By Katie McDonough
A Louisiana parish is arguing that it should not be held liable for the rape of a 14-year-old girl in a juvenile detention center because the victim “consented” to be sexually assaulted by a 40-year-old corrections officer at the facility.
The victim, now 20, filed a civil lawsuit against her assailant, former guard Angelo Vickers, as well as Terrebonne Parish.
The age of consent in Louisiana is 17, but court documents allege that “Vickers could not have engaged in sexual relations within the walls of the detention center with [the victim] without cooperation from her. Vickers did not use force, violence or intimidation when engaging in sexual relations.”
In a comment on the case to the Tri-County Times, an anonymous official also remarked that the 14-year-old should share the blame for her assault, explaining: “These girls in the detention center are not Little Miss Muffin,” an anonymous official told the Tri-Parish Times as a comment on the case.”
Attorneys for the young woman — supported by victim rights advocates — argue that consent is not possible in this case.
