BELFAST TEENAGE RAPE VICTIM

Early day motion 2079, tabled 10 October 2007 by Mark Durkan (Social Democratic and Labour Party). Signed by 34 members.

That this House salutes the brave Belfast teenager who this week, on his 16th birthday, waived his anonymity as a rape victim in order both to expose the convicted paedophile who violated him when he was only 13 years old and to protest at the continued application of the 50 per cent. remission law for sex offenders in Northern Ireland; notes that his rapist was also convicted of sexually assaulting seven other boys and girls with a total of 45 charges, serving a custodial sentence of 13 years and nine months; further notes that, with remand-time discounted, 50 per cent. remission will see this multiple offender released after less than five years; deplores all that this boy has suffered including the stress of court, flashbacks, behavioural change, severe weight-loss and overdoses; believes that the promised Government legislation to end 50 per cent. remission in such cases in Northern Ireland is overdue; encourages Ministers to expedite this; recognises the good work of all the agencies that, beginning with an anonymous telephone tip-off to social workers, acted to bring this predator to conviction; extends its sympathy to all the young victims, their families, friends, schools and all who love and support them; deplores the fact that a young man felt compelled to mark his 16th birthday by sharing his ordeal; applauds his and his parents' courage; wishes him every support for his future; assures him that his cry to Parliament has been heard; and hopes that he can find some consolation when the law is soon changed.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, DUP 8, Conservative 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Liberal Democrat 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.