In Remembrance - Neil Wilkes

Neil Wilkes was a teacher in Manchester, England who had a close relationship with an eight year old girl he taught. He got on well with her and with her family.

But someone decided it was "inappropriate" for a man to befriend a girl, and launched a formal investigation into the relationship.

There was no evidence that Neil Wilkes had done anything wrong.

All the same, Neil lost his job and the girl's family was frightened into breaking off all contact.

One year ago, on October 20th 2010, Neil Wilkes went to a quiet tourist spot, sent a text message to the girl telling her "I love you and I always will", doused himself with fuel, and set himself on fire.

When this finally hit the news in February 2011, a commenter in Indonesia wrote "This is true love." A commenter in Zimbabwe asked why Neil would do this, as there is nothing better than love for a child. Commenters in Britain, of course, heaped their scorn on Neil and the girl's parents for allowing such a friendship.

We don't know if Neil was a girl lover in the sense that we usually mean it, but he was certainly a man who loved one little girl - and his case highlights the depths to which the English-speaking nations have fallen, where Love is considered the gravest of all crimes.

But we here at GirlChat believe that Love is a good thing.

Let us pause for a moment to remember Neil Wilkes, and all those who have been persecuted for loving children and for treating children with dignity and respect.

Let us also remember that though the English-speaking nations may despise us, there are many in the world who do not worship fear and hate.

Love will triumph yet. Love must prevail.