Teen Elizabeth Shoaf Raped, Threatened, Comes Out on Top
After an experience that could break the spirit of most anyone, teenager Elizabeth Shoaf managed to not only survive but she managed to come out on top.
When she was 14 years old Elizabeth Shoaf was kidnapped by Vinson. Elizabeth Shoaf was naïve and young. In fact, she had never even had a date and was always in the protection of her family, even when she spent the night away from home. Vinson was wily and had eluded law enforcement for practically an entire year before he kidnapped her.
What happened after the kidnapping is even more horrifying, especially for a young 14-year-old girl with no world experience. Elizabeth Shoaf was chained to the ceiling by her neck underground and if that wasn’t bad enough Vinson proceeded to rape her several times a day for the 10 days she was held captive. These conditions were horrible, but Vinson made it worse by threatening Elizabeth Shoaf with certain death at every turn.
But, the story gets even worse. After his reprehensible behavior Vinson tries to make excuses. He claims he sexually abused young Elizabeth Shoaf because he was trying to get revenge on law enforcement. Not only does this not make sense, but he furthers his argument that the teen enjoyed his treatment of her and that she even came up with the idea. Of course, this are huge lies, but Vinson was trying to find a way to downplay his treatment and sexual abuse of an innocent little girl in his attempt to revenge law enforcement.
It’s amazing that a young girl like Elizabeth Sheaf was able to withstand the treatment she received from Vinson. In fact, any person would understand if she was broken, psychologically affected for the rest of her days and distrustful of men in general. However, Elizabeth Shoaf appears to be wiser than her years and stronger than many, most specifically Vinson.
The story was quite interesting, and the interviews even more powerful. The seedy wolf of a man, Vinson, told his story in a self-serving way. He made outrageous claims, lied to suit his purposes, and tried to make young Elizabeth Shoaf look as if she was somehow involved in the experienced and enjoyed it. This was completely sickening and outrageous.
However, the young Elizabeth Shoaf had a different story to tell. And, she didn’t seem a broken young girl. Instead, she seemed to gain power and confidence by sharing her story and outing the disgusting excuse for a man that is Vinson.
It really is amazing that Elizabeth Shoaf can smile after all she went through, but the teen is happy to be alive after the harrowing experience and desperate to put the past behind her and move forward with her life. Hopefully she will maintain her strength and continue to gain power from herself in order to completely put the past behind her.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
The writer needs to check his/her spelling. also Vinson whom? Andy Vinson? Vinson Smith? This story gives very little actual information of how the girl came out on top in the end, the ways in which she’;s shown strength, posts no location, date, or time. As far as this reader can tell this story is unfinnished and under researched.