Sex assault counselling - We must not forget rights of victims

The decision by a judge, in the case of a disturbing sexual assault by a 16-year-old youth on a four-year-old girl, that the defendant's family should pay for counselling for the victim and her family, was a wise one in the absence of any statutory provision for psychological assistance.

The mother of the little girl had claimed that they would have to wait for up to 30 weeks before they received counselling, although the perpetrator, who pleaded guilty, received counselling and therapy immediately.

To the mother, and, indeed, to any reasonable person, the injustice of this situation is self-evident, and it perpetuates the perception that the system favours the guilty over the victims.