Opinion, The Star, Thursday August 30, 2012

Protect our young girls

IT is distressing for those of us working with child abuse victims to see another child who has been sexually abused (statutory rape) apparently ignored by the courts.
The last two rulings by the court seem to focus more on the perpetrator rather than the victim’s situation.
It is possible that the judges involved have never seen the plight of a young girl who has been taken advantage of, even when it is conveniently called “consensual”.
The law to protect young children from sexual abuse and rape is there for a purpose, and written with reasons.
There are a number of concerns here with these custodial sentences.
Firstly, the age disparity between the perpetrator and the victim clearly shows that the victim was too young to understand or control the situation.
It makes a mockery of the word “consensual”. The older men, both adults at the time, should know better but chose to ignore the rights of the young girls.
Secondly, the ruling ignores the trauma that has happened and will continue to haunt these young girls.
Having worked with childhood survivors of sexual abuse for many years, I can say that the girls involved will face much emotional and psychological pain for years to come.
Again this has been seemingly ignored in the sentencing.
Thirdly, we are giving a clear message to other perpetrators that the courts takes a soft view of the abuse of children when the perpetrator involved is a young adult.
This will embolden more to act without restraint.
Both the Penal Code and the Child Act, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Children, are clear as to these actions.
They are abusive acts of an adult who should know better.
A child has been taken advantage of and damaged, possibly for life.
It is sad when we have ignored the silent cries of our children for our support and protection.
DATUK DR AMAR SINGH
Senior Consultant Community Paediatrician, Ipoh