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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-06-21, Page 3News and Views Coping with coverage of trials BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor Parents don't need to expose children and adolescents to the disturbing testimony in high- profile criminal cases. !'his is part of the message :hared by Dr. Robert Shepherd. The Seaforth psychologist was approached by this newspaper 10 give his view on how par- ents can protect their children from the adverse effects of well-publicized trials such as the Paul Bernardo and 0. J. Simpson cases. "Parents should think really hard about what children arc seeing and what they should see and hear," said Dr. Shep- herd. "Because it's on TV or in the newspaper we presume it's appropriate...I think that assumption needs to be ques- tioned." Parents shouldn't feel they have to initiate discussion about the cases, according to Dr. Shepherd. if children and adolescents do have questions parents should ialk with them. Parents, how- ver, shouldn't feel they have to explain why certain actions have taken place. Much of the behaviour outlined in the court cases, he said, is very extreme and inexplicable. "I don't know if I could answer a lot of questions," he said. "We have to pause and think, if I don't understand it how can I expect them to?" It is. a norinal reaction, he said, for children to feel some distress if They hear details of, the •:-curt cases. "One of the most worrying things would be to watch it and not feel anything," said Dr. Shepherd. "The child needs to know that hearing about viol- ence on this scale is upsetting to most people." News organizations have expressed the belief that the major court cases have to be covered in detail to educate people about the judicial sys- tem. Dr. Shepherd, however, is critical of the media's insist- ence on revealing the most gruesome details of the Bernardo case. "I'm really appalled at the media's handling, the choice to discuss some of the things happening," he said. "I don't sec at is necessary or of any benefit to people to know these details." As a psychologist who treats victims of crime, Dr. Shepherd says he feels strongly about victims' rights. "We're invading a family's privacy regardless of the fact it's in court," he said. "I've seen tremendous suffering in families when they are sub- jected to this kind of media exposure." The Seaforth psychologist and father says he feels for the families of the victims. Losing a child is one of the worst things someone can experience, he said, and it defies compre- hension that families have to endure the graphic details of what their • children went through. "I can say the families of .the girls or the parents of the woman who was murdered would be suffering tremendous- ly," he said. "The media atten- tion in particular is extremely stressful for families." Children aren't the only ones who can be affected by shock- ing details from the Bernardo and Simpson trials. Adults may have reactions which range from anger to disgust. "Most adults I talk to find it really distressing to read or hear about it," said Dr. Shep- herd. "A lot of people say it spoils their day, it's depress- ing." Those adults who are upset with the court details can try to avoid reading about the case or watching news accounts. Perhaps we need to ask our- selves, says Dr. Shepherd, "Do I have to sit here and subject myself to this? Could I be doing something more produc- tive`" It is easy to feel helpless in light of the horrible accounts being read in newspapers and broadcast on radio and televi- sion. Dr. Shepherd encourages people to think of constructive things they can do such as supporting women's shelters, starting a neighbourhood watch or writing to the families of victims as a gesture of support. "Rather than focusing on the content, the gruesome details of what's . happening I would focus on what can my children and myself do about this situ- ation?" Local student in Torch Run BY LEEANNE LAVIS On June 6, local police of- ficers participated in a Torch Run to help raise money for Special Olympians. "The torch carried during the Law Enforcement Torch Run Represents the 'Flame of Hope' and the values of Special Olympics - Skill, Sharing, Courage and Joy," explained a letter to the News - Record sent by- Clinton Police -- Constable Brenda Carey. Ryan Jewitt, 16, was asked by Goderich Police Constable Sharon Johnston to carry the torch in the Torch Run, which included Clinton, Goderich and Wingham. "We were out having lunch on Mother's Day when she asked if he had been in the Special Olympics before," said Ryan's mother Pat. "We talked about the Torch Run for awhile and shortly after he was chosen." Ryan received a call and then a letter confirming his par- ticipation in the event. Ryan said by the end of the run, even though he had practiced, he was exhausted. "We'd go out and run to the tracks and back, which would be about a half a mile," said Pat, adding that if he participated in the run again they would begin their practicing earlier. "The approximate amount of money that was raised in the area was $5,000," said Pat. Ryan, who attends school at Seaforth District Secondary School, has always loved run- ning. He recently went to the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association (WOSSA) meet where he placed third in the 400 metre race. DAVID EMSLIE PHOTO ATHLETE IN TORCH RUN - Ryan Jewitt, of Seaforth District High School, took part in Torch Run. TIM CUND INN NIOVO TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC - Sarah Johnston, 4 and Lindsay Hoegy, 4, brought their teddy bears to the Early Years Teddy Bears' Picnic held at Walton Public School last week. I A Although Dr. Shepherd says he is not an advocate of cen- sorship he feels it is up to parents to determine what children should and should not see. "We need to be our own judge about what's appropriate and inappropriate (for our children to watch)," he said. "People can't leave it up to the CBC or the Toronto Star to decide what's appropriate for their child to watch or read." There is something wrong if parents can't regulate what their children are exposed to, he said. "If we can't set limits we're really in a desperate situation." Some critics might argue that people can't hide their heads in the sand and ignore the reality of these horrible cases. Dr. Shepherd addresses this criticism: "An argument some might raise is, 'Aren't you hiding from reality?' I'd say, as a psychologist, that we get fooled into thinking the things we hear about are important to our lives." Dr. Shepherd notes that the violent crimes being discussed are 'low base -rate' phenomena. This means that adolescents are more likely to be hurt by drunk drivers than in violent crimes. "Am I going to spend my time ruminating about how to protect my children from a (killer)? I'm much better off trying to discourage problems like date rape or drunk driving in my own community." THI HURON BXPOBIT011, June 21, 11NI6-3 SEAFORTH & DISTRICT MINOR HOCKEY "DESIGN A LOGO CONTEST" USING THE DALLAS STARS COLOURS THE NEW MINOR HOCKEY LOGO MUST INCORPORATE C4TH AND STARS, DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION WILL BE JUNE 29, 1995 - 6:00 P.M. LOGO SUBMISSIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THE ARENA OR RECREATION OFFICE OR MAIL TO: SEAFORTH & DISTRICT MINOR HOCKEY P.O. BOX 885 SEAFORTH, ONT. NOK 1W0 FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 527.1272 OR 527462 HOMECOMING '95 If you have not received an invitation to Homecoming '95, this is your invitation. Please come into Homecoming Headquarters, Main Street, Seaforth, to pre -register. No charge. Your pre-printed name tags will then be available for you on Homecoming weekend. Tickets for most Homecoming events, as well as many souvenir items, also available at Headquarters. Store Hours Monday to Saturday 10 am - 5:15 pm Thursday Evening 7:00-9:00 pm 527-0722 NOTICE SEAFORTH PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION (HYDRO DEPARTMENT) SUNDAY, JUNE 25,1995 FROM 6 AM UNTIL FINISHED The Seaforth P.U.C. will be replacing the temporary power transformer on Chalk Street with the Re -Built power transformer. The .P P.U.C. will try to carry the Town on the. . Welsh Street Substation., however, the power may have to be shut off in certain areas without notice. We apologize for any inconvenience. The Seaforth Public Utility Commission would appreciate if customers could keep energy use down as much as possible during this period. Projected time allotment to complete this project is 6 to 8 hours. For more information Please call 527-0530 Seaforth P.U.C., Manager, T. Phillips Hot Summer Deals NOW! 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