Judge Sentences Couple To 2,340 Years For Child Molestation
25.10.2014 LISTEN

In their next trial on December 8, the American couple is likely to have more years added onto their 2,340 prison sentence if they are also charged for rape. But for now, Americans seem quite satisfied that Mr. and Mrs. Ayers would be locked away for more than 2000 years for child pornography.

After photographing the child performing 'lewd' and 'lascivious' acts, and having sex with the child in turns, Mrs. Ayers went further to arrange with a man in another state to have sex with the victim.

This was too much for Judge ScottCoogler, who exclaimed: “I have been on the bench since 1998, and this is the worst case I have personally dealt with, including murders. You robbed this child of her childhood and her soul, and a maximum sentence is the only sentence appropriate.” This was a child in their custody, and the Alabama couple abused her to imaginable extents, introducing her to moral corruption at a time that she needed responsible and progressive examples to guide her development and growth.

What is the maximum sentence for child molestation in Ghana? The present sodomy case involving a medical doctor, Dr. Ali-Gabass and a 16 year old student, is as terrible as that of the American couple. The gynecologist is alleged to have sodomised the lad on five occasions, three in his car and two in his Alajo apartment. The boy had to undergo surgery to repair complications in his anal region, resulting from the sexual encounters with the doctor. He has also contracted the dreaded HIV disease.

How many more children have suffered this kind of abuse and have not been able to come out? How many young boys may have fallen victim to Dr. Gabass? That would mean asking how many young boys and young girls are on Facebook and other social media platforms. With smart phones everywhere these days, our kids walk about innocently courting danger, crime and exploitation. And we are almost helpless because we cannot monitor their 'virtual life' and other social engagements. When the WhatsApp tone rings, we can only hope that whoever is up may leave them alone so they can do their homework or at least be quick enough to open the gate when we get home.

Our children are living precariously in a world that presents too many allures to temp any boring eunuch. And in our situation where economic insecurities and biting poverty push people to invent their own survival vehicles, our children face greater risk of falling prey to ready predators. The last time I wrote on'Pornography in Ghana: Actors speak Twi', I got some shocking responses from many young boys and girls who are usually not part of my original publics. Without consuming as much as a syllable of the article, they were persuaded by the headline of the article that I was advertising for porn stars. The youngsters wrote to find out from me if I could help them launch their career in the porn industry. This was some seven years ago. Today, there are enormous opportunities on the internet and on WhatsApp to work towards the prospect.

The US Department of Justice reports that since the early 1990's child sexual exploitation in the world has soared. In response, the department launched CyberTipline in 1998, to police the menace, and has since then recorded 2.5 million cases in the United States alone. It is estimated those in the child pornography business make some $3billion every year, bringing in more and more victims daily to keep the business going. These could be kids as young as 6 years or even younger.

What goes through the minds of adults in positions of trust who abuse children? In my line of work, I come across lots of children and young people. The innocence in their eyes is gripping and so genuine. They ooze love and demonstrate pure and natural affection for people in authority. They trust you when you tell them you would give them a tour of the Flagstaff House, even when they do not see a letter of clearance. And they forgive easily when the tour never happens. They look forward to possibilities in the midst of disappointment and work towards another appointment.

It takes extraordinary wickedness for anybody to take advantage of this innocent natural order. There have been cases that parents have sexually abused their own children, sometimes making babies with them. Adults who abuse children have a very limited appreciation of the intelligence of the world around them. In the crucible of their private murder of a young life, they find some mental ammunition to rape and steal from those in their care. As the world wonders why they prey on the innocent, they wander in the satisfaction that they are the only ones who understand their impairment. And well, they do not think theirs is an impairment until they are busted.

As for Dr. Ali-Gabass, the law would take its due course when the trial begins. When found guilty, he would do some jail time. But what happens to the victim whose future has been maimed in the most unimaginable fashion? Apart from the wicked rape of his innocence and childhood, he has the more serious problem of dealing with a strange sexual orientation that was visited upon him when he went about looking for genuine friendship. At the end of it all, he is also HIV positive.No amount of punishment for his assailant would be adequately placatory. Not even 2,340 years.

KwesiTawiah-Benjamin
[email protected]

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