This thread is a testimony to the lure of strawman arguments.
Totally misrepresent what another person said and then attack that thing mercilessly.
Outlaw and his "lurkers" are masters of the fallacy.
EVERYBODY in this thread thinks that touching a child inappropriately, even once, is an appalling crime. The perpetrator ought to have been reported to the police immediately and a full investigation launched.
There is nobody who thinks it was unimportant or that is didn't have the potential to do great harm. The man was a pedophile and should never have been left unsupervised with a child for the rest of his life.
HOWEVER - the incident Dawkins described was "mild" IN COMPARISON to the things that have happened to other children. The consequences for Dawkins were less significant than it may have been.
This sort of conduct was not taken as seriously in previous generations. That it wasn't was partly down to ignorance and perhaps deference. There was also a stoical attitude among upper-class public schools that it was a virtue to not complain. Thankfully things have changed.
It is sad that so many on this forum are so willing to to grossly twist the statements of others for no reason other than their own ego and vindictive nature.
When we post on JWN be warned you are not entirely among friends.
...OUTLAW