Quote:
Originally Posted by KathyM
If he had attacked YOUR child or loved one you consider to be most precious in your life, how would YOU reach out to help the attacker? Should we rush to the aid of your loved one, or would you prefer we focus our attention on healing the pedophile, the institution, and their respective reputations? Whose life, welfare, and reputation would be more important to you?
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ALL of their lives.
In my view, healing, or trying to heal, a pedophile can include sequestering him or her from the public. In "jail", if you would describe it that way. But more punishment only continues the cycle of violence. Preventing someone from harming others can be done in a punishing way, and it can be done in a way that is not punishing -- not itself filled with hate. People can be sanctioned to make it clear that certain actions are not acceptable, but
punishing does not always change minds in a way that I would like. It often drives things underground.
I note that the main offender in question is quoted as saying at one point that he wished he were dead. Like others, he
may (I don't know for sure) have felt himself under a compulsion that he himself hated. Is punishment the answer? Or does it just make
you feel less frightened -- temporarily?
My mother's answer to everything was punishment. Did it make me change my ways? Yes. At a great cost. Did it make for any healing? No.