A Current Case of Human Trafficking Where YOUR Voice Can Save the Life of a 7-Year-Old Little Girl

Warning: this may be the hardest of my stories you’ve read, but it is also one where your voice today could literally save one little girl.

Deimante Kedyte is seven years old. She lives with her aunt, a judge in Lithuania. The reason Deimante lives with her aunt is because her father was murdered after Deimante testified in court that her mother repeatedly sold her, forcing Deimante—from the age of five—into sexual activity with high-ranking Lithuanian government officials, for “lots of money”.

        Now Deimante’s aunt, Judge Neringa Venckiene, is caring for Deimante in her home. Avoiding all testimony against high-ranking government involvement, the Lithuanian judicial system is trying to force Deimante to return to her mother. Recently, more than 200 Lithuanian citizens surrounded her aunt’s home in a valiant effort to protect Deimante.

        Before his murder, and while facing apathy and injustice, Deimante’s father fought to protect her. He was accused of killing two of his daughter’s molesters but, since he was murdered before any real investigation could be done, we may never know what really transpired. Finally he resorted to videoing his daughter’s testimony, hoping the world would intervene on her behalf.

        While I do not presume to pass final judgments from afar, I have accumulated much data on this case and know only one thing: no child should be forced to return to a home where she claims such torturous events as Deimante does in this video http://vimeo.com/14331400 (strong warning: very disturbing and graphic testimony from this small child)

        The young cousin, which Deimante says was abused along with her, has now disappeared. Not only was her father murdered but several others who stepped forward to defend Deimante have either been committed to institutions for the insane or have simply disappeared.
   
        What is unimaginable is the fact that, in spite of five psychological examinations all stating that the child is not making up her accusations (as if a five to seven year old could even imagine this sort of thing had she not experienced it), there has not been one single charge filed against her mother or those who Deimante names as the pedophiles who raped her.
   
        Instead it is Deimante, a seven year old child who claims this abuse started at age five, who is on trial. Seven masked men usher the mother everywhere she goes. She knows too much to be left alone. What would Deimante’s fate be in this environment?

        We have a very narrow window of opportunity to stand in the gap for Deimante. A final court date is set to determine Deimante’s fate for this Friday, January 20^th.

        First, I am asking each and every one of you to send the letter you will find at this link: CLICK HERE to the key Lithuanian officials listed to follow.

Name: Dalia Grybauskaite

Title: President of Lithuania

To contact the president of Lithuania, follow these instructions:

1. Please click here:  http://www.president.lt/prezidentas/en/letter_to_the_president2.html
2. Cut and paste the sample letter from Kimberly into the “Message” box.
3. Enter your “First name”, “Last name” and “Email” into the proper fields
4. Next to the field requesting “Address” simply enter the City, State and Country where you live.  NO EXACT ADDRESS REQUIRED.
5. Enter the “Security Code” into the proper field.
6. Click Submit

To contact the following key leaders, please cut and paste the same letter into an email for each of them directly at:

Name: Remigijus Simasius

Title: Minister of Justice

Email: rastine@tm.lt

Name: Vitalijus Kondratjevas

Title: Ruling Judge in this case

Email: 22.teismas@teismai.lt

Name: Darius Valys

Title: Attorney General

Email: darius.valys@prokuraturos.lt

       
        Second, we’ve seen the power of the internet when you’ve e-blasted, tweeted, facebook share, blogged, and forwarded these prayers before. Let’s save a little girl’s life by the power of witnesses.

        Years ago, when we discovered our first child brothel in Portugal, International Justice Mission told us, “Just don’t leave! Stand up! Make as loud a noise as you can until the government knows you will not stop until the children are free.” It worked, and I am asking you to join in making the joyful noise of demanding Deimante’s protection.

We may not be able to save them all, but we have a clear path to step forward for this one—united we shout at the darkness until its very foundation crumbles,
k