They were supposed to be friends, but when it mattered most, she showed her true colours.
Marina Alexeevna Lonina, an 18-year-old woman in Ohio, United States, has recently been indicted for live streaming her 17-year-old friend’s rape on Periscope. She faces up to 40 years in prison and has been charged with kidnap, rape, sexual battery, and handing out sexual material involving a minor.
The incident started when Marina and Raymond Boyd Gates, 29, were hanging out with the victim at a house. When Raymond started to have forcible intercourse with the 17-year-old, Marina started live streaming the encounter.
When Marina’s friend in another state saw the footage on Periscope, she notified the proper authorities and both Marina and Raymond were arrested and booked on the charges listed above. Marina also allegedly took nude photos of the unnamed minor the night before, so she is facing additional charges of illegal use of minor in nudity oriented material or performance.
While the crimes that Marina and Raymond are accused of are heinous, the person who reported this incident should be commended for doing something when she saw something. This is just another example of how bystanders — even digital bystanders — can aid in curbing sexual assaults and bringing perpetrators to justice.
So, the lesson here? Do something whenever you see something wrong.
Source: teenvogue
See Also: Sexual Abuse: 7 Things You Should Know To Keep You Safe
