When a wrong is committed, there are two main parties - the offender and the victim. The victim has suffered some loss or injury at the hands of the offender. The judicial system is supposed to offer a forum to air the different sides to the case and reach an objective decision as to remedial action. The offender is to be given reasonable punishment for the offence and the victim is to be compensated as deemed necessary for the loss or injury. That is justice.

I have a problem with the results of cases where the offender, though proven guilty, is not punished in any way or is given mild punishment in comparison to the crime. I have heard the argument of being merciful; but I ask, what about mercy and justice for the victim? Why is it that as a society we so often give the offender the right and the victim the wrong?

This is ever more blatant in cases where the offender is a prominent person in society and the victim is a simple unknown, and also when the offender has a high-profile lawyer and the victim has to rely on the integrity of our justice system.

It is beyond doubt that our justice system is in shambles and the morality and integrity of those we look to for justice when we are wronged is part of the problem.

I am, etc.,

Angela Bisasor

a.bisasor@gmail.com