OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — Kids' Harbor, a local organization that helps families and children that have suffered from domestic and sexual abuse, has spoken out about the release of admitted child rapist Aaron Michael Fisher. Fisher was released from jail this week, after his six-year-long trial was dismissed by a judge who felt his constitutional right to a speedy trial had been denied.

The dismissal occurred exactly one month before Fisher was set to stand trial; he had formerly confessed to sodomizing his infant daughter, court documents reveal.

Read more about the case:

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the day after Fisher walked free, Kids' Harbor released the following statement:

Over the course of the past few days, much has been printed, shared and analyzed via social media, in the press and within many community conversations about the dismissal of charges and the release of  Aaron Michael Fisher.  Kids’ Harbor, like so many in our community, was shocked by this decision.  The agency has actively followed the events of the past few days. It is our belief that this is still an active case within the court system.  The Miller County Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Winfrey has announced he is working to file an appeal in the case.  In order to protect the integrity of the case and the confidentiality of the child victim and family, we will not comment directly to the allegations against Mr. Fisher or to any specific information about this case.

Working on the front lines of child abuse allegations, there are some things we know about our criminal justice system.  Sometimes it runs smoothly; cases move through the system quickly and sentences are handed down by Judges on a regular basis.  Other times however, it is a complex, tedious process to understand.  For those who don’t work and deal with the system on a daily basis, it can be difficult to navigate.  The public hears words thrown out such as an arraignment hearing, preliminary hearing, grand jury hearing, a 491, motions to dismiss, motions for a change of venue, depositions, jury trials and many, many more.  While each of these hearings has a specific purpose and time, imagine yourself as a victim trying to navigate this system and understand each step of the process.

So often we hear about the alleged perpetrator/defendant and their rights.  The criminal justice system works at every turn to ensure the perpetrator’s rights are protected.  If those rights are violated, the consequences are serious for all of those involved. Unfortunately, what we don’t hear as much about are the rights of the victim.  When we do hear about victims, it is often an adult victim who has chosen to speak out in the media or the public.  Unfortunately, child victims are often overlooked by a system which was designed for adults.    I ask you, how are the rights of child victims protected by and through the criminal justice system?  In addition to the child victims, what about their non-offending caregivers?  They too are victims of the perpetrator of the crime against the child.

While some aspects of the criminal justice process are improving in respect to child victims, children are still asked to appear to testify in preliminary hearings, depositions, and jury trials.  Often times, these children are scared to sit in the same room as the person who hurt them, let alone have to tell strangers every horrific detail of a crime that happened two, three or five years ago.  Developmentally, the abuse may not have happened at a point in time that the child has any memory of the abuse.  Many of the cases Kids’ Harbor is involved in take an average of 24-36 months to reach a jury trial and have final disposition in the case.  This means the child and their non-offending caregivers cannot move forward from their victimization; they must continue to relive and retell what has happened to them.  For those cases that are not completed in the typical 24-36 months, children may not go to court for four, five or even nine years.  Some children may be subjected to testifying at multiple jury trials over the course of a five year time period.  Unfortunately in our experience, we have seen this reality all to often.

At Kids’ Harbor, we offer forensic interviews to minimize the number of times a child must tell their story.  A forensic interview is a developmentally sensitive and legally sound method of gathering factual information regarding allegations of abuse or exposure to violence.  While the interview does not take the place of a child’s testimony, as defendants have the right to face and question their accusers, the interview minimizes the number of times children must talk to investigators and retell their story.

Kids’ Harbor works with children, ages 0-18, and their non-offending caregivers throughout the criminal justice process.  Our advocates help these children and their non-offending caregivers navigate the system and prepare for each stage of the process.  The children are provided tours of the courtroom, an opportunity to meet the prosecuting attorney and an opportunity to ask questions to help alleviate any fears they may have about facing their accuser in court.  The advocate accompanies the child to court and acts as a support in the back of the courtroom, out of the way of the proceedings, as the child is testifying.

So again, I ask you, what about the rights of the victims?  Children who are victims of crime often don’t get the right to a speedy trial.  They often appear to testify only to find out the case has been continued for any number of reasons.  The child may have had to miss an important test at school, a friend’s birthday party, picture day or any number of important events to them.  While, many times prosecuting attorneys will work with children and their non-offending caregivers to come up with the most convenient time for the child to testify,  unfortunately, that isn’t often possible and the child misses another day of school or summer or winter break.

The facts are the criminal justice system is not perfect.  There is still work to be done.  Children should NEVER suffer from abuse.  Kids’ Harbor will continue our mission to provide coordinated response, healing and prevention of child abuse.  We will continue to provide forensic interviews and medical exams, advocacy and counseling.  We will march along side of each community member who invests and truly believes in the safety and security of children.  Together we must continue to stand up for these children and advocate for their rights in a system designed for adults.

To learn more about Kids’ Harbor, Inc., visit our website at www.kidsharbormo.org


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