Raising public awareness of child sex abuse is essential
The Universe
(June 18, 2006)
There is nothing more abhorrent in the world than the abuse of children and the depravity of those who abuse them.
There was public outrage across Ireland recently when the high court declared unconstitutional a statutory rape law that made having sexual acts with a minor in a serious crime, because it did not give the accused any chance in the event that they had made an ‘honest mistake’ about the age of the girl.
A convicted man who admitted having sex with a 12 year-old walked free from prison as a result. Another who was convicted of sexually abusing a six year-old and an eight year-old was appealing against his sentence on the basis of the decision. The government was in turmoil because it had not legislated in time to plug this legal loophole.
Public protest galvanized the government as never before, and moved them within seven days to successfully appeal against the decision. The released man was re-arrested and a new law to give great protection to children was passed after seven hours of debate. In the Philippines, it took nine years and massive international media exposure to pass a juvenile justice bill to prevent children from being jailed.
The best thing about the Irish experience was the level of public awareness of child sex abuse it created – tearing away the curtain of secrecy. Much more still needs to be done, however.
The tide is turning in favour of the abused and more and more cases are being reported to the authorities, but few ever reach the courts. In the Philippines courtroom bribery is common.
In some countries, it is reported that as many as three out ten children are sexually abuse. Legally, a child is someone under the age of 18 (Philippines) or in some countries, 16.
In the Netherlands, a nation known for tolerance, protest has broken out about the founding of a politcal party with the agenda of making child pornography and paedophilia legal. It even wants to establish a label of ‘quality’ for child pornography.
This shows just how widespread paedophilia and the public rejection of it is. All decent people, especially Christians, must know that cover-up and silence about abuse is wrong.
The church has much more to do too to clean house, and an encouraging lead to clean house, and an encouraging lead has at last been given by the Vatican.
Last May, Pope Benedict dismissed and censured Fr. Marcial Maciel, 86, the founder of the conservative Legionnaires of Christ, for decades of sexual abuse of seminarians under his care.
The priest had been banned from celebrating the mass and talking to the media, and has to lead a life of prayer and penance. He will not face prosecution in the courts or face a Church trial.
This move gives hope that the Church will implement guidelines to protect children from abuse, and when the evidence is clear, bring clergy to justice. [End]
