When I first heard about the sentencing given by Judge Nicholas Rowland to two teenage boys who raped teenage girls, I was horrified. These boys not only committed a grievous crime by repeatedly assaulting the girls, but they went further by filming these assaults and distributing them on social media—a clear, undeniable act of intent and malice.

Judge Rowland's decision to spare these boys from criminal penalties under the guise of avoiding 'criminalising' them due to their young age was a gross miscarriage of justice. Allowing them to evade significant consequences neglects to acknowledge the severity of their actions and abandons the victims to lifelong trauma. Courts should aim to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice is served, particularly in cases with such grave violations.

The leniency portrayed in this case not only fails the victims but sends a dangerous message that such heinous behaviour might be overlooked if one is deemed "very young" – a rationalization that utterly disregards the experiences and suffering of the victims. It sets a disturbing precedent, suggesting that age could negate accountability, which could embolden potential offenders.

In light of these concerns, it's imperative that Judge Rowland is removed from any future judicial responsibilities. If we are to have faith in the judicial process, those who sit in judgment must act impartially and with due consideration to the nature of the crimes and the impact on the victims.

We must act now to ensure that justice is truly blind and unbiased, and that it genuinely represents the gravity of the offense rather than the age of those committing it.

Please sign this petition urging the judicial panel to review Judge Rowland's capacity to serve and take appropriate action to prevent similar misjudgments in future cases. The welfare of victims and the integrity of our legal system hang in the balance.