Dear Editor,

With the excitement of reading Facebook being all the rage, it’s no wonder when the opportunity presents itself, there are no boundaries. There is no respect for privacy or confidentiality. There is only the fascination of peeking into someone else’s life, fantasy world or fun factory.

Sexual behavior involving educators and their students is steadily increasing at an alarming rate. Even at the higher level of education, the American Samoa Community College,  reports have been made and some are still processing. Then there are the reports from high school and junior high levels where children have been impregnated. Without any conscience or sense of fear, sex perpetrators have moved up the protected ranks to our babies in elementary schools. For all we know, the ECE infants have already been compromised.

Sexual predators within the ranks of educators are beginning to become a high risk for our children. Who is liable? Is it the institution, the underage student or the government for mandating children to attend school without protection from the institution?

Prosecution and incarceration of charged sex offenders doesn’t seem to slow them down. The laws that protect our children from sexual abuse are being ignored and disrespected. Is it because penalties are lenient? In High Court, the notion of being the only bread winner seems to trump justice for the victims. After serving 1/3 of their time they are eligible for parole. Deportation? Who cares as long as they are free on their own island.  

So what is left to stem the sexual abuse tide that is over running our little territory?  Why is it so difficult to corner the increasing sex crime rates?

Concealing shame within a family, institution or nation, perpetuates these criminal behaviors. Public shame can save a nation and is stronger then any prison wall.

Shame brought upon an entire family, clan, church and country, has its own consequences. It is more effective than an Ifoga. The shameful act falls directly back on the offender. Without violence, it is his/her family, church and village, that will mete out their own level of justice. Thus the proverbial saying, “ E pala le ma’a ae le pala le tala.”

I believe we have toyed with the Sex Offenders Registration Notification Act (SORNA) long enough. It is time for our law makers to give the thumbs-up.

Sex offenders have cornered our children and, your grandchildren in the homes, churches, and now in the schools. With the offender’s age, social status, public service and eloquence; it is easy for them to defend themselves, blaming the child.

Sexual predators are famous for using electronics and social media to groom, court, solicit and pimp children. Children are unknowingly exposing their parent’s criminal sex activities. With that exposure, they are now faced with defending their very lives from their own parents. SORNA, it’s time.

Ipu Avegalio Lefiti,

Advocate for victims of crime