Rape case ruling: Girl Guides call for action

AS an organisation that has more than 10,000 female members — 80% of whom are under the age of 12 — the Irish Girl Guides must add their voice to those who are outraged that, as a result of the Supreme Court ruling last week, there is at present no law in the land that protects our members from sexual predators.

How can we as youth leaders facing a summer of local and regional camp outings take our precious charges away on such trips, promising parents we will look after them, while there is no law that promises the same?

The Irish Girl Guides are planning an international camp for 2007. Invitations have gone out to guiding and scouting organisations around the world who will be bringing to our shores many girls aged 12.