Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1988-02-10, Page 5Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, February 10, 1988—Page 5 Don't leave a child open to assault. Dear Editor: "Don't talk to strangers" is a common warning given to children by parents con- cerned for the personal safety of their children. Although well intended, the war- ning ignores everything known about those who commit sexual crimes against children and, if anything; leaves the child more vulnerable to exploitation. The term "stranger" is confusing to a child and misleads the child into believing that he or she should only be cautious of people who have an unusual or slovenly appearance. The truth, of course, is that it is impossi- ble to know a child molester by ap- pearance. They come from all walks of life, many of them even in positions of trust with children. Research has also shown that over 80% of all crimes against children are commit- ted by someone known to the child, not by someone the child would consider to be a stranger. Creating undue fear in the child's mind of "strangers" then leaves the child open to assault by someone the child knows and trusts.. When speaking to children about per- sonal safety it is more appropriate to teach them how to respond to certain situations rather than giving them a particular pro- file or image of a "stranger." Research has also shown that those who prey upon innocent children use only a limited number of lures to attract, their prey. Children can easily be taught these "lures" and how to respond should they be approached. Crimes against innocent children will not be prevented by the use of games, gadgets, gimmicks, fingerprint kits or fear, generating literature that is becoming too common on the market today. They can be prevented through common sense educa- tional programs in school and in home. For free information on the prevention of crimes against children or on how to establish a preventive programin your community please write to Victims of Violence Canadian Centre for Missing Children, Provincial Court House, Edmon- ton, Alberta, T5J OR2. Sincerely, Shari Ure Director, Education Dear Editor, During my campaign at the last provin- cial election a letter was dropped off at my home. I was very moved by what this lady, who had an abortion, had to say. Unable to see her and hoping I had her approval, I read it out to several hundred people at. two meetings. Her letter reinforced my belief that the mental anguish and trauma an abortion brings about iS far greater than even our research reveals. Peterson announced he would,spread an additional 81.7 million over three years for mental health because mental illness had risen to the extent that now one in three people have some sort of mental health problem. It is fair to surmise that a substantial number of those are the ones who suffer from post abortion trauma. Instead of prevention the liberal govern- ment is accelerating the problem by mak- ing abortions accessible, thus creating more illness of the mind. I cannot accept the fact that women with deep feelings of motherhood could casual- ly terminate a life without a feeling of loss at least. As a man I still feel the loss of two of ours ( and we still talk about it) by miscarriage, and that is 30 years ago. Many people who heard and read the ap- peal of the young lady came to see me, full of compassion and wondered how we could_ help. I for one would like to be able to console them and perhaps form a support group. Her letter has already been a tremen- dous help to a lot of us in and outside our party. • As courageous as her decision was to write the letter, so much more could be done if more people like her would come forward with their testimony. So many more lives could be saved, empty arms filled and trauma spared. The following is her letter: Mr.. Keet, I am writing about your stand. against abortion and to tell you about the emo- tional scars it leaves. I know because I had one. It is the next worst thing to this side of hell! Later, I've had feelings of guilt, nightmares, and ex- treme hatred, mostly at myself. No matter how deeply buried these feel- ings are, they will always surface. Please continue to tell people about the devastating effects of abortion. It has only been by God's grace and love that I am able to continue on with a healed life. May God Bless You in Your Stand. Anonymous. Mr. Adrian Keet Bruce County Candidate Family Coalition Party Barry, not Dave, is the Reeve of Kinloss The Sentinel would like to bring to your attention a couple notes of clarification arising from the February 3 edition. In a letter to the Editor from Mrs. Muriel Coultes with regards to Sunday shopping, it was mentioned that letters to Provincial Members of Parliament do not require postage stamps. In fact, such letters DO require a stamp. Also, in an news article on the visit of Cabinet Minister Charles Mayer to Holyrood last week, it was noted that Dave Johnston is the Reeve of Kinloss. Of course, it is Barry Johnston who is the Reeve and, as farr as we know, he has not been recently replaced. The mistake arose by looking a a picture of Barry Johnston and Dave Eadie and typing Dave Johnston. Our. apologies to both these gentlemen. minter low -Out February 10th to February 2Oth Dresses grow 1.9 0 8 8 R u to 6130.00emir SPECIAL CLEARANCE Selected 1.0! 0 Slacks Selection of . BilPullover i 9,,kMerchandise 98 i ISOTONER Dined . Gloves Reg. 30.04 9 49)81 ROYAL TAUPE Siweaters Price KORET Sp-ortswear Colour Co-ordinates 1/2PRIcE.to SKIRTS, SLACKS, BLOUSES *All Regular Priced69. including New Arrivals 10% Loree's Ladies dear LLTCKXOW Beside Lucknow Post Office 528-3533