CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center says it admires the bravery of the survivors following Thursday’s sentencing of Ariel Castro.
Castro was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 1,000 years.
The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center released the following statement Thursday afternoon:
Once again, we are struck by the bravery of Michelle, Gina and Amanda at today’s sentencing hearing. We are choosing to focus our energy on their inspiring words and actions.
Ariel Castro’s statement was predictable and mirrors what we have heard thousands of times before from other perpetrators. We are not interested in his cowardly excuses. Millions of people experience sexual violence in their lifetimes and never harm others.
Recently Michelle Knight wrote, “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, she became a butterfly.” Healing from sexual violence is possible. Today we remain as committed as ever to our mission to support survivors and promote the prevention of sexual violence.
Click here for additional coverage of Castro’s sentencing.
