ee he tae Lyte Ty rey rae o 8 - Friday, January 12, 1990 - North Shore News SEXUAL ABUSE CASE Sentence doesn't reflect community standards Dear Editor: Counselling the victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse is an important part of the work of many social agencies including the North Shore Family Services Society in North and West Van- couver, and we were naturally concerned with the press reports of the sentencing decision of Judge Peter van der Hoop in the case of Regina vs Leeson. We welcome the debate and public discussion resulting from this case. Sexual abuse is a major social problem in our society and is the cause of severe and long-lasting problems for the victims which in- Fly past fitting commemoration Dear Editor: In reply to the Nov. 15 letter to the editor from the Vancouver Raging Grannies Against Low Level Flights where they criticized the Remembrance Day service fly past. I know ‘grannies’ can be any age from below 40 years to 100 or clude physical and sexual abuse of others, school and social problems and chemical dependencies. The outcry over the Leeson case should make it clear that the community will not put up with blaming the victim or trivializing sexual abuse. Having read the reasons for judgment of Oct. 1, 1989, and the well-publicized reasons for the suspended sentence and probation which were dated Nov. 14, 1989, it is not clear that Judge van der Hoop was ‘“‘blaming the victim’’ when he took the behavior of the child into account in determining the sentence. more years, but I am assuming if the Raging Grannies are the sing- ing group I saw on TV one day, that each granny is at least three score and 10 or maybe more — which is much more than our young men and women, who are buried in numerous countries of the world, had. I watched the fly past from the Hard work pays off Dear Editor: On behalf of the North Shore Association for the Mentally Handicapped, I extend our sincere appreciation to all canvassers and zone captains who participated in our annual door-to-door campaign 1989. To date, we have raised over $53,000 for the programs and ser- vices for over 500 North Shore res- idents with mental handicaps; $24,944.70, almost one-half of our total was due to the hard work of 165 individual canvassers who raised an average of $151.18 each. We value their continued sup- famous for. port and thank them for their kind assistance. Pamela MacDonald Resource Coordinator N.S. Association for the Mentally Handicapped {12 outlets to serve you) erry ri oe “aigonas We're Closing Our Doors But Just For A While! On January 28, 1990, after 18 years and more than 1.7 million happy North Shore guests, we're tearing down the North Vancouver Keg and starting again. We'll be back in the Fall of 1990 with a brand new building, outdoor dining, Our great view of the city, legendary steaks and the ‘Good Times’’ we’re We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our guest, for all the good times! We'll be here to serve you until the 28th . Then, while we’re gone, come down and join us at the Coal Harbour Keg, 566 Cardero Street, Vancouver (next to the Bayshore). Call for reservations — 20-50% OFF All work guaranteed. Expertly done in any colour in your own home. Specialists in bathtubs, sinks, tites and major appliance regtazing. Mr. Bathtub Fixer 682-5608 We strongly believe that it was entirely inappropriate for him to refer to a three-year-old as ‘‘sex- ually aggressive’’ in relation to an adult. This characterization of the child’s conduct was unfortunate, and unnecessary for his purpose, which would have been served by saying that the evidence indicated that the child had initiated the events which led to the commission of the crime by Leeson. As social workers we are not ex- perts in criminal sentencing, but we share the view of many others that alcoholism should not be a mitigating factor in sexual abuse cases. patio on the 14th floor of a high tise so was in a good position to judge low from high. And as for thousands of children and adults being terroriz- ed by the noise (other than our newly arrived Asians — for whom I sympathize with their recent memories of terror in their former country), If! bet that other than two or three little sissies, every boy wished he was up there in one of the planes at the controls. And how about 97 per cent of the girls. I hope the Ministry of National Defence shall always see fit to commemorate our war dead with an honorary fly past. Arme Cathrea Nortli Vancouver Free Estimates 689-4706 Furthermore, while we accept Judge van der Hoop’s distinction between cases (like Leeson) which do not involve aggressive sexual conduct on the part of the accused and those that do, and while we accept the idea that the punish- ment should fit the criminal as well as the crime, we strongly believe that the suspended sentence and 18-months probation given to Leeson does not properly reflect the community view of the serious nature of sexual abuse of children. Res. 980-2367 a. Bus. 986-9321 West Coast Realty Enjoy Your Next Transferred? Upgrading? Empty Nesting? Unburdening? Freer Lifestyle? Get Top Dollar When Selling. Get Top Value When Buying. For a complimentary Real Estate consultation and a free Market Evaluation of your Present Home. Let Me WORK for you - Call Me Personally. MASTER MEMBER H An independent Broker Member Finally, we are pleased that in his reasons, Judge van der Hoop recognized the possibility that this child had been the victim of previous sexual abuse and invited further investigation. We certainly hope that has been undertaken and that the child will receive the help she so badly needs. Arlene Gladstone Executive Director North Shore Family Services Society Home PAT MUNRO FRI, CMR, Ri, (BC) ATTENTION © NORTH SHORE PONTIAC IBUICK, CADILLAC IGMC TRUCK |OWNERS OUR GOVERNMENT LICENCED MECHANICS ARE FULLY QUALIFIED TO LOOK AFTER ALL YOUR SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS. OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 1345 MARINE DRIVE NORTH VANCOUVER 987-5651