14yo Rapist; 77yo Victim

[DanaC]

Fucking terrifying. At every level. What the hell is it like inside that boy's head?

This sort of case is always deeply troubling. he is a child. His brain has not yet fully formed, and in particular that part of the brain which allows us to understand the moral context of our actions, and relate them back to ourselves, as well as the ability to control our impulses.

Maybe this is one of those unfortunate (and dangerous) people for whom that part of the brain never works properly.

He is clearly, at this point a danger to society, and probably also to himself. But two years is a massive amount of time in terms of brain development in adolescents. It is possible that with supervision and counselling he could actually come through this and not be a danger to anyone.

Or, maybe he won't. Either way, at this present time, I don't think he can really be held fully accountable for his actions. Even a really grown-up seeming 14 year old is still in many ways a child. He's a boy.

*shakes head*

Disturbing.