Stay vigilant

There is understandable outrage that disgraced former junior hockey coach Graham James was handed only an additional two-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to sexually abusing two other players under his wing, including former NHL star Theoren Fleury.
Equally contemptible, though, was the fact that Mr. James obtained a pardon after serving about 18 months of a three-and-a-half year sentence the first time he was convicted of sexually assaulting players­—originally brought to light by former NHL’er Sheldon Kennedy—and was living in obscurity in Mexico before the CBC tracked him down.
Giving proverbial slaps on the wrist to those who commit such heinous crimes is a matter for lawmakers to address. In the meantime, parents share a responsibility in protecting their kids from pedophiles who will continue to lurk among us no matter how tough sentences become.
It’s incredulous that the actions of Mr. James went on for so many years, involving so many players, before someone finally stepped forward. That he exerted such control, players didn’t speak out for fear of jeopardizing their budding careers while parents didn’t question out-of-town trips and late-night “tutoring” sessions at his home.
Fortunately, times have changed. Those who work with children are now subject to background checks and kids are being taught at younger ages what constitutes inappropriate behaviour—and where to turn to for help. But with almost daily news of child pornography busts and child abuse charges, clearly the danger has not subsided.
Parents must stay ever vigilant when entrusting their children to another adult’s care, whether as a coach, scout leader, baby-sitter, youth minister, or teacher. It also means keeping close tabs on their kids’ computer use and online actions.
Stopping pedophiles starts with us, not the courts.