The sad reality of the “underclass”

A Manukau District Court Judge has sent his notes to the NZ Herald to highlight a incredibly sad case in South Auckland, which is almost considered mundane now. They key facts:

• Seven years ago, a 12 year old girl and her her friend were pretending to be prostitutes in Otahuhu, intending to run off with money after being paid, without delivering the service
• The friend got away but she did not
• Despite telling the then 38 year old man that she was 12, he raped her
• The man has just been sentenced to ten years jail for the rape
• The victim, now 19, gave evidence from jail where she is serving time for aggravated rape burglary
  
• The friend is also in jail – for manslaughter

This is tragic on so many levels. The rapist is eligible for parole in just six years. Where were the parents as the 12 year olds were pretending to be prostitutes? How was she allowed to drop out of school at 12 years old?