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Stewart Wilson deserves a second chance, says psychologist

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'Give Wilson a second chance'

3News NZ

Stewart Murray Wilson, notorious sex offender (file pic)

Stewart Murray Wilson, notorious sex offender (file pic)

A clinical psychologist says that notorious sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson deserves to be given a second chance.

Wilson has been moved from Rolleston Prison in Christchurch to Whanganui Prison as he gets set to be re-housed and monitored in a property on prison grounds next week.

The Whanganui Council is fighting hard against the move, and will launch a legal bid tomorrow to try to bar him from the community.

But clinical psychologist Tony Ward says Whanganui has a part to play in his rehabilitation.

“This will be things like the local employer who gives an ex-offender a crack at a job, a footy club that takes someone on board and says 'okay, you’ve done your time, you’ve paid your dues; we’ll let you play football with our team'.  I mean it’s actually about those small decisions,” he says.

Tony Ward says it's about giving sex offenders a chance to redeem themselves, not turning a blind eye to their crimes.

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Comments

29/08/2012 1:11:48 p.m.

Teari Mern wrote:

I would like to say here as a victim of sexual abuse for 11 years, I gave my abuser a second chance because his family begged me to. It is the only regret that I have. My life will never be sane or safe while he walks the streets

29/08/2012 8:12:22 a.m.

ricardo wrote:

His victim's never got a second chance.

27/08/2012 12:01:51 p.m.

Ashleigh Kirk wrote:

I'm a psychologist working with sexual abuse victims for 28 years. Offenders almost always repeat. No-one knows how to cur them. Does this Psyc mean Wilson should be given another chance to reoffend?

27/08/2012 9:18:11 a.m.

Another Gary wrote:

The real fact of the matter is that Wilson was and still is mentally ill. The sad fact is that we refuse to acknowledge this and so find ourselves in this mess that we are all now accountable for. Unless we have the intellect, courage and vision to address the real problems we solve nothing. Just spouting off about this or that gets us nowhere!

26/08/2012 7:46:44 p.m.

gaille bycroft wrote:

poor Tony sounds like you are not going to be up to the Job.
Seriously no one here will give him a Job if they do I will personally pick on them. He can't play sport because Kids go there. Grow a brain Buddy.

26/08/2012 2:16:55 p.m.

david wrote:

hell yeahh .. lets give stewart wilson another chance... to offend again..and tony ward why don't you agree to let him stay at your house ..REMEBER WILSONS VICTIMS DID'NT GET A SECOND CHANCE WHY SHOULD HE

26/08/2012 1:36:11 p.m.

Moera wrote:

So how can you know when a repeat sex offender is rehabilitated, especially when that person has denied all responsibility for their crimes? Waive a child under his nose and see whether or not he'll help himself??? WOW....I'm amazed that Tony Ward would be so naive as to think that NZders, particuarly Whanganui residents, should give Wilson a second chance. There's a reason why Wilson is called "The Beast of Blenheim" Mr Ward, and for you to ask for a second chance on behalf of Wilson, IMO, is asking too much. The price of child/public safety and animal welfare is too high

26/08/2012 12:49:03 p.m.

teari mearn wrote:

the whole concept of giving them a chance is totally disregarding the victims of the crime. It would be different if the offender showed some real remorse for what they have done, took some ownership of the damage that they have caused. This man has earned his title for a reason, and it has also been stated by other psychologists that he is likely to offend again. There is no such thing as too old to offend, look at the case a few years ago where a 94year old was charged and pleaded guilty to 3 consecutive indecent assault charges, his offending started when he was 70, and didn't finish until he was well into his 80s. on a side note, he is turning 100 today, and now states he only did what the victim requested him to do. The offenders of these crimes need to earn their second chances, and there should be more too it than just spending a few years in jail because they were caught, there needs to be some more restoritive justice, and focus on helping the victims heal and one of those is offenders taking ownership.

26/08/2012 11:33:19 a.m.

Tiree wrote:

Well, perhaps, Mr. Ward could shift to Whanganui and allow him to put his words into practice since viewing Mr. Wilson's lack opf commitment to any form of rehabiltative programme then Mr. Ward can work his magic with this person.

26/08/2012 10:26:54 a.m.

Not-so-sure wrote:

I'm not sure about that. I got this weird notion that public safety, espc. that of kids comes before the rights of an unrepenting sex-fiend. Call me old fashioned and short-sighted. BUT, I'm sure that our man Stewart Wilson is going to offer the guy a job, housing, and playtime with his kids!