More Counselling Needed for Sexual Abusers

Written by Astrid Sesega
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
*Lui Winterstin leaving the Supreme Court for another five years imprisonment* Government needs to step in and help out with the rehabilitation and counselling of abusers, said Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson at the sentencing of twenty three year old, Lui Winterstin, on Monday. This is because the likelihood of abusers re-offending is very high, he stated, unless they receive treatment. He described abusers as having behavioural impairment and a mental disease because in most cases they have been victims of abuse themselves in the past. Although he did say the government needs to make looking into the causes and solutions to these problems a priority, he did commend those who are doing their best to help these offenders. Samoa Victim Support Group, Mapusaga O Aiga and Faataua Le Ola are among those groups being praised. Vui stated, these support groups try their best but it is very difficult with the limited resources that they have. He believes that had Winterstin had the counselling and support required while he was in prison serving his first sentence for Indecent Assault, it is possible these further crimes would not have been committed. Winterstin has been found guilty of one charge of Sodomy and one charge of Indecent Assault. Both victims were males under the age of sixteen years old. The offences took place one separate nights but within one week at the Juvenile Prison. Vui hopes the police authorities will not put Winterstin into the Juvenile Prison again in consideration for the victims and because the first time it was done it was a big mistake. “Prison Authorities must not repeat the same mistake.” He described that not separating young and old in prison is like putting “a wolf into a sheep’s pen.” There were many aggravating factors involved in this case, Vui explained. As a result of Winterstin proclaiming his innocence during the trial the two young males involved had to recount the experience, which Vui explained was very unpleasant for the two victims. It was made very clear by the two that the experience was forced and the incident was traumatic, said Vui. As a result, the victim of Sodomy experienced pain in his lower body for many days after the attack and Vui explained that the males are now fearful of sleeping next to other males. Other factors Vui brought into account during the sentencing was that Winterstin has a record for abuse and continued to maintain he was being framed by the two male victims. There was little in favour of Winterstin, stated Vui. For the charge of Sodomy Winterstin will serve four years in prison and twelve months for the charge of Indecent Assualt. Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Title Comment

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