Gender and Crime

I’m sure there is gender based bias in sentencing. Just as I’m sure there is sexual orientation bias in sentencing. But, people are missing the point in the Lafave case.

This wasn’t a case of a statute which treats men harsher, or a judge who took it on his or herself to implement a weaker sentence because of some person morality.

This is about a boy who is terrified (apparently) of a trial, and a prosecutor who made a deal to help the boy out. And suggesting that the case could have proceeded without the boy is missing the point. The boy didn’t want the publicity, which would have occurred if the trial proceeded- with or without him.

I may not like the fact that the woman got off very easily, but I also see the need not to re-victimize the boy.