Foreign Policy Blogs

The Shame of a Child

Imprisoned by the flesh

Raped of my spirit

Held captive by violence and fear

You cut me with your sword, disfigure me with your gun and scar me with your manhood

When will it end, when will you let me die?

No longer whole, no longer alive

I am nothing more than a dead soul trapped inside a body

Trapped in a body you seek to pillage for vengeance and greed

But I am only a child, what could I have done to deserve such hate?

Justice is no longer mine to hope for

Freedom is lost

The mind cannot forget the terrors you bestowed upon me

I live out my life sentence day after day, and face after face

No more do my tears spill, only my blood do I have left to wipe away

 

Author

Cassandra Clifford

Cassandra Clifford is the Founder and Executive Director of Bridge to Freedom Foundation, which works to enhance and improve the services and opportunities available to survivors of modern slavery. She holds an M.A., International Relations from Dublin City University in Ireland, as well as a B.A., Marketing and A.S., Fashion Merchandise/Marketing from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cassandra has previously worked in both the corporate and charity sector for various industries and causes, including; Child Trafficking, Learning Disabilities, Publishing, Marketing, Public Relations and Fashion. Currently Cassandra is conducting independent research on the use of rape as a weapon of war, as well as America’s Pimp Culture and its Impact on Modern Slavery. In addition to her many purists Cassandra is also working to develop a series of children’s books.

Cassandra currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metro area, where she also writes for the Examiner, as the DC Human Rights Examiner, and serves as an active leadership member of DC Stop Modern Slavery.


Areas of Focus:
Children's Rights; Human Rights; Conflict