I would take it one step further and say that we often make victims feel more victimized by our attitudes that to be sexually abused is such a catastrophic thing. Surely, it can be catostrophic but our harsh punishment of offenders sends the message to victims that they have been severely damaged. I do believe in consequiences for offenders but we need to evaluate every case carefully and not be ritualistic with punishment. We should not be saying to victims, "Oh, how horrible! Lets give the person who touched you many years in prison, then put him on intensive probation for life. Of course, I am speaking from the position of one who works in a state with some of the most horendous (and ignorant) laws concerning sexual abuse.
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