Child Molester

As someone who was sexually victimized by a parent and as a professional who has spent more than two decades helping other professionals understand the inner workings of violent offenders, I am appalled by what happened to Sid Landau (“Convicted Child Molester Is Fired From Job After Barrage of Publicity,” Jan. 15). Being hounded by his neighbors and fired by his employer is a shame of demonic proportions.

But why have these goodly folks limited this atrocity to child molesters? Why not target rapists, wife batterers, exhibitionists, murderers, bank robbers, burglars, car thieves and all other felons? Why don’t we just hound to death anyone ever convicted of any crime? Because we are civilized. Because we have developed culture and have risen above base animal drives. We accept the humanity and dignity of all and allow for redemption and forgiveness. Or do we?

ROBERT B. HARRIS PhD

Clinical Psychologist

Lancaster