Something that has crossed my mind recently is that had her life not been stolen from her and she had reached 13 years of age, Maddie would have been able to utilize psychiatric and medical services without the consent of a parent or guardian and that could have potentially helped save her life or report her step and prevent further harm to her person while holding him accountable.
For example, at 13 Maddie could have reached out to the crisis intervention services and psychiatric and counseling services without the risks of her confidentiality being breached or mother or stepfather finding out. These services could have also given her the opportunity to discuss or disclose the sexual assault, abuse and exploitation at home safely and privately.
She would have also been allowed to utilize sexual heath services without the consent of a parent and guardian and could have also given her the opportunity to disclose the rape, sexual assault and abuse at home and document not only her statements but any signs or symptoms of the abuse that could later be used in court or with child protective services as they attempt to protect Maddie.
Since these health providers are also mandated reporters the hope would be that not only Maddie receive the support and any treatment that she needs but that SS is held accountable by the court of law, Maddie’s safety is secured, even if means removing her from home to stay to someplace safer and that Maddie gets the justice deserved and her voice is heard.
I just really wish she had the chance but SS’s audacity and evilness took that, along with her life and the many opportunities she could have had in it as she got older, from her and he had absolutely no right to do so.
www.fcasv.org
Primary Prevention Activities and Victim Services
www.floridahealth.gov
