the ology of charm

Boy kept mum for 3 years after "body check"

Home, The Straits Times, Tuesday 11 April 2006 (front page)

Personally, I am appalled that a teacher would even do such a thing to a student. Of course this isn't the first case but it is still shocking every time. What's worse, the teacher in question is facing a total of 9 molestation charges, shared beds with students and even asked them to massage him. It really makes one wonder at the mental state of this teacher. To be an educator is to be a leader, a guide, an example. It's sad indeed to see how someone with this role could act like this. It seems that some people have no integrity.

It is mentioned in the article that the boy was too afraid to speak up after he went through the "body check". He said he was afraid of how people would see him if he told all. I suppose that this is due to the social stigma that once one has been defiled (in a sense) one is different. Of course this is not saying that he has to go on as if nothing has happened, yet he should not be afraid to tell others because otherwise he would be harming only himself. Perhaps there should be more public awareness of this kind of molestation cases, especially the psychological damage and how to deal with the repurcussions. This way, society would not look down on those who are victims of molesters and perhaps it might be a happier place.

posted by Charmaine @ 8:17 PM