The Case of Bresha Meadows

15 Year Old Bresha Meadows

I recently came across the case of 15 year old Bresha Meadows, the Ohio girl accused of killing her father last July.  Bresha's case received international attention after she shot her father, whom multiple family members describe as an extremely violent man who abused his wife and their children for years.  After spending the last ten months in jail, Bresha accepted a plea deal today that will allow her to be transferred to a mental health facility, avoid further jail time and be eligible for release early next year.  

In too many cases, victims of domestic violence are punished for defending themselves and there are scores

of women currently serving long sentences for killing their abusers.   Many women who kill their abusive partners fear for their lives on a daily basis and retaliate in a last-ditch effort to save themselves or their children. Bresha's mother Brandi, recalled years of abuse witnessed by her children and the fear that one day her husband would kill them all:

"In the 17 years of our marriage, he has cut me, broke my ribs, fingers, the blood vessels in my hand, my mouth, blackened my eyes.  I believe my nose was broken," Brandi Meadows wrote. "If he finds us, I am 100 percent syre he will kill me and the children.  My life is like living in a box he created for me and if I stepped out of that box he was there to put me back in." ~ Bresha's Mother, Brandi Meadows  

Statistics show that an overwhelming majority of girls in the criminal justice system are exposed to, or victims of family violence, whether physical or sexual in nature.  These girls are then left with mental health issues that often go untreated, perpetuating a cycle of victimization, substance use and imprisonment that follows them into adulthood. Its a well known fact that childhood abuse begins a pathway that can lead to violence and incarceration and Bresha's case highlights an extreme example of the outcomes these girls could be facing.

Bresha's case also highlights the need for trauma-informed responses to "criminal" behaviors like running away and other coping mechanisms abused girls employ.  Our first response for these girls should not be arrest and incarceration, but interventions that begin to heal the wounds they are living with.  Although Bresha will be going home soon, she will no doubt require intensive therapy and support as she begins to restart her life.  It's up to us to make sure that these girls receive the support they need as they attempt to undo the effects of the trauma they have experienced.        

Case in Point: Meet Moussa

Not Moussa

Moussa is a 19 year old from Ivory Coast, who recently came here after his mother worked for years in a braid shop until she could bring her children here one by one.  He arrived here last month and speaks only French and Dioula, the dialect spoken in his town.

Living in West Philadelphia, he will be required to attend one of the neighborhood high schools and let me tell you, they both leave a lot to be desired.

In Ivory Coast, he went as far as the 11th grade, but will be required to begin in the 9th grade here, the grade where everyone else will be 14, while he is basically a grown man, walking the same hallways as children.

I spoke to one of my colleagues about the situation, a woman who immigrated from Haiti decades ago.  I told her I was concerned about how Moussa will fare in high school and especially concerned about how the other kids will treat him, considering he can't speak the language and he looks and acts different than everyone else.  She told me that its very hard for children coming here from other countries and that most of the kids end up fighting in response to the merciless bullying they experience. Many children also report discrimination from their teachers who assume they are less intelligent than other students, making many of the children feel "invisible" in school.

The experience of immigration in and of itself has been shown to have negative impacts on children.  When that experience is coupled with discrimination and bullying, the child can experience negative outcomes that last into adulthood.

What can we do?

For now, I'll do my best to help Moussa and his family with the process of applying to school and ensuring that he is placed where his needs will be met AND that his school officials are aware of what he might be facing there.  I'll also refer the family to a welcoming group for people from his country, where he can interact with people his age who have adjusted to being in the US.  I'll do my part to the best of my ability, but I'm concerned that its just not enough.      

Case in Point: Meet Alexis

Alexis is a 14 year old girl from New York.  She was referred to you by her pediatrician after a positive Chlamydia test and concerns about cutting school and problems in the home.  The doctor also mentions an issue with sexual abuse previously reported to the authorities.  

Two months ago, Alexis left New York to live with her father, after revealing that she had been raped by the mother's boyfriend when she was 12.  Alexis's mother chose not to believe her, leading Alexis to move to Philadelphia with her father and step-mother, who previously lived alone.  During the interview, Alexis tells you she is not sexually active and has no boyfriend.  She explains that when she was absent from class 50 times she was in the counselor's office working on anger management.  She mentions tension between herself and the step-mother, saying that the step-mother doesn't respect her and she feels that it may come to blows between the two of them.

When describing the situation, Alexis is sweet and engaging, she laughs when appropriate and listens intently as questions are asked.  She cries when the subject of her abuse arises and becomes very angry when her mother's reaction is mentioned.  In the end, she says that she thinks counseling would be helpful for her to move forward and that she is willing to work with her new family.
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"I can't believe she chose him over me.  She's supposed to be my mother."

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Alexis was brought to the office by her step-mother, who describes a completely different scenario.  From what she says, Alexis has been sending and receiving sexually explicit text messages, sneaking out of the house at night and bringing boys home during the day when she cuts class.  They took her cell phone as punishment only to find another one that her boyfriend gave her; and when they confronted her, the argument almost turned into a fight. Alexis' father desperately wants to get his daughter some help, but her behavior has turned the house into a "war zone."

Where do we start with this family?  What should we do FIRST with Alexis?