The Solider Husband - Chapter 609

9 June, Central Police Station, City K

John sat calmly in a vacant office awaiting the return of the senior officer from the S.e.xual Offences Unit.  Bronwyn, sitting beside him, her head leaning on his left shoulder quietly said “You promise me, you are not hiding things?”

Turning, and gently lifting her head, so he could look her directly in the eyes, John said “No.  This is long overdue.  The strangest thing I have realised in the last couple of days in dealing with this is that I had the courage to make the statement, the shame of being a victim made me hide from the truth.”

“No, you just were not ready…”

“Likely.  I keep telling myself, that I know better.  My training made me aware of the statistics that the sooner a perpetrator is charged after they commit these types of offences, the more likely it is that they are convicted.  I also had the training on how to deal with victims of such offences, so know in myself what help is there and what I can do.  But I know the reality.  Most victims never get justice.  That is either because in coming to terms with what happened sees them delay going to the police to report it until the law bars action being taken or those victims whose perpetrators can be pursued under the law do not want to go into a court room, because any case sees them put on trial…”

“Victim blaming.  I hate that tactic, even as a lawyer, but it is tried and tested, and works to scare many victims away from having the authorities pursue justice for them.”  Bronwyn looked careful in John’s eyes before adding “There is something else?”

“You already know me well, my love.  My parents, while they are seeming on the surface to accept, I do not blame them, still are blaming themselves.  I just cannot see how I can get them away from that view.”

“There is no need to worry.  Before we left, my mother informed me she was going to stay for a few days in the visiting officer quarters on base and spend time with your mother.  I was surprised on how she, along with my Uncles and Cousins processed what happened.”

“I think that was your Uncle Zachery that drove that?”

“That would have played in the mix.  You know, like I do about what can happen with s.e.x.u.a.l offences on University Campuses, so Uncle Robert would understand that.  But more likely it is Uncle Xavier and Uncle Thomas.  I remember when they took over the family company and the changes they made.  As the only female in my generation of the family I was proud that they made it company policy to support victims of s.e.x.u.a.l offences.  Apparently, Uncle Thomas and Uncle Xavier forced it through, when they stumbled on a senior manager abusing a junior secretary.  They fired the manger on the spot, but the woman was so terrified because of what happened, she never reported it.”

“So…?”

“No question my family would believe you.  My father will be sceptical, but neither of us would expect anything different.  How he ends up dealing with it, will somewhat depend on mother, but also will depend on me.  So, I think he will deal with it in his own way.”

John shook his head.  From the few interactions he had with General Li, if that was the outcome, he would be highly surprised.  This was a man that was overprotective of his daughter and would see dealing with this as a threat to her safety.  The question would be, how much Matthew would influence his actions?  That was the unknown, because trying to even get a little understanding of how he felt about the situation was impossible today.

Suddenly it dawned on John what Bronwyn had said earlier “Your mother thinks she will achieve something?”

“She said she will try.  If it was someone she did not know, I would say she had no chance, but because of their childhood friendship I give her a chance.”

Bronwyn reached and touched John’s face before saying “Are you ready for what they talked about?”

“I am.  As soon as they have arrested her the plan is for a general press conference, more to cut off the rumours, but to call for any of her victims to come forward.  I suspect none will, because what man wants to admit that he was groomed and s.e.x.u.a.lly abused by an older woman.  If it gets even one victim to come forward, then it is worth it.”

Bronwyn nodded, but before she could respond, there was a knock on the door, and a uniform police officer said, “She has been arrested, and the press conference is about to start sir.”

John turned to Bronwyn who said “Go for it.  Know that you have my support.”

Without waiting for a response, Bronwyn stood up, and headed out the door.  John, paused for a few seconds to gather himself together, before following the uniform officer to outside the press room, where he met with the officers from the S.e.xual Offences unit for a brief discussion before they all headed into the press room.

Stepping up to the microphone, John looked around the press room, and spotted Bronwyn leaning against the back wall.  Taking a breath, John calmly spoke “Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, thank you for coming at such a late hour.  My name is John Nang, I am the police military liaison officer here, and for those wondering I am the son of Harry and Sally Nang.  The members of the S.e.xual Offences Unit behind me, because of this background in straddling law enforcement and for want of a take questions, we will be limited on what can specifically be said about active investigations.”

“We can confirm that within the last hour the arrested of the former wife of CEO Kevin Mo for two distinct matters.  Firstly, for repeated breaches of the restraining order against her protecting her daughter Abigail.  Secondly, for historical s.e.x.u.a.l offences against two victims who have come forward, which is being pursued by those behind me.  They will explain the legal intricacies about such charges, but due to having a similar background to those victims who have come forward I am here to make an appeal those men groomed and manipulated by her to come forward.  Tell your story.”

“S.e.xual offences are not limited to any so-called social classes, nor are they males preying on females.  They can happen to anyone, regardless of their background, regardless of their gender and regardless of the perpetrator.  In the end, and these officers will agree, they are about the abuse of power in the circ.u.mstance of the offending.  It is only when people, who take the support offered come forward that such behaviour can be stopped.”

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