Monday, continued …Meanwhile heading to the police station
Amanda Mei was keeping busy trying to keep the girls who called themselves calm. It was easy for her to see that they were terrified with what was about to happen. Despite everything they all had been through and ordeal in the last twelve months. Amanda knew that she and Anna were asking them to relive what had happened again, with the potential for court proceedings at the end.
However, strangely being together was also keeping each of them calm. They were the others support network, and did not care about the abuse, their ties before the abuse was what was important.
Amanda, simply sat there quietly watching the three girls in the car, interacting with them when necessary. She wondered how she was going to handle this. Did she stay with the girl that was being interviewed and leave the other two together alone; let the police talk to one alone or try and talk the police into talking to the girls together, so that the had support?
The latter was what she believed was the best way to proceed. She remembered her University Degree and covering criminal law. That position was contrary to all investigation process. The question she had was how did the needs of the victim play into that? Who could help her to figure out how to proceed.
She knew that Anna did not want to have to deal with the police, and given what happened to her that was understandable. Maybe Hou Yi could help her.
She knew that unlike everyone other that Anna who worked in the legal department she was lucky she had the big boss mobile number. Other than Anna no one knew that she had that number, and it was only after she and Yao Tan married that she was even given the privilege. She sent Hou Yi a message
"Boss, I need some help by someone experienced with the criminal law, as to how to deal with the two girls being spoke to by the police. They are terrified, and the last thing that I want to do is have that added to. Anna would know what to do, but she is not here and she made it clear given the circ.u.mstances that she did not want to really be involved with anything at the police station."
While waiting for a response she kept an eye on the three girls. The closer they were getting to the police station the more each of them were trying to become invisible. The terror that they were feeling was increasing..
"Girls. It is OK. We are going to do everything we can to make sure that you are safe. Remember you are brave. You want to say this stops with me."
That sent a wave to tears down their eyes. "Girls do not cry. Madam Hou, Anna told me that the hardest thing when confronting someone has hurt you is actually staying that I have had enough. I am going to say no more of this, and I am strong in saying that. She had to admit that her former partner had abused her throughout a five year relations.h.i.+p, physically, emotionally and financially."
"But do you know what Madam Hou has told me. That was the worst thing she had ever been through and ever hoped to go through, but it has lead her to her reality. She met her husband, and that is something that she would not change. Her abuser and his actions let her find the love of her live. Something good can come from something bad, sometimes it just takes time to see that happen."
"But she is an adult" said Joan.
"Joan, yes she is an adult but she was actually younger that you when she met her ex. Yes there was a few years from there before their relations.h.i.+p but he started the manipulation of her at that time. But she is right. It will make you. You will be stronger than you ever think, because you have taken that stand."
"But if that is not enough to convince you, six months ago, at a charity function where the country"s president was even in attendance, my now step-daughter was manipulated into going into a darker area, and she was forcibly taken away and repeatedly raped."
"She has had the courage to speak the police and is willing to pursue having the persons who a.s.saulted her criminally charged. In confronting that she has met the man she fell in love with, and has married. He does not blame her for what happened. He sees it for what it is, a crime, and does not care. He is so proud of her for taking that stand and will be with her throughout the the process."