Daraine Luton and Keisha Hill, Gleaner Reporters 
Psychologist Dr. Leahcim Semaj says that rapists are people who have not been properly socialised and are acting out things they learnt in their formative years. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
FATHERS, WHAT if your daughter was raped? This is not something you would want to imagine but an issue worth examining nonetheless.
"As a father, I would be very angry. I would have feelings of revenge and retribution. However, I would allow the law to take its course," says psychologist Leahcim Semaj.
He adds: "I would want the perpetrators to be apprehended if it were a serious offence such as rape or incest. I would also seek counselling for the child. Even as a trained professional, children normally see their fathers as "dads" and not as a psychologist or councillor."
Dr. Semaj says he would prefer the perpetrator to receive counselling, but if he refuses the help, then he definitely should go to prison. He argues that rapists are people who have not been properly socialised and are acting out things they learnt in their formative years.
Lanny Davidson of Fathers In Action says he would first commence his own investigation.
"If I found out that my daughter was molested, abused or raped, I would ascertain whether these incidences really happened."
Children today, he says, are sexually active at an earlier age.
"I would have to make sure that she did not consent willingly to the act," he says.
FEELINGS OF RAGE
Says Mr. Davidson: "If from my investigations my daughter was really abused. I would feel very angry ... actually, I would be in a rage. However, depending on the severity of the case, I would report the matter to the police, especially if it were cases such as rape or incest."
He adds: "I would allow the law to run its course. If it were a minor offence, I would recommend counselling for the perpetrator. I would definitely seek counselling for my daughter."
Mr. Davidson says if it were a situation of rape, he would want the severest punishment for the perpetrator, but this person should also receive counselling.
Many persons, he argues, who commit these acts, are also victims themselves of similar crimes.
"(For) persons such as these, we need to find out what is causing these problems and how to assist them in whatever issues they are facing."
Luther, a 36-year-old driver, says he loves his daughter dearly and everything he possesses belongs to her.
"If my daughter is abused, I would expect her to tell me. I have a good relationship with her and, therefore, I know she will tell me if something like that happened to her."
Luther says he would go to the police station himself and report the matter if it is true. He says he, too, would investigate to ascertain if she had actually been abused.
He adds: "If someone really molested my daughter and the police do not do anything about it, I would go and look for the perpetrator myself."
Not his real name.
