Research on abuse should be centered in Lewes
Lewes pediatrician Earl Bradley shuffled into court last week, looking more like a child on the first day of school than a man whose crimes have torn the heart of an entire community.
His eyes moved immediately to his seat; he did not appear to catch the eye of a single person in the courtroom.
He sat facing the judge, only the back of his head visible to victim family members crowding the courtroom to hear Judge William C. Carpenter deliver his verdict.
Barely a sound could be heard as the judge quietly explained he had viewed the videotaped evidence. Police had testified some tapes showed Bradley violently raping and assaulting tiny children until they couldn’t breathe.
In stark contrast to the violence of the crimes, the trial ended quietly.
Not with a bang, and not even a whimper.
The verdict will now be appealed, yet family members could take a measure of comfort in the fact that a judge looked at the evidence and declared Bradley guilty.
Still, can a life behind bars for the perpetrator of such horrific crimes in any way balance the scales of justice for these victims or their families? There is no retribution that fits these crimes, and there is likely no peace for survivor families. Legal recourse can do little to lighten their burden.
Cape Region residents should join with families of Bradley survivors to demand creation of a center for specialized treatment for abuse survivors and for research into all aspects of this violent crime. Taking action against future crimes can help our community heal and perhaps help survivors find solace.
How will Bradley’s crimes affect children as they grow older? What therapies will help them heal? How can teachers assist survivors as they move through school? Beyond that, how does a person become such a brutal attacker? How can the cycle of abuse be identified and broken? What behaviors should have alerted us, as a society, that abuse was occurring?
The Cape Region has suffered a case of horrific abuse. Our community should now lead the way in studying this crime and treating its aftermath, demanding the answers that can lead toward healing and prevention.
