The author begins with the contention that the resurgent of right-wing political thinking has led to an abdication of personal responsibility for criminal behavior, using as examples the so- called "Twinkie defense" and other arguments that people, because of varying circumstances, cannot be held accountable for their actions. The study described here reported that boys and girls held in Nova Scotia institutions from the 1950's through the 1970's were systematically molested and abused while authorities remained silent. The study met with little response from the public or the government upon its publication, perhaps because these delinquent children were seen as less than credible, and this author castigates society for turning their backs on these vulnerable victims of abuse.