The sight of Akari, Meyer, and Laurent entering the hearing from a side door on the other side of the courtroom did little to reassure me as we all climbed to our feet.I was going to have to get up in front of all of them and talk about Jackson, the things I’d witnessed, and how his disgusting behavior had affected me.
Why did I say I’d speak?
Reaching with my free hand to check my pre-written script was still in my pocket, I tried to swallow down my rising apprehension.I could have just stayed at the hotel or even hidden behind Harper at the back of the hearing, but oh no, I’d opted for the spotlight, agreeing to give a voice to all those women stuck back at home who couldn’t speak to the effect Ian had shrouded on all our lives.
Because I have to, the goading voice in my head taunted.Because I have a voice while they still have none.
Jackson might have been arrested, but the BTP was still in charge in Britain, and that meant millions of women still suffered abuse, neglect, and subjugation.
I had no choice but to stand up for them.My soul would never rest until their prejudice had been dismantled.
“You’ll be fine.”Lowering to my height, Harper whispered the consoling words.“I promise you, he can’t hurt you.He has no power over you now.”
“I know.”I squeezed his hand harder, still trying to calm my hammering heart.
There was nothing Jackson could do to hurt me anymore, but standing up to face him was still a terrifying prospect.
I could hardly process Akari’s words as she opened the proceedings, my attention fixed only on the journey from my chair to the stand, and how I was going to make it without falling flat on my face.I envisioned the walk in slow motion, seeing me putting one foot ahead of the other in my mind’s eye, until I found myself standing beside the three judges.Glancing to where they were sitting, it was strange to see them in such a formal capacity again.After spending so much time with them all, I’d started to view them more as colleagues than people with tangible power, but watching Akari’s body language, there was little doubt that she was in control of the court.
“Miss Craness.”
I started at the sound of my name, my body straightening as I acknowledged that it was Akari calling me.
“I believe you have a statement to read to the court today,” she went on.“Please, come forward.”
Taking a deep breath, I released Harper’s hand, barely able to respond to his soothing words as I stepped out into the aisle.I watched as the court official beckoned me forward, my pulse sprinting as I ignored the faces turning in my direction and walked toward him.
“Over here, please.”His accent washed over me as he guided me to the appropriate place to stand.
By the time I was in position, I was surprised Akari and all the others couldn’t hear the volume of my racing heart.
“Please read this declaration for the court.”The official thrust a piece of laminated paper in front of me and, fingers shaking, I lifted the card closer to read what was on it.
Come on, Caroline.
Pulling in a steadying breath, I willed myself to relax and just read.
“I solemnly undertake that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as a witness of the International Criminal Court honorably, faithfully, impartially, and conscientiously, and that I will respect the confidentiality of investigations and prosecutions, and the secrecy of deliberations.”
Resolve resounded in my voice by the final few words, my nerves a little easier to manage as I placed the card down on the lectern in front of me.
“Thank you.”The official managed a small smile before he darted away.
“Miss Craness.”It was Meyer speaking that time.“Can you confirm your full name for the court.”
I coughed to clear my voice before I answered.“I am Caroline Rebecca Craness.”
“Thank you,” Meyer replied.“Miss Craness, you have been invited here to read your impact statement and answer a few questions about your experiences.You may read when you are ready.”
I nodded in the direction of the judges, ensuring my gaze remained their way as I dug into my pocket to find my notes.Pulling the paper free, I unfolded it before placing it on the waiting stand.I’d spent most of the prior day penning the statement, drafting and redrafting it with Harper until it adequately reflected the way I felt.It had been bizarre to write with him again, pausing to ask for his view on specific words and phrases before carrying on, but there were stark differences between my statement and the speeches I used to write.
Unlike the documents I’d produced for him at Fortorus, the court wanted to hear my story in my words, and unlike before, I would be the one to read those words.I’d practiced doing so with him on more than one occasion, and my attention rose to find his gaze in the nearby gallery, our eyes meeting before I started to speak.
“Thank you for the invitation to share my experiences with the International Criminal Court.My life changed forever in October 2024 when men, acting under the orders of Ian Jackson, broke into my home and kidnapped me.”I hesitated, steeling myself to remember that dreadful day all over again.“That was when I was first sent to Fortorus.”
“Please confirm for the court what Fortorus is,” Akari interrupted.
“It’s a concentration camp,” I replied, trying to ignore the gasps coming from the gallery.“A camp where more than thirty thousand women are being housed, ridiculed, and abused.”
