Schultz/AP- Rowan Towers in Trenton, N.J., the site of a party where a 7-year-old girl was gang-raped after being ‘sold’ by her step-sister, 15.

In a horrific story reported by The NY Daily News, a 7 year old New Jersey girl was apparently pimped out by her 15 year old sister at a party that took place in Trenton’s Rowan Towers.

According to reports, the 15 year old step-sister began selling herself to some of the young men at the party and then gave her 7 year old sister some of her earnings to let the young men “touch” her. What began as touching quickly turned into assault and rape of the young girl with the assailants threatening the youngster if she screamed or told anyone.  

Trenton Police Captain Joseph Juniak was left at a loss for words, “You don’t even know what to say”, he said. “It’s incomprehensible”.

The assault happened on Sunday and the girls’ parents were talking with the police about their missing children when the 7 yr old was brought home by 2 good Samaritans. The older sister evidently was still at the party.

Because of her age, the 15 yr. old girl’s name has not been released to the public but she has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, promoting prostitution, and other crimes.

It is stories like these that make me shake my head and ask “What is happening to our youth?” Why would a 15 year old think that this was acceptable behavior and why would young men engage in such activities with a 7yr old child? Was there not someone at the party sane enough to say “this is wrong”? And where was the adult supervision at this “party”? There are so many questions to be asked and not enough answers.

The actions of the youngsters makes me wonder if it’s a reflection of the children’s upbringing and parental role models or  is it a lack of parental figures, poor economic status, and all of the other issues that plague our inner city communities. This story is so disheartening but it also serves as a reminder that more attention has to be paid to inner city communities. If this is what kids are doing to keep themselves entertained or to make a quick dollar then the future of our youth is at risk. This is not acceptable behavior and for these children to think it is shows that there is something lacking in the home, in their schools, and in the community as a whole.

It’s no secret that sex permeates every inch of media from TV, to movies, to music, and every thing in between. Sex is often glorified and the internet has become the gateway drug to all things naughty. The popularity and success of the internet now makes it easier for children to gain access to x-rated material that they otherwise wouldn’t have access to. And while it is easy to shift blame as to who is responsible for these kids acting so horribly, the one thing that is certain, is that all parties involved will have their lives changed forever as a result of this atrocity.