The Editor, Sir:

The Public Defender is setting a very dangerous precedent with his recent speech addressing the recent assaults on suspected homosexual men. While I understand the intent of the Public Defender's speech, I must object to such double speak from a gentleman in his position.

It is one thing to ask these young men to take the high ground and be a bit more careful about how they act when in certain locations. But to suggest that because someone dresses a certain way or acts a certain way, they are somehow responsible for being attacked, is akin to telling a woman that she was raped because her skirt is too short, or I bought an expensive car, so it is my fault that the robbers targeted me. Where do we draw the line at blaming the victim?

The fact is that no individual or group who has been the victim of a violent crime should ever be made to feel that they are to be blamed for the criminal acts of their attackers. It is such thinking that allows these attacks to continue, despite the Public Defender's lofty statements about not condoning violence.

I am, etc.,

RYAN SMITH

Jacanbull@yahoo.com

Via Go-Jamaica