Letters to editor

OPINION: University of Michigan should be ashamed of its handling of child porn case

Posted on Sat, Feb 18, 2012 : 7:45 a.m.

(This letter to the editor has been revised to remove statements that presumed guilt on the part of the accused.)

A University of Michigan pediatric resident has been charged with meeting his sexual needs by viewing child pornography on a hospital computer in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

That U-M officials can only see their handling of this incident as a blot on the university's reputation (Cf. Pescoviz "a painful moment in our history") or a gap in administrative directives (Cf. Fitzgerald "the procedures are at fault here, not the people") is unconscionable. Thank God for regents candidate Bernstein, who speaks the truth: "There was an interest in protecting the institution ahead of other interests." Like the safety of vulnerable children perhaps?

The Michigan Child Protection Laws are clear that suspected child abuse and exploitation activities are to be reported to the Police/Child Protective Services. Nowhere does it say that a lawyer is needed to report suspected perpetrators (God help us!) Many brave people without U-M degrees have done it.

Child victims in pornography are not paid actors. They are being exploited and suffering against their wills. They are someone's children. They will never be the same. They are at the mercy of their perpetrators and complicit adults. Their only hope is that frightened, confused and/or indifferent witnesses who may need to be forced, will do the right thing.

'KNOWLEDGE IS POWER" Indeed!!! Shame on the Victors! Hail to the survivors and their protectors!

Pam and Marvin Novetsky
Ann Arbor