My daughter was a victim of rape at the hands of her step-brother when she was just 13 years old. The abuse spanned several months, and during this horrific time, she endured unimaginable trauma.

Her step-brother, now 18 but 14/15 at the time of his offences was convicted of four counts of rape, two sexual assaults, one sexual assault by penetration, and two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child aged 13-15. Despite these serious offences, he received a mere three-year youth referral order consisting of just 40 appointments, a two-year restraining order, and a tag for eight weeks, which doesn't even apply on weekends. This lenient sentencing is absolutely ridiculous and undermines the gravity of his crimes.

Rapists, regardless of their age, should face the full extent of the law for their abhorrent actions. Youths who commit such serious offenses should not receive lesser sentences simply because of their age. The damage inflicted on victims is no less severe, and the legal consequences should reflect that. It is about time our justice system acknowledged this by ensuring that young offenders who commit rape or sexual assault receive the same sentences as adults.

Statistics reveal that lenient sentences for young offenders do not serve as an effective deterrent and may contribute to a culture of impunity. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only a small fraction of sexual assault perpetrators serve prison time, and this rate is staggeringly lower for juveniles. This reality must change. We owe it to the victims and their families, like mine, to ensure that justice is not just a word but a practice.

We need to amend policies to incorporate stricter penalties for youths convicted of rape or sexual assault, equating their punishment to what adults would face for similar crimes. This sends a clear message about the seriousness of these offenses regardless of the perpetrator's age.

Please sign this petition to demand that the legal system imposes adult sentences on youths convicted of such heinous crimes, ensuring justice for victims like my daughter. Let's make a stand for change that acknowledges the severity and lifelong impact of sexual assault.