WASHINGTON — The death penalty is unconstitutional as a punishment for the rape of a child, a sharply divided Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday.

 The 5-to-4 decision overturned death penalty laws in Louisiana and five other states. The only two men in the country who have been sentenced to death for the crime of child rape, both in Louisiana, will receive new sentences of life without parole.

The court went beyond the question in the case to rule out the death penalty for any individual crime — as opposed to “offenses against the state,” like treason or espionage — “where the victim’s life was not taken.”

This poem I read from a book called Afraid by Sharon McGovern: I found it very helpful, for anyone who has gone through anything like this I pray this Poem will give you hope and maybe help in some way.  She started this at the age of about 5 and finished when she was in her thirties.  If you get a chance to read this book you should.  It is not a book of poems, it is a inspiring story of a young child's survival.

 

MENTAL/PHYSICAL

The window without a view from which I stare each day

Shows nothing but blank spaces, while children outside play

But me, I feel so different you can see it in my eyes

I didn't dare to tell the truth in a silence filled with lies,

I know how I loved him, and I thought he loved me too,

Until one night, in awesome fright, he bruised me through and through.

He raped my mind and body, and made me scared of things to come.

I was buried in dark shadows and could not reach my mum.

He thinks he's got away with it, but one day he will pay,

It happened many years ago and it's time I had my say.

How I hate my stepdad, and I realise he's no good,

He's never been repentant, or even understood.

Why should I be punished? Why should I take the blame?

Or be silenced by convention, to suit the adult game?

Now I am a woman, fully grown, and my story must be believed:

Daddy stole my viriginity, and he's never grieved.

He ravished my mind and body, and he pandered to his lust,

Then left me as a lifeless doll, as all paedophiles must.

Now I hate my daddy, and the cross he nailed to me.

I've exorcised my ghosts, and finally I am free.

Though i'll never find the innocence that was robbed from my childhood bed.

Never know who I should have been, or the life I may have led,

I found a strength that was deep within,

To survive this monster and not let him in.

So if you understand me, please understand my pain.

Don't let your past rape you once again.

Be proud of who you are and what you have achieved.

I can feel your pain, and yes you are believed.

You are a wonderful person, you've survived and you've pulled through.

There's only one thing now you have to understand.

EVERYONE LOVES YOU.