Dear Editor,
Nowadays, molesting children is as common as buying a newspaper! It’s like the word decency has been completely erased, and the joy of seeing children blossom into adulthood, has disappeared forever. The unfortunate situation within this community, is that many choose to make noise when it is convenient for them. If all cases of sexual abuse of minors were viewed in the same manner as the accused principal, then the outcry would appear to be sincere.
Last year, when the news broke and the school management refused to address the parents and the Minister of Education, in a timely fashion, most of the people remained silent on the issue. As a matter of fact, some persons defended him. Imagine: one gentleman called in on a programme to express his discontent with the principal. The host responded by telling him he does not have time for that talk, and that the principal made a mistake. Wow! If the principal had molested one of his children, would he still classify that action as a mistake?
Others vehemently and deliberately tried to squash the story by saying the community is spoiling the principal’s name. When the basketball coach was also indicted for the same offence, another concerned citizen called in to discuss the matter. Instead of the host being sensitive to the caller’s concern and the situation at hand, he brushed the caller off in the same manner as expressed above. Then it calls to question, what is the real purpose of advocating for the community, when persons within the society cannot express the issues that are important to them?
With all of the sexual abuse cases that were made public, why was the uproar so muffled then, and how many of them took the time to console the parents, who are just as traumatized by this horrific crime? What is amazing and extremely dangerous, is that some people tend to lash out at paedophiles who were condemned by the court, but continue to condone those in their own backyard. The question should be asked: Is the principal the only member of that organization to be defrocked and why?
In any case, no one will convince me that the management and staff of that school were not aware of his conduct. Whenever a paedophile is being exposed, the victim in question is just a tiny fraction of all the other victims. That is why throughout 2013 and beyond, I pleaded with parents to be vigilant with their children. I have also stressed the importance of having a clear view of what is happening in the classroom at all times. No door should be completely wooden; not even the principal’s office. If school principals are who they profess to be, then there is no need to be alarmed if someone suddenly pops up at the door.
It is time that this community quits burying its head in the sand and be aware of the people, who are designated to deal with the welfare of children. Don’t be fooled! The basketball coach and principal are not isolated cases. There are several others who continue to play hide and seek, because of the leniency of the justice and educational systems.
Imagine that, the majority of paedophiles are awarded minimal sentences or even just a kiss on the cheek. Likewise, some teachers who were discharged for the same misconduct are being absorbed into government, in a different capacity. Then, isn’t government recycling the process and contributing to the destruction of the very lives that it claims to protect? I have mentioned several times before that all persons who work with children should be thoroughly checked out prior to assuming their position. A police record has no value for these kinds of people who seek a certificate of conduct.
The fact that the principal has admitted to giving one of his victims alcohol, is a clear indication that his actions were intentional. And if he is so innocent, why does he hide his face every time he goes to trial? It is so sad to see that during the proceedings, his position to guide and protect all children entrusted in his care, did not even come into question. And, the thought of him molesting little boys when he gets out, is also not a concern for the judges. Then what purpose are they to the community if they cannot render justice where fairness is due?
Do we know why judges will continue to rule in the manner that they do? It is because the community has failed to rise up and challenge them on their decisions, especially in cases of this heinous crime against children. When will they acknowledge that child molesters are like a runaway train? They do not stop until they are being stopped. Therefore, it now becomes the duty of the community to hold organizations and government responsible for hiring paedophiles, who are forever destroying the fabric of this society.
Joslyn Morton
