Education Minister Says Child Molester to Face ‘Severe Consequences’

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Education Minister Hassan Diab stressed on Monday that child molesters at schools in Lebanon would face severe consequences after a teacher at a well-known Catholic school sexually abused 11 children over the past several months.

During a joint press conference with Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour and Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi, Diab said: “Those who carry out such acts will face several consequences and there will be a clear mechanism to resolve these cases.”

Diab vowed that the three ministries would follow up the case and stressed on the necessity of launching awareness campaigns to avoid similar incidents in the future.

The most severe punitive measures should be imposed on the molester, Abou Faour said, adding that the judiciary is now dealing with the case.

The scandal erupted last week when reportedly a six-year-old girl at St. Joseph School in Aintoura told her parents about the abuse.

She reportedly said the 22-year-old arts teacher had instructed her “to lift her skirt before pressing himself up against her.”

The sexual molestation ranged from rape to photographing the girls naked, media reports said.

The school’s president Father Antoine Nakad said at a press conference on Monday that the administration sacked the involved teacher, filed a criminal complaint against him and appointed a psychiatrist to follow up the case with the students as soon as it found out about the sexual abuse.

“If you believe that the measures we took are not enough, we are ready to do what is necessary to compensate the victims,” he stressed.

The teacher, identified with the initials B.Sh., was hospitalized over the weekend after he survived a car crash. He has been placed under a heavy security guard at the Jounieh hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.

Comments 14
Default-user-icon Hang the bastard (Guest) 04 June 2012, 15:20

This sick bastard should have his balls electrocuted, while being ganged raped by a couple of grizzly bears on a daily basis for the rest of his pathetic life. To throw in an extra punishment, this should be all done while watching re-runs of GMA's weekly speeches.

Thumb geha 04 June 2012, 15:49

I am sure that is where you should be put too rudes for your stupid comments that denote what an imbecile you are.

Thumb geha 04 June 2012, 15:49

He should get the maximum penalty possible as explained by the minister of justice.

Default-user-icon hanfouch from dahieh (Guest) 04 June 2012, 16:32

rudes why do you ask him can't you clean yourself? looking at ali ammar and co obviously hygiene is a lost art in dahieh but still.

Default-user-icon Guest (Guest) 04 June 2012, 17:35

His name is Pierre Shalash of Aintoura School in Mount Lebanon.

Thumb jabal10452 04 June 2012, 17:40

Not enough. Life in prison AND castration.

Default-user-icon Dee (Guest) 04 June 2012, 18:03

Hi "british lebanese", has this not ever happened in Britian? Have children never been raped and sexually molested in the UK? This happens every where, not just in Lebanon. I dont thnk its ONLY the government's fault for the acts of this man, i think its the school's fault to have hired someone like this and obviously without screening him. Also, i believe that schools need to take their precautions to not get to this point even if it has to do with spending some extra cash on things called "cameras" so that no teacher would dare to do such.

Default-user-icon Dee (Guest) 04 June 2012, 18:04

But ofcourse schools dont want to spend the money on such, and they dont know that if they did, they will not only be protecting the kids but also themselves. Anyhow, this happens every where, but maybe the government can have a call in this and start setting rules to be implemented in schools and make it a requirement to have cameras and high security. But you are right "britishlebanese" to feel this way after everything we have been hearing in leb.

Default-user-icon LebaneseCanadian (Guest) 04 June 2012, 18:58

You expats, with your condescending attitude. You seem to be confused to who to blame in this case, the politicians or as you said all of us who just go out and run people over. Could it be the SEX OFFENDER perhaps that you could blame? You have great laws in Britain, then how come you have so many sex offenders? Your comment is confusing, but most of all just ignorant.

Default-user-icon Famous (Guest) 04 June 2012, 22:19

I don't know the guy and as a father I totally agree that molesters should be severely punished. But the guy is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.. so please don't jump to conclusions.

Thumb bigsami 04 June 2012, 22:47

For a moment I thought this article was referring to you Candle Thrower! LOL

Default-user-icon Whatvr (Guest) 05 June 2012, 01:06

BritishLebanese, we can do without the condescending British lessons. why don't you go and cheer your queen.

Default-user-icon assaad (Guest) 05 June 2012, 08:08

S'il faisait des photos, c'est pour les transmettre a des amis, la pedopholie c'est souvent un raiseau. Si la police s'interesse à controller son ordinateur et ses contacts elle pourrait peut etre elargir la vue et resoudre d'autre problème.

Default-user-icon Irish born resident of LB (Guest) 05 June 2012, 12:32

Coming from a country that has had a terrible problem of child abuse linked to religious institutions I worry about the situation in Lebanon, where I see the same unquestioning deference to clerics that I saw 20-30 years ago in Ireland. I suspect that in order to preserve face that these cases would be swept under the carpet by the various sects and their supporting politicians and policemen, just as happened in Ireland, US, Belgium, Austria, Australia and many other countries with strong laws and strong governments - stop rubbishing your country!. Clerics of all sects are guilty of making discussion of sexual behaviour taboo & therefore allow perverts to hide behind the ignorance of the most faithful.