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Newfoundland & labrador Sexual assault Crisis & Prevention Centre, Inc. |
Phone 709-747-7757 Fax 709-747-7758 |
Press Release
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Contact: Tracy Duffy,
DeniseHayes Phone: 709-747-7757 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9:30 AM NDT, March 2, 2005 |
Light sentencing rEaction
The
NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre is appalled at the judge’s
decision on light sentencing for a sexual offender committing sexual
exploitation of young women.
Today the NL Sexual
Assault Crisis Centre is shocked to hear the sentencing decision for
Mr.Phippard. The fact that this person sexually assaulted two young women, and
the Judge felt that this sentencing was appropriate is very unsettling. We feel
that this sentencing speaks broadly to the way in which crimes involving
violence against women are dealt with by our judicial system. How many young women need to suffer trauma
and re-victimization before our justice system takes violence against women
seriously?
The Centre is very
concerned that this type of sentencing is not an option for a sex offence of
this magnitude. By not strictly
punishing offenders who commit these crimes, we allow for re-offending, and
this leads to the unwillingness of victims to lay charges and report
assaults.
An 8 month sentence is
ludicrous, when those who are charged with theft and robbery receive higher
sentencing. We must recognize the impact
that these decisions have on the never-ending battle to end all forms of sexual
violence in our province.