I REFER to the recent alleged rape case involving a girl with impaired hearing who was slightly mentally handicapped. Since I was not present at the hearing, I do not wish to comment on the result of the case and the circumstances leading up to the acquittal of the defendant.
The case does, however, raise significant issues of how the court should handle cases involving disabled people. We strongly suggest that a working party be formed by the Chief Justice at an early stage to formulate guidelines on how judges and magistrates should deal with these types of cases.
This association works with more than 5,000 mentally handicapped people and their families and if we are able to assist we would be pleased to do so.
JOHN BUDGE Chairman The Hong Kong Association for the Mentally Handicapped
