JUSTICE
How is assault victim supposed to ‘behave’?
A state Court of Appeals judge recently overturned a jury’s verdict that found a man guilty of raping a 24-year-old Fayette County woman in 2010. The victim has Down syndrome. In “Appeals court judge under fire for ordering new rape trial” (ajc.com, Feb. 26), the AJC reported that Judge Christopher McFadden said the woman “did not behave like a victim” when she reported the attack.
Sexual violence victims behave differently. Some are vocal. Others are silent. Some are visibly distraught. Others outwardly appear to go on with life as if nothing occurred. Research indicates an estimated 15,000 to 19,000 developmentally disabled individuals will be raped in the United States annually. The developmentally disabled are often more prone to abuse because of emotional and social vulnerabilities and a reliance on caregivers.
Everyone deserves to be safe from sexual violence. And every victim deserves justice.
JENNIFER BIVENS, PRESIDENT/CEO, GEORGIA NETWORK TO END SEXUAL ASSAULT
ETHICS
State must get tough on corrupt officials
Hardly a day goes by where another record-breaking ethics violation in Georgia is reported. If Georgia maintains its reputation as having the worst ethics, the only corporations who invest here will be dishonest. Georgia’s government must ensure that ethics violations are investigated and prosecuted in a timely manner, and that elected officials and government employees are educated about what they cannot do.
Penalties must include expulsion with loss of all benefits, including pensions. Ethics commissions must be adequately funded and staffed with apolitical attorneys experienced in ethics investigations and education. Georgia needs a top attorney with extensive experience in ethics violations to head that commission. Many Georgians object to providing funds for the poor, children, unwed mothers, etc. on the basis that they are freeloaders. However, the real freeloaders are the employees and elected officials of Georgia who take advantage of their positions to increase their wealth.
JERRY WALDBAUM, HOSCHTON
SECOND AMENDMENT
Let’s be realistic about using guns to defend
May I suggest a couple of little additions to HB 875? Please require that gun-wielders committing a crime wear black hats, and those with concealed “protection” weapons wear white hats. That way, when everyone has their guns drawn, embarrassing mistakes can be avoided. In addition, please require the crime perpetrator to count to 100 before he shoots anyone so the protectors have time to get to their guns, remember what they learned in their gun safety classes, and find the guy in the black hat. It’s only fair. Thank you.
KAREN TORGHELE, ATLANTA
