Support needed to avoid sexual stigma

While pleased that the issue of pornography and social networking was highlighted in The Irish Examiner (Oct 15 and 16), I was saddened by the reference to a young 17-year-old woman, still legally a child, as “Slane girl”.

Everyone makes mistakes and thankfully our mistakes are not virally circulated over the internet. I am reminded of the story of Mary Magdalene and conscious of how virtual stones can hurt even more than actual stones.

Young people need to have a sense of belonging and being judged negatively by their peers can have a detrimental impact. When such judgements are highlighted in a nationalnewspaper it is a punishment that is not justified. What young people, their families and friends need in such situations is support and education.