Allegations of Abuse in NZ
	peterellis Home / abuse allegations / Peter Stewart Peter Stewart - News Reports - Page 2
	The Press December 21 2007 Stewart's supporters must face reality of his crime Letter to the Editor by Carol Martin, Waltham It's not surprising New Zealand has high child-abuse statistics if the attitude of Peter Stewart's family and friends reflects the mentality of mainstream New Zealand (Dec 20). A close friend says Peter "wasn't that sort of guy". Well, he is that sort of guy -- a child abuser who used his privileged position of wealth and power to sexually abuse a child over a number of years. He fits the profile of similar so- called pillars of society -- ministers, priests, doctors, politicians -- who have been convicted of similar atrocities against children. Stewart's supporters seem so blinded by his wealth and power that I fear for any child in their families who tries to disclose sexual abuse; they are likely to be disbelieved and sacrificed because the picture offends their parents' sensibility. Convicted child-sex abusers should receive a mandatory death sentence. Children are precious treasures, not sexual playthings.