My New Family

Victim's Statement

Amber’s POV

I sat on a park bench, and thought. I had no idea what I was going to do. What would my parents do if they found out I reported them? What would happen to them? Where would I go? Would this police officer really try and help me? I never meant to make him feel guilty.. I’m just tired of all this shit. I want it all to end. I checked the time on my phone, and saw that it was already 9:30. At that very moment, I received a phone call.

“Hello?” I said, confused. Nobody ever called me.

“It’s Officer Mike Richardson; whom you were just speaking to at the Newmarsh Police Station; would it be possible for you to come back to the station for a victims statement?”

“Uhh sure..” I said, surprised.

“Thank-you Miss”

*BEEP*

I smiled, and thought to myself; I knew he would help me. I grabbed my stuff and ran all the way there.

My face was red and I was puffing by the time I got back to the station, I looked a wreck. Officer Mike saw me walk through the doors and called me over. He had a video camera set up on a tripod, facing a stool, sat in front of a plain, blue, cloth, background. He asked me to sit down, and told me that he would be asking me some questions. He warned me to answer them all truthfully, and to stay calm and collected. I took a deep breath, and he started recording.

At the start of the filming, Officer Mike stated my name and a 6 digit number, and the questions started.

Has any member of your family every hurt you in any way?

“Yes..” I said, slowly.

How?

“I’ve been sexually harassed and physically abused by my family.” I said uncomfortably.

What specific things have they done?

“My dad and uncle have touched me inappropriately, groped me, and raped me, multiple times. My mother has pushed me down stairs, shoved me into walls, whipped me with belts, and hit me repeatedly.”

Have you, or have you ever had any marks from this abuse? 

“Yes,” I said quietly. I cleared my throat, turned around, and lifted my shirt up. My back was bruised, brown and blue. I rubbed my makeup off my face to reveal a dark black eye. “These were from the last time my mother pushed me down the stairs.” I pulled up my sleeves to show my cut up wrists. “And my father restrains me when he sexually abuses me.. “I whispered, starting to tear up.

The officer looked at me with sympathetic eyes, and nodded. He turned the camera off, got me a tissue, and said understandingly “I know this is hard, but it’s going to help make sure they get the punishment they deserve.” I nodded and mumbled, “Thank-you for being so caring, and I’m sorry I yelled before. I know none of this is your fault and you’re just trying to help.”

“I’m sorry I can’t do more.” He said with a miserable voice.

I then said goodbye, and left the station for the second time that day. It was 10:14 now; and I decided that I had to be brave and face my ultimate fear. I had to go home. (not that I can even call it that)

I opened my GPS and followed it, dawdling. I finally reached my house, and just.. looked at it for a few minutes, too scared to go inside. I then took a very deep breath, swallowed, my stomach doing flip flops as I turned the knob. Open as usual.. I sighed to myself. I pulled open the door…