Appalled, and saddened

Dear sir:
I returned from a sentencing at the courthouse earlier this week of a case which I have been following from a distance. I was appalled, disappointed, and saddened at the system which our society puts its trust.
The person I am speaking of was charged with sexual assault involving children. He had been previously let out on bail with conditions of no further contact with children until the case was settled. Everyone saw that this condition was repeatedly broken. The neighbours put in reports to police, who then patrolled the road but never checked anything out conclusively.
Reports were put into Children’s Aid Society, which obviously never checked out things out as nothing changed in the situation.
Also, the church which this man was affiliated with knew all the details as this was the first place the victims turned to. The church officials and members turned their heads and condoned these actions–even backing him in court saying, “he was in good standing in church and community.”
I feel guilty that I didn’t pursue this by becoming more actively involved until this man was dealt with appropriately but I naively put my trust in the system of church, Children’s Aid, and judiciary, as did the community. We thought the problem would be taken care of with due punishment to the accused and help for the victims.
We were obviously wrong as I sat in the courtroom and heard lies being recorded as fact, and no one had questioned them with it now being too late to do so.
Why? Was it because the victims were children and couldn’t fight for themselves? How sad that the police, crown, Children’s Aid Society, the church, the parents, along with the community, myself included, failed in protecting these innocent children. What a shame on us as a society.
The accused did get a small slap on the wrist from the law but let us take note that in a few months time the situation not be repeated. Let us not turn our heads this time thinking we have a system that will take care of us and our innocent.
Let us take an active initiative as members of our community, and keep on top of it for everyone’s sake involved.
Signed,
Tammy Kennett
A concerned and
saddened member of
our community.