Sending A Rapist to a Sexual Assault Crisis Center for Community Service

I received this article from the Stamford Advocate in my daily elog for work. Alex Kelly is a rapist who fled the country. He is also a citizen of Darien, which is one of the wealthiest towns in the country.

To the editor:
As the executive director of the Sexual Assault Crisis & Education Center Inc., I take the safety and well-being of our clients very seriously. This is our highest priority. In reference to "Kelly may face obstacles in serving probation" (news story, Nov. 4), I reiterate that at no time would we welcome Alex Kelly or any other offender into our center.In fact, until we received the call from an Advocate reporter, we were unaware that the judge in the case had suggested that Mr. Kelly perform 200 hours of community service at a sexual assault crisis center. While we can understand the judge's intention, this simply would not be appropriate.Second, when asked about the release of Alex Kelly, my exact comment was that while many may have a difference of opinion on whether Kelly served a sufficient sentence, the reality is that he did the time required by law and now is to be readmitted to society.If one disagrees with his release, the disagreement lies with the legal system.
Cathy Malloy
Stamford
The writer is executive director of the Stamford-based Sexual Assault Crisis & Education Center.

The article that they are referencing is how Kelly may not be able to fulfill is requirements of probation. The article http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-kelly2nov04,0,5804037.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines quotes Kathy Malloy.

There is a large disconnect between the legal system and understanding of victims' rights and feelings. Why would an agency that empowers survivors of sexual assault want a convicted rapist to volunteer there??? It would be like sending a convicted pedophile to work in a pre-school.

A lawyer and professor from UCONN commented, "He could learn an awful lot," Fernow said, "but I can't say I'm surprised the rape counselors have no interest." WHAT? He could learn alot? That is ridiculous. This man forced himself on two women as a teenager and then instead of taking responsibility for his actions his rich family sent him to Europe for 10 years. It is disgusting to me. He is 40 and this happened when he was a teenager. Privilege and wealth afforded this man to leave the country and not take responsibility for what he had viciously perpetrated. It is disgusting that the judge presiding over this case cannot see why women's advocacy groups would not want this sexual offender near women. This makes me angry....