Child molester was victim of Ed Horne

I am so sorry for the 41-year-old Iqaluit male who forced himself on a girl under the age of 14 on May 15 — a girl with a “mental deficit.”

I am sorry for him because he, like so many others, is a victim of convicted pedophile Ed Horne.

This male victim of Ed Horne was sentenced to nine months house arrest for sexual assault and sexual interference with a minor child. The conditional sentence was given rather than jail time due to this man being a victim of Ed Horne.

What I want to know is this: Will Ed Horne be punished for his part in this crime against yet another child? Now that we are witnessing a second (or maybe a third) generation of Ed Horne victims, will he be punished for his legacy of destruction? He will soon be eligible for release and yet his grievous damage continues to devastate countless victims. When his punishment is considered completed, he will be released.

What kind of society do we have when we cannot protect our children, our disabled and our most vulnerable citizens? Such crimes must receive the harshest possible penalties. Perpetrators must receive appropriate rehabilitation if they are to be released into society. And most of all, victims need support and counselling so that we may stop this cycle.

I hope that this young girl has support, care and protection to survive this terrible thing that has been done to her.

Lydia Bardak
Tizzard’s Harbour, Nfld.