ID :
210361
Fri, 09/30/2011 - 02:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/210361
The shortlink copeid
Molesters of students Zero-tolerance against abuse of physically challenged
(EDITORIAL from the Korea Times on Sept. 30)
A movie rekindled public debate over the judicial leniency on the perpetrators of sexual abuse of hearing and speech impaired students at a school in Gwanjgu in 2005. Police must initiate a full-sale reinvestigation. The government must stop subsidizing the special school.
The movie, titled "The Crucible," depicts a real story of the systematic and pervasive sexual assaults of at least nine physically-challenged students by a school headmaster, teachers and administrators at a family-run school. Only two were charged, with seven still working as either teachers or support staff.
A whistle blower divulged the collective sexual violence on the deaf and dumb students through cooperation with human rights activists.
It is noteworthy that a movie animates debate for social justice. The film condemns collusive ties between lawyers and judges for the defense of the beast-like molesters. It also depicts the law enforcement authorities' dumbness on the plight of the social weak. It also questions the morality of parents of some victims who did not appeal the case in return for money.
The movie is the brain child of an online bestseller book by Gong Ji-young. In less than five days after its release, more than one million viewed the movie. The Internet is abuzz with comments criticizing the court for having exonerated most of the perpetrators. The moviegoers began a petition for legislation on removing the statute of limitations on molesters.
Under the double jeopardy rule, however, a defendant enjoys legal exemption from facing retrial on the same or similar charges following a court ruling.
A reexamination is necessary to check whether the harassment was an isolated case or whether the crimes have been ongoing. Penalization is possible by digging up undetected crimes at the problematic school.
Before the movie came out, NGO members had waged a 242-day sit-in protest to demand the dismissal of the school administrators. Frustrated students boycotted the school for 66 days.
The movie also highlighted the legal loopholes on the child molesters. It is the obligation of children to verify how they were sexually victimized under the current law.
The former opposition Grand National Party blocked in 2007 the revision of the law intended to promote transparency of the special-purpose schools for the disabled.
Judiciary lenience for rapists of juveniles is also problematic. About 35.5 percent of child rapists and 50.8 percent of child molesters are out of prison and are on probation.
The court should adopt the principle of zero tolerance against child molesters. Electronic ankle bracelets and chemical castration are not enough as 13 children in Seoul are victims of molesters daily. Legislation is necessary to exclude molesters from enjoying statute of limitations or parole. The government must conduct regular audits of all state-funded facilities for the physically challenged.
(END)
A movie rekindled public debate over the judicial leniency on the perpetrators of sexual abuse of hearing and speech impaired students at a school in Gwanjgu in 2005. Police must initiate a full-sale reinvestigation. The government must stop subsidizing the special school.
The movie, titled "The Crucible," depicts a real story of the systematic and pervasive sexual assaults of at least nine physically-challenged students by a school headmaster, teachers and administrators at a family-run school. Only two were charged, with seven still working as either teachers or support staff.
A whistle blower divulged the collective sexual violence on the deaf and dumb students through cooperation with human rights activists.
It is noteworthy that a movie animates debate for social justice. The film condemns collusive ties between lawyers and judges for the defense of the beast-like molesters. It also depicts the law enforcement authorities' dumbness on the plight of the social weak. It also questions the morality of parents of some victims who did not appeal the case in return for money.
The movie is the brain child of an online bestseller book by Gong Ji-young. In less than five days after its release, more than one million viewed the movie. The Internet is abuzz with comments criticizing the court for having exonerated most of the perpetrators. The moviegoers began a petition for legislation on removing the statute of limitations on molesters.
Under the double jeopardy rule, however, a defendant enjoys legal exemption from facing retrial on the same or similar charges following a court ruling.
A reexamination is necessary to check whether the harassment was an isolated case or whether the crimes have been ongoing. Penalization is possible by digging up undetected crimes at the problematic school.
Before the movie came out, NGO members had waged a 242-day sit-in protest to demand the dismissal of the school administrators. Frustrated students boycotted the school for 66 days.
The movie also highlighted the legal loopholes on the child molesters. It is the obligation of children to verify how they were sexually victimized under the current law.
The former opposition Grand National Party blocked in 2007 the revision of the law intended to promote transparency of the special-purpose schools for the disabled.
Judiciary lenience for rapists of juveniles is also problematic. About 35.5 percent of child rapists and 50.8 percent of child molesters are out of prison and are on probation.
The court should adopt the principle of zero tolerance against child molesters. Electronic ankle bracelets and chemical castration are not enough as 13 children in Seoul are victims of molesters daily. Legislation is necessary to exclude molesters from enjoying statute of limitations or parole. The government must conduct regular audits of all state-funded facilities for the physically challenged.
(END)
