An Appalling Crime

THANK you for giving me the opportunity to express my views on a recent article I read in your paper dated April 29 2007, with the heading ‘Woman in hot water over brutal slashing of girl (7)’.

Taking the nature of the crime committed, I am appalled and shocked that the culprit is out FREE on BAIL. It will take years for this poor girl to heal physically and sociologically from the brutal assault she suffered from a person that was supposed to be a mother to her.In all honesty if the culprit in this case happened to be a man, society would have been up in arms.There would have been street protests, petitions as well as statements condemning the assault on the girl.But it so happened that a woman is the culprit and what is the reaction of society? Nothing, and to make matters even worse, SHE IS OUT ON BAIL! It makes you wonder why we as a society discriminate on some crimes based on the gender.If woman and child abuse is committed by a man it always draws national attention which is good thing, because through these actions we can prevent and eliminate these crimes, but if the same crime is committed by a woman why does it draw so little attention? Crime is crime, no matter who commits them, we should give the culprits all the same treatment.Confused Citizen Via e-mail Note: Please note that contrary to your argument, this news report did receive national attention as it was on the front page of The Namibian on Thursday.There have also been several letters such as yours condemning the crime.EdIt will take years for this poor girl to heal physically and sociologically from the brutal assault she suffered from a person that was supposed to be a mother to her.In all honesty if the culprit in this case happened to be a man, society would have been up in arms.There would have been street protests, petitions as well as statements condemning the assault on the girl.But it so happened that a woman is the culprit and what is the reaction of society? Nothing, and to make matters even worse, SHE IS OUT ON BAIL! It makes you wonder why we as a society discriminate on some crimes based on the gender.If woman and child abuse is committed by a man it always draws national attention which is good thing, because through these actions we can prevent and eliminate these crimes, but if the same crime is committed by a woman why does it draw so little attention? Crime is crime, no matter who commits them, we should give the culprits all the same treatment. Confused Citizen Via e-mail Note: Please note that contrary to your argument, this news report did receive national attention as it was on the front page of The Namibian on Thursday.There have also been several letters such as yours condemning the crime.Ed