[rant]
I've known quite a few people who were sexually abused as kids - some of whom spent the rest of their childhoods on the other side of the planet to get away from the abuser.
The damage it does to these people always seems to be underestimated. In certain respects it's like a life sentence. Quite often, they are unable to trust anybody again (or at least, for a very, very long time). A lot of them are unable to live what others would call a 'normal' life, through recurring depression, guilt, etc. The long-term aftermath ain't pretty. And of course, and understandably so, they never want to talk about it, which just forces the issue under wraps. But it's always lying in wait, from where it can come out and haunt them all over again after the most innocent of triggers. I've been in the very unfortunate position of causing such a trigger once, and ****** me, was it frightening to witness. Obviously, it must be absolute torture for the victims too, and it never truly stops.
The *******s that perpetuate these crimes - well, yes, as Col puts, they do need help. But in my opinion, society needs to be protected from them as well - while they have no control over their feelings, they DO have control over their actions - again, as Col points out. Just letting them out again after a few months or years ain't enough, in my opinion. How far do you go in this supposedly civilised society in which we exist today?
Sorry if I've gone on, but like almost everybody else, this is something that I really feel very strongly about. I hope they get to live some of the hell that they inflict on others while they're imprisoned...
[/rant]
EDIT: Sorry, Col - I know the thread was meant to be more lighthearted than this. Glad the printer thing happened. All the rest is him squirming his way through the usual excuses. But they bailed him? Jesus!
