Jezebel 
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New York, 3:43 AM
Wed Dec 2
68 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/02/09
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The Nancy Grace video someone posted below illustrates that, with her condescending to Elizabeth about how close she was being held captive, and didn't she hear anyone calling her name and want to cry out?
10/02/09
I hope juries would realize that when a man steals you out of your house in the dead of night, rapes you, and says he'll kill you and your family if you scream and you are only 14 years old, you're probably going to do what he says. I hesitate to use the word "brainwashed", but it was clear when she was recovered and for some time after her return, she was not herself.
10/02/09
Oh, she most certainly had Stockholm, and I think Nancy Grace was obnoxious in that clip---why yes, Nancy, I'm sure she did want to scream for help. Good call.--I was just agreeing with utensil42 that sometimes being strong and resilient in the face of these type of things can be used against you in court.
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While the circumstances of all rapes are not the same, considering how many women have been raped by men, probably a good many of us have healed. Rape is so common. Society would shut down if our trauma was insurmountable.
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Also, Elisha Cuthbert would totally play her in a Lifetime movie. The resemblence is uncanny.
10/02/09
It's reprehensible that so many twisted kidnappers seem to justify their sexual and physical abuse with religious talk. And it's an automatic prelude to an insanity plea in most cases. If he had been singing itsy bitsy spider and calling the judge a fucker, I'm sure no one would be doubting his sanity.
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I am not sure where she gets her strength from- be it her support system, her faith, whatever- but we should all be so fortunate. I know so many who have been completely shattered by so much less.
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As for the new details about what that man did to her, I truly have no words.
10/02/09
You do have strength; you're still here. xoxo
10/02/09
And don't say you "let" this control your life. Rape is an incredible trauma and we don't exactly live in a culture that recognizes that. I'm sure you're doing the best you can.
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Either way, I can't imagine a child having to know they were borne of this. I shudder at the thought of it.
I read the testimony on the Salt Lake Tribune Web site yesterday and how he "married" her and then raped her-she had to have known what was coming. Oh god I'm about to cry thinking of it.
10/02/09
There were rumors that the family denied that she *was* pregnant when she was finally found, mostly because she looked a lot "curvier" than before she was kidnapped, but then looked less curvy a week later when her hometown welcomed her back.
Regardless, she has come through this remarkably well it seems, and I do hope her family has allowed her to be open enough about her experience and not just repressed it (her father has always rubbed me the wrong way for some reason).
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[www.youtube.com]
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Her apology after Elizabeth Smart tells her that she doesn't appreciate being grilled on the particulars (for those who can't watch vid at work): I`m sorry, dear. I thought that you would speak out to other victims. But you know what? I completely understand. A lot of victims don`t want to talk about it and don`t feel like talking about it.
It is as though she feels Ms. Smart has some sort of obligation to behave in a certain way. I find so many people have expectations for how victims should behave or what victims owe other people. Elizabeth Smart and I are the same age; I know I would never have her strength in a similar situation. I am extremely humbled that she has chosen to be a public advocate. But she has no obligation to anyone - no victim does. This mindset drives me insane.
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Elizabeth, I think I saw an eye roll on your part and I love you just that much more for it.
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