I can’t believe how anybody can turn this on Wilma and be so mean. She was just a child she should have been exposed to care – not abuse.

That there are people out there who believe that she should have accepted her fate and made the most of her situation is hard to believe.

That people can so easily ignore and/or forgive the actions or lack of action by the states including their failing in their duty of care is unbelievable.

That the system did not have a process to protect the children is no surprise, it still happens today.

My heart goes out to Wilma. She deserved better.

Education – Keeping them Honest
http://jolandachallita.typepad.com/education/
Our Children deserve better

I tackle Kevin for telling Wilma that she was weak for feeling that her life has been tough. I thought Kevin was being self-righteous, that he lacked compassion and understanding.

Out rush the compassionate storm trropers to attack the defender - or was that to defend the attacker?

BOAZ_David was amazed at how how 'insensitive and repugnant' my sentiments were. I trampled and spat on Kevin's heart, he laments (but Kevin didn't trample on Wilma's heart?). Then BOAZ proceeded to give patronising advice not only to Kevin but also to Wilma. Sensitive soul our BOAZ.

Country Gal agrees with BD - "FrankGol's attack was completely unjustified, and serves only to show him as LESS compassionate." (LESS compassionate than Kevin?)

Compassionate Country Girl thought Wilma brought it all on herself by being 'thoughtless', but she couls see "they are the actions of a girl, one that doesnt necessarily have the mental skills to reason things through." Well, all country girls are like that aren't they?

There seems to be a lot of that problem of reasoning on OLO. Not to mention good old fashioned hypocrisy.

What a bunch of sick miscreants!
Do you lot actually get off on making excuses to protect the powerful institutions in our society while deriding their victims.

I especially love the moronic statement "Anyone who ran afoul of the police or welfare or just about anybody knew what happened. Wilma's not the only kid beaten up by coppers."

Well lets get right back to those days buddy, and you send me your address, and I'll come around and let you really know how I felt to be a five year old who ran foul of the scum of the earth in child welfare. And lets see if you accept my retribution without running off to the cops and demanding justice-

I don't think I need to go looking at all of you miscreant posts to find you lot screaming from the rooftops about punishing criminals and getting tough on crime. But clearly govt and church official rooting children, ruining their lives while selling to the public their access to vulnerabe children as in societies interests and as good works was not a crime hey!

Talk about masturbating in public- you tossers are unreal.

And that Boaz David- my bleeding heart goes out to you and your finding some human attachment with Kevin’s hurt feelings. I think your meds are working too well buddy.

I have got the measure of most of you- probably all retired public officials from the courts or corrections or DOCS who have got fat, lazy and stupid on the wages you received administering these abused kids as they invariably went wrong and ended making up almost half of the crims you no doubt bleet on about in other posts that would shame you efforts here.

As you are all no doubt highly religious- may god have mercy on your corrupted souls! You sad sick units.

As Col Rouge himself- probably the most eloquent of all the miscreants said-

The real failing does not come from the corrupt officials but from those who had a duty of oversight and could (but failed to) intervene when challenged with evidence of abuse, the bishops and senior managers of the institutions and public bureaucrats who simply took the money and washed their hands of their public responsibility. - end quote.

Got your measure very well Mr. Rouge. Corrupt officials are not the problem- somehow it was the lazy stupid ones that were meant to tame the excesses of the corrupt one is what the problem was.

And to the victims of both groups of scum officials- Mr. Rouge’s advice is get over it!

Fair cop guv!

The victims don’t deserve a cent of that tax payers money, but corrupt officials can keep their pensions.

I fully understand your possition.

Well done to you Kevin; that is sincere. It is damn good that though you haven't forgotten, you have coped admirably.

That does not mean that everyone is able to. It doesn't.

That was pointed out, and away we go! YOU can be pretty cutting about Wilma, but tut,tut,tut! FrankGol mustn't say anything unkind to you!

I think Hirez' approach was just what was needed!!

Let these stories be told. Some were destroyed; and I hope the b.stards responsible rot in hell. Especially those protected by the Church.....

Well well well, hasn't this article brought out some lime lighters?Are you missing the point here or are you just jealous that it not your story that Bernie took the time to tell?

Yes Wilma was a victim of the times as many others were, and I'm glad that Bernie wrote about Wilma's experience, if for anything to highlight the actions of what these kids experienced through our State systems. So many people are naive to what goes on in the State system, past and present.

Wilma is not speaking out as a "poor me" victim, she is just telling her story.
I wonder how many of you who posted these comments know the Wilma of today? Because I think you'd all be in for a huge surprise.

I met Wilma when I was 10 years old and she has been like a mother figure to me for 27 years. And it was thanks to Wilma that my life didn't run aground.The morals and ethics of this woman are commendable, her personality is warm and approachable. Yes this is the story of her teen hood but not the story of the person she became.

I believe some of you need to wake up and have a real good look at yourselves, your comments are based around your own experiences. The article was put out for you to read not attack Wilma over.

Wilma, stay as beautiful as you are!