Dear Editor,
This is exactly what I've been talking about on the campaign trail.
Let me first start by saying no man or woman is perfect, just as how we inherited our last name we also inherited sin, and so he who is without sin cast the first stone. I am far from perfect, but I will say this.
When it comes to minors, girls or boys, adults should know their place. One cannot be entrusted to groom, instil values and provide a safe environment where our children should be moulded to receiving the best education possible, only to be taken advantage of by someone who should know better.
To the mother that did not remain silent, I tip my hat and my heart goes out to you. Not many parents would speak up fearing the backlash they may receive, but this was about standing up for your child from someone who wore a suit to school. The boogie man really comes in many shapes, sizes and colours.
The prosecution office demanding six years for the various acts this sexual predator committed. So what next? Where is the face to the name of this sexual predator? I am seriously proposing a sex offenders registry that this individual has to register as such, with picture and all relevant information so it is known upon his release.
More importantly what happens to this mother’s son? Will he be receiving psychological help for the trauma he and the others went through? What we seem to forget is when this sex offender is released, we assume he paid his debt to society, in actuality society paid his debt while incarcerated. The acts he committed will forever be embedded in the minds of those he preyed on, and as a community we need to ensure that those innocent children get the much needed help to understand it was never their fault, they did nothing wrong!!
The plan of action, parts of which I championed during my campaign for the 2016 Parliamentary Election, needed is:
- Create an environment that would shield minors from becoming victims of sexual abuse.
- Create a platform where victims can share their stories, with the goal to encourage others
to speak out.
- Create a support network among parents to help cope with the needs of children who have
been victimized.
- Create a support network to help educate parents to shield their children from becoming
victims.
- Abusers need a programme where they need to confront their psychological challenges to
lessen the chances of sexual assault.
- A hot line is needed where minors can feel safe to report any concerns or report an
incident.
- Make it compulsory for all schools and foundations that work with children to conduct a
thorough background check on all personnel, both employed and potential.
You see, whether we want to face the reality or not, sexual predators knows their prey, they know what to look for, they know what to do to lure their victims.
As a small community as this it's about being proactive and not reactive. There are known persons within our community who we hear about, who are in the schools, churches, sporting events who have been convicted of such acts against minors, taken out from the places where these acts were committed only to be placed in an area again surrounded by children. Where is the justice?
I will continue to speak up and be the voice of the voiceless. Thank you to the mother of this child for taking a stand, because if you didn't there would be more victims. My prayers go out to the parents and children of sexual abuse.
Marinka Gumbs
