Warning: This story discusses sexual abuseThe home detention sentence imposed on a teenager who sexually abused five girls could deter other victims from coming forward, a psychotherapist fears. Bruce said a number of her teenage female clients had told her they felt the sentence "undermined their own experience" of sexual abuse. Photo / SuppliedOne client told Bruce the sentence put her off wanting to report the sexual abuse she experienced. Client services manager at Bay of Plenty-based Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Julie Sach said, speaking generally, sentences perceived to be light could be "problematic" for sexual abuse victims. The teenager told the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend she experienced sexual abuse and reported it to authorities years later.

Source: New Zealand Herald September 17, 2022 14:34 UTC