Who is on the boys' side?
published: Monday | July 10, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THIS INCIDENT with the schoolgirl being 'molested' hits really close to home for me because this 'schoolgirl' was like my little sister and those two boys were my friends. The school that they attend is my school ... I am so sad. I can't understand how something like this could happen. That deacon and driver of the van was referred to as "uncle" at our school; that's what everybody called him and was someone most of us could count on for a ride down to Manor Park, or if we were without lunch money, "Uncle" was always there to help us out.

How could he do this to her? And the two boys who are involved ... what were they thinking? These two boys, especially, held a special place in my heart and it makes me so sad to see what they have gotten themselves into as they were doing so well. I don't know what to think because I have read the letters of other people who have just heard the story on the news and it's not the same for me because although what they did was very wrong, these boys are not the monsters people think them to be.

Please don't misunderstand what I am saying, as the girl was also my friend and I am fully aware that she is the victim and will be forever scarred by this incident, but I know that she will be alright; she has so many people by her side and the strength of her mother alone will get her through, but what is the boys' side of the story? Who is on their side?

I am, etc.,

M.G.

gistash@hotmail.com

Via Go-Jamaica