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Today, we went to the sentencing hearing for Minnie's grandfather, where he was sentenced to two 10-year prison terms, to be served consecutively. There was much to observe from a psychological perspective.
First of all, Minnie herself. Minnie is Penny's twelve-year-old sister, and her grandfather molested her, beginning when Minnie was 7 years old, and continuing until Minnie was around 11. Minnie finally decided to come out and tell someone about this on March 3rd of this year. Today's hearing was the conclusion of a long and painful journey. Through all of this, Minnie has shown remarkable strength and maturity for a girl of 12, and today was no exception. She cried, but then again, we all did. Each and every one of us. Minnie's victim impact statement was truly amazing. She addressed her grandfather calmly, collectedly, with poise and maturity well beyond her years. Even the judge remarked on this, before giving the sentence. Even though she puts on such a strong public face, Minnie is suffering greatly. She tries to be strong, but she can't always be strong. But today she was beautiful, inspiring.
And then, Minnie's grandfather. If I could type words with a disgusted tone, I would do so here. He has no remorse, and even declined to make a statement, simple saying, "I don't figure as anything I say is gonna make any difference, so I'll just keep silent." Throughout the two victim impact statements we heard today, he showed not one sign of emotion. Everyone but the lawyers and the judge were in tears, and he had no emotions. He is a sick man, and deserves more than this sentence.
And, finally, our reactions.
Penny's: She cried the whole time. She feels so hurt and lost, and her power of empathy made this extremely difficult to sit through. She hardly knows how to feel about all this. As Minnie stated, everything used to be so happy. Camping, weekend visits. Penny had looked upon this man as a grandfather, even though Minnie and herself are only step-sisters. And now Penny feels betrayed, shattered, even more unwilling to trust anyone, especially men. She's dealing with it by listening to music and meditating, and channeling the rest of us, to help her sort it all out.
Mine: I surprised myself. I don't usually get upset or emotional, I am always calm and rational. But today, I cried with the rest of them. I was observing, and what I observed made me sick and sad. But I still wanted to help. I wanted to help Minnie, give her the therapy she desperately needs at this point. I wanted to help Shari, Minnie's mother, Penny's stepmother. Shari's family has been torn apart over this, and she's stood by her daughter. I wanted to help Shari's mom, who has supported her husband through all of this. I want so badly to help her rebuild a relationship with Shari and Minnie, because that's what Minnie wants. And most of all, I wanted just one day with Minnie's grandfather, in a therapy session, to MAKE him break down, and MAKE him feel the gravity of what he's done. To MAKE him show that he is sorry. The most terrifying part of being able to get inside a person's mind is knowing how to make them break down. A therapist could even make someone go insane. I would want just half a day to BREAK him. Make him SUFFER over what he did. Push him until he can't pretend it was nothing, until he just CAN'T say it didn't happen and that he isn't sorry. Until he BREAKS. I am dealing with today's events by writing this, and by analyzing the reactions.
Athena Black: She cried, too. She has such a naive view of the world that when horrible things like this happen, she can't cope with them very well. She turns into a little child again, unable to understand, but sad none the less. She's coping by walking through her forest, painting and drawing.
Athena Love: She was absolutely sobbing. She reacted most violently, and she considered suicide when she got home today, and is still considering it. She cut herself again, and now is just laying in the dark.
Summer: This one is complicated. Summer was sexually abused for many years of her childhood, and never told an adult the way Minnie did. She's been considering telling someone all day, but she refuses to put her family through any more stress, because this has caused enough. Summer honestly wanted to attack him as he left the courtroom, but the rest of us held her down. She's out with friends right now, rethinking her life. She's realizing how much she still has left, how much she's just tossing out the window. This will be a time of metamorphosis for Summer. She's considering breaking up with Justin, because she feels like she needs to be on her own for now.
Demence: His reaction is unknown. I don't even think he was present for the trial, and if he was, I didn't sense him. I think that, due to his nature of being emotionless, Penny simply didn't allow him in her head, because she cares too much, and doesn't want to NOT care about this. However, I think she will find his utter lack of emotion useful when she tries to fall asleep tonight, so she doesn't have nightmares.