We may never find out the extent of the psychological scars on Nicki during her "forbidden love" affair with her teacher almost 40 years her senior. It may be buried beneath the smiles and confidence we see in the media. Nicki prefers to leave all the sordid past behind. And she certainly deserves more understanding than the scum in human form who exploited her innocence.
Australian families can't help but feel a deep sense of unease and apprehension that the legal system has failed in its duty of care to protect children and families from predatory sex offenders at school, the very place we believe to be safe for nurturing young minds and souls.
Liberalism and permissiveness in adulthood should not be applied with the same cavalier standards in the education and legal system. Adults often claim that it's "mutual" attraction but wouldn't they be in a better position to recognise and moderate the muddled emotions and raging hormones of a growing kid?
The outrage over awarding Mr Jeff Sinclair is well justified. The flawed system with misplaced sympathy has allowed a pedophile to become a victim, happily milking the taxpayers' money.
Mr Sinclair had been left ''clinically depressed'' as a result of the inquiry. Mr McManamey awarded him $28,000 in back pay plus $317.20 a week from January 21 2004 ''to date and continuing''.
However, it is puzzling why investigations could find "no evidence" of sexual relationship between the errant teacher and a minor. Any literate, sensible human being with some inkling of what morality is, and who have read their email correspondence would have concluded that they had crossed the line of "father figure" and "teenage crush". An illicit relationship had clearly blossomed when Nicki's parents alerted the school.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/07/1081326793568.html
An appalling twist to the saga is that the estranged and long suffering wife of Sinclair has turned into a supportive "stand by your man" icon. She has been publicly defending her husband's infidelity. Stay tuned for more relevations in her soon to be released book. $$$$ !
In online blogs, Ms Sinclair wrote of her husband's past: ''A good man was crucified by a system and left for dead, while the catalyst for his destruction … has become the latest 'gift' to the Australian theatre world.''
http://www.smh.com.au/national/forbidden-love-affair-in-past-as-nicki-blooms-20100116-mdf9.html
4 comments:
I didn't write the letter by "clear glass" but I wish I had. It never ceases to amaze me the lengths the "legal system" will go to, to protect the rights of criminals, especially pedophiles, who break the trust of the young and innocent. Rights are frequently advised, and defended. What about the responsibilities that go with rights. School teachers, lawyers and politicians all have responsibilities towards the young and innocent. In this instance it appears the only one with "rights" is a teacher who breached the professional trust required when working with minors.
I am not sure what, if any, actions we can take to assist Nicki at this time. However, we certainly can STOP rewarding Jeff Sinclair for failing to exercise his professional responsibilities when he clearly should have. I believe Jeff Sinclair's actions were criminal.
I commend Eamon Duff on his article on Forbidden Love Affair in Past as Nicki Blooms (17 January 2010) and Clear Glass’ blog. This Jeff Sinclair was in a position of trust at Baulkham Hills High School, and he betrayed that trust and yet is being applauded for doing so. Whether Jeff and Nicki state that there was no sexual relationship until Nicki turned 16, the fact remains it is a criminal offence to have an intimate relationship in a teacher/student situation. The ineffective legal system has left the relationship between Nicki’s parents and her siblings with their beloved daughter and sister in tatters as a result of Jeff Sinclair’s misdemeanours. How Sinclair’s wife can state that this young school girl was the catalyst for destroying her husband is beyond belief. The young girl is the victim here, not the teacher.
Where does that leave our children in a school system where teachers in the future may not be deterred? Wake up Education Department and lawyers – as long as it’s not in your backyard, it appears to be okay.
My recollection was that even when she was over 20, Nicki still maintained that the relationship she had with Sinclair was of benefit to her and did her no harm. Raging hormones -- I think not. Why write that he was 40 years her senior? Simple research shows you exaggerate by 10 years. The age of consent is 16, like it or lump it. Hence the term paedophile is another exaggeration.
Get some balance in there!
The legal loophole and grey definition of paedophile do not excuse the offender on ethical if not moral grounds. The teacher has abused his position of trust and care for an immature girl who eventually left her teen idol and moved on, stubborn, embarrassed to reflect and pragmatic to turn back the clock. We know of a male teacher who rebuffed and counselled an infatuated beautiful and vibrant female student. We always have great respect for him.
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