Sex crime victim, 14, says she understands why victims hesitate to come forward

A 14-year-old girl who a man attempted to bugger when she was 11 says she now understands why some victims of crime do not speak out.

The child’s comments were captured in the victim impact statement cited by the High Court on Tuesday as her assailant, Delanio Baptiste, 34, was sentenced for the offence.

Baptiste, who faced a maximum of 10 years in prison, was sentenced to three years and eight months for his crime.

The child reported the assault to her mother, who informed the police, resulting in Baptiste being charged.

In handing down his sentence, Justice Richard Floyd said that the child said that she has never received counselling since she was assaulted.

However, she no longer lives in the area where the assault took place and is, therefore, quite happy about this.

The report quoted the victim as saying that while what Baptiste did was wrong, she has forgiven him.

The social worker who prepared the report said that the victim’s ability to forgive her assistant despite the harm he has caused her reflects a maturity and understanding that belies her years but did not diminish the need for justice.

“The victim impact statement indicates the victim does not like to discuss what happened because it is upsetting,” the judge quoted the report as saying.

“The victim feels that the stigma attached to her is unfair,” the report said.

Justice Floyd said the court was troubled to note that the young victim stated that she now understands why people who are victims of crime may hesitate to come forward.

The court is disappointed that rather than being supported and encouraged, this victim is adrift …” the judge said.

“It illustrates the enormous impact that crimes of sexual violence can have upon the victims and their families,” the judge said.