Madam, - Don Boardman (September 15th) writes that he finds One in Four's objections to the Late Late Show interview with Mr Jake Goldenflame, a convicted paedophile, "baffling". I write to clarify for Mr Boardman and your readers the reasons for our concern.
Mr Boardman suggests that One in Four's director, Colm O'Gorman, finds "it unacceptable to imagine that those who have been sexually abused may have a propensity towards sexually abusing other people". Neither One in Four nor its director have ever stated that we find it incredible that a minority of those who have experienced sexual violence as children may go on to perpetrate sexual violence upon children themselves. Nor would we suggest it was unacceptable for any person to "imagine" anything; rather we would ask that such "imagining" be carefully considered before being presented as fact.
What One in Four objects strongly to is the suggestion made by Mr Goldenflame, and not in any way challenged by the show's presenter, Pat Kenny, that it was common for victims of sexual abuse to become abusers. Mr Goldenflame actually suggested it is common practice for therapists to advise victims of abuse to avoid being alone with children.
Mr Boardman quotes a number of eminent academics whose research suggests there is indeed a link between perpetration of sexual violence and victimisation as a child. Such research, which we both accept and welcome for its contribution to our collective appreciation of the complexity of this issue, tells us that between 40 and 65 per cent of those who commit sexual offences have themselves been sexually abused. It highlights a potential link between perpetration and victimisation; however, it does not suggest in any way that a similar link exists between victimisation and perpetration. In other words, research does indeed suggest that many perpetrators of sexual violence against children may have been themselves victims of sexual abuse as children; but, crucially, it does not suggests that many victims of sexual violence go on to become perpetrators. If we are to combat the damaging mythology that has built up in this regard, both in the minds of the public and in the minds of some professionals such as Mr Boardman, it is vital that we avoid misguided and mistaken interpretations of such research.
For the record, One in Four supports and has called for an increase in services which provide treatment to perpetrators of sexual violence. We believe that Irish society, legislators and policy makers, must examine the issue of sexual violence from every perspective, including that of the perpetrator. We do not, however, accept that the Late Late Show's approach was on this occasion either helpful or appropriate. The interview with Mr Goldenflame was not part of a broader discussion or debate. Instead his assertions and groundless suggestions, which demonised victims and objectified his own victims, went unchallenged and unchecked. Rather than inform and challenge public opinion, the interview reinforced gross stereotypes and myths surrounding sexual violence.
One in Four's views in this regard are informed by our clinical work with those who have experienced sexual violence as children and also through our work with perpetrators of sexual violence. In 2004 we established an outreach project, the Perpetrator Assessment and Treatment Programme, which provides expert clinical assessment and treatment to perpetrators of sexual violence. Our clinical team has extensive experience of this work and is increasingly recognised as expert in the field by other agencies and by the courts. One in Four believes that, in the interests of appropriately addressing the complex issues arising from sexual violence, Irish society must be prepared both to ask challenging questions and to face challenging truths. We demand nothing less from our own organisation. - Yours, etc,
THÉRÈSE GAYNOR,
Clinical Director, One in Four,
Holles Street,
Dublin 2.