To the editor:

Judge Paula Martin’s “creative sentencing” in the case of a gang rape of a 13-year-old girl is appalling. To use an intoxicated child’s “consent” in the rape as a mitigating circumstance is a breach of justice.

Rape is an act of violence against women; in this case the “woman” is a child who has not had the life experiences to understand all the consequences of her actions. Add to that the fact that this is a troubled child who needed the protection of the state from predators like these young men, and you have a recipe for grievous injustice. I suppose Judge Martin’s criterion of “proof” that consent was not given is that she would have to be battered and almost dead.

One of the most important functions of government is to protect the helpless, innocent and the foolish; in this case more consideration was given to the perpetrators who were pleasing themselves. The victim became the villain. No wonder she is disillusioned. Our system has failed her.

Judy Smith,

state director, Concerned Women for America of Kansas