Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Updated: September 11, am. In a small, windowless courtroom where bailiffs outnumbered spectators, a judge listened patiently to testimony from psychologists and other witnesses for almost a week, although a resolution to the case before him is a long way off.
The issue before District Judge George Larke is whether the people of Terrebonne Parish should pay money to a woman sexually abused at the age of 14 by a juvenile detention guard whose job was to keep her safe and, if so, how much. Department of Justice. Improper use of isolation cells, lack of supervision and accusations of guards exchanging candy and other favors in return for sex led to indictments and dismissals of staff. The age of consent in Louisiana is The defense is also offensive to sex assault victims everywhere.
Advocates — and attorneys for the girl — say it is impossible for a year-old to give any kind of consent to sex, especially within the walls of a detention center, to a man who controls her every move. Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said he could not comment on the case itself but expressed confidence in the work attorneys are doing on behalf of the parish.
Some parish officials told of the defense strategy expressed concern that attorneys for a community that prides itself on strides made combating sexual abuse and aiding youngsters who fall prey to it would take such an approach. Others say they understand the hardball tactic, noting their opinions on the baggage Mary Doe and other young women victimized at the detention center brought with them.
They come with problems and it is the job of the center that detains them, advocates say, to protect them from the likes of Vickers, no matter their social histories. All have to admit that it would be a peculiar rule that consent by a child could be a viable defense against civil liability when the exact conduct does not provide a defense to a defendant in a criminal case.
