March 20, 2002

Dear Sir,

I was horrified to read in on Thursday that a judge had handed down probation to a male sex offender with these words: "I have heard the facts from both counsels. I see no need to vary from recommendations of probation".

I would suggest that if more men had 'their forbidden land' violated without permission" of course, they would then have more, much more identification and compassion for women who have been raped.

Probation only leads to a repetition of the offence at a further date. These men need to be taken off the streets so that we and our families are not subjected to this horrendous crime which stays with a woman for the rest of her life.

The very commendable ATI programme has not had time to get truly tried and established yet.

The reference to "the promised land" and "the forbidden land" appeared as a salacious reference that surely must nauseate decent thinking fathers, brothers, sons, and husbands.

Have some disrespectful men ever equated rape to being sodomised themselves, against their will. Or to quote, 'without their permission'. There seems little compassion or identification for such horrendous acts against women by some men.

One hears (of) this abuse all over our world, atrocities such as a woman being stoned to death for adultery, with not punishment for the man - no doubt an immaculate conception.

"Go and sin no more", one is tempted to add. But if you fall by the wayside don't come to my house.

Now that the sex offender is out on probation there is still time for him to offend again, and who knows who will be next.