Beyond Redemption
Posted on 03. Nov, 2016, in Christian Values, Rehabilitation1 Comment
Journalist Mick Peelo recently presented a Would You Believe documentary called Beyond Redemption? He looked at sex offenders in Ireland and discovered a number of unpalatable truths: most are not paedophiles, most are never caught or convicted and almost 40% of them are children under 18.
Having spent over 20 years investigating sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church he discovers that it’s not just a Church problem, it’s a societal problem. He is confronted with the harsh evidence that most sexual abuse in Ireland takes place within the family and that Irish families are doing exactly what the Church did – covering it up to protect the institution of the family.
He also discovered that demonizing the few sex offenders who are convicted endangers rather than protects children and society; that a more humane approach to sex offenders actually reduces further victims. Miriam Gormally began by asking him why after many years of covering stories on the victims of abuse and supporting zero tolerance, he decided to make a documentary looking at a more holistic approach to dealing with offenders.
This is a fascinating interview. It is so wholesome to move towards an alternative approach to demonising any human being. I was gratified that Mick would not have any abuser just have their abuse written off but rather that they would be treated appropriately for their offences. As long as we throw stones at others, we remain blind to human weakness. Here, Mick proposes true adult compassion and I applaud him for that.