I have a brother with mental retardation. Two and a half years ago he was raped by another resident at the boarding home the hospital sent him to. The DA's office refused to prosecute because the perpetrator is schizophrenic, and the defense would have him declared unfit to stand trial. Although he initally said that nothing happened, my brother said he was "afraid of Jim." After he finally told my mother what had happened, he started claiming he was dead. Since he is highly suggestable, we believe that he was told "If you tell, you're dead." Turns out the previous roommates had problems with the guy...and four out of the six had problems of a sexual nature. Thank you NM mental health system! Thank you NM justice system!

Know what the real kicker is? When I searched for support sites for victims and family members of rape among the mentally disabled, I found NOTHING...but a huge movement to stop rape in prisons. Frankly, if you are scum, and you are in prison with other scum I don't CARE if you get raped.

Until my brother's rape, I didn't realize my capacity for hatred. I used to dream about hunting this perverted dirtbag down and scaring the s*** out of him - literally. And letting him live with the knowledge of the kind of fear he put into my brother. Maybe shooting him in the balls and leaving him non-functional so he felt the pain my brother felt and could never ever rape another person again.

I hate Jim for what he did to my brother. I hate him for what he did to my family, and I hate him for the poison he brought into my own character. I hope to God that the investigation turns up enough evidence to proscecute him. And I take a certain savage satisfaction in knowing that if he goes to prison, he will likely be raped. And I hope he is.