Foundation condemns suspended sentence in child abuse images case
Lisa Maria Foundation says ruling undermines deterrence and fails victims of child sexual abuse
The Lisa Maria Foundation has criticised a court decision to spare a man convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material from prison, saying the ruling "minimises" the seriousness of the crime and undermines efforts to deter future perpetrators.
Earlier this week, Alvinleigh Hili, a software developer from Fgura, was handed a two-year prison term suspended for four years after he admitted to possessing around 100GB of child sexual abuse material. His name will be entered in the register of sex offenders.
The court spared him an effective prison term after finding “special and extraordinary” reasons to go below the minimum punishment set by law after the accused sought therapy voluntarily and was following treatment.
The Foundation said it was “even more appalling” that the psychologist “diminished the severity of the crimes” when she told the court Hili “only” accessed child abuse material for four months before seeking help and that his access was not constant.
“Whilst it is positive that the accused sought help, that does not erase all of the harm done to all the children that were subject to abuse for the creation and distribution of these images,” the Foundation said.
“The fact remains that the man was in possession of 100GB of child sexual abuse material and any amount of help sought does not delete this crime or remove the severe impact on these children.”
The Lisa Maria Foundation insisted child abuse must be taken “more seriously”. She pointed out that victims of child abuse suffer long-term effects as a consequence of their abusers and “deserve justice” while abusers “need to feel that the criminal justice system is a deterrent”.
“Such leniency reported sends the message that child abuse is in some way excusable as long as help is sought by the abuser,” the Foundation said, adding that in such a scenario “fighting child abuse as a nation will continue to be a struggle”.
“We should be adopting a whole society approach that child abuse is unacceptable, inexcusable and punished adequately by law.”