Hand slap for abuse
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I am outraged at the handling of the sexual abuse charges against Dickey Noto Afiah Ng ("Former USU prof sentenced for sexual relations with teenage boy," Tribune, Nov. 22).
The punishment for his crime (four days in jail) was a mere slap on the hand compared to the long-term psychological and emotional effects of the abuse on the victim. Such effects will take years to overcome, if ever.
By minimizing the punishment of perpetrators of sexual abuse, we condone their behavior, send the message that this is not a serious crime and re-victimize the victim. Perpetrators should be subjected to punishments that are comparable to the damage inflicted on the victim.
John Walker
Salt Lake City