Good, not bad, laws needed to protect children

By Sandy . . .

This was written as a rebuttal to an editorial in the Longview, WA Daily News:

In response to your March 13 editorial, “Laws help keep children safe,” I would first like to thank you for your condemnation of vigilante activity. Fully agreeing with the title of your op-ed, I too want laws that help keep children safe, and there is nothing about vengeance-motivated activity that works toward that goal.

The organization you criticize, WAR, or Women Against Registry, is one of several organizations that advocate for laws that do just that — keep children safe. Another is SOSEN, Sex Offender Solutions and Education Network. And yet another is RSOL, Reform Sex Offender Laws, Inc. These organizations agree with what research studies show: laws that keep children — and indeed everyone — safe must, in order to do that, be based on facts and empirical evidence.

The public registry system is not based on empirical evidence, and, in your defense of it, you say that the murder of Adam Walsh is “not uncommon.” Actually, it is very rare. Whether or not Adam’s kidnapping and subsequent murder were sexually motivated will never be known, but it was a heinous crime as was the murder of Megan Kanka and another handful of horrific child murders at the hands of murderers.

Your statement that WAR grew out of murders such as these is untrue. WAR, SOSEN, and RSOL grew out of a realization, based on research, that public registration of those who had previously committed a sexual offense — not murdered, not decapitated, but committed an offense ranging from the trivial to the serious — actually was not deterring sexual crimes against children at all. It was in some cases increasing the risk for re-offense, and it was and is creating conditions that seriously interfere with mandated rehabilitative efforts.

It was and does negatively impact the lives of family members, especially the children of registrants. This is well documented through research studies.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, “[t]hese policies have led to multiple collateral consequences, creating an ominous environment that inhibits successful reintegration and may contribute to an increasing risk for recidivism. In fact, evidence on the effectiveness of these laws suggests that they may not prevent recidivism or sexual violence and result in more harm than good.”

Reform organizations do not defend the actions that have triggered registration, and we recognize appropriate punishment as desirable and necessary, but it is difficult to claim that, in all cases, the children suffer through the actions of the registrant family member rather than the effects of public registration. Many situations exist where the offense was committed when the registrant was a child or juvenile himself. A number of cases involve premarital sex where the offender and “victim” later married and had a family, yet the offender remains on a public registry, often for life, and his children suffer greatly due to it. This continuation of punishment long after a sentence has been completed is but another form of vengeance and amounts to legalized, governmental vigilante action, exacting punishment far beyond what the courts assessed.

The impotency of the public registry to deter re-offense and to protect children is well documented also. Dr. Bill O’Leary is a forensic psychologist and longtime critic of public notification and tracking. He notes, “95 percent of sexual abuse occurs between a victim and a known acquaintance, not a stranger living down the street. One of the most unethical pieces of the situation has been saying that we need to do this to prevent sexual abuse when we know statistically that this has nothing to do with preventing sexual abuse.”

According to the United States Department of Justice, from 1992 to 2010 there was a steep decline in all major crime. There is no evidence that a decrease in sexual crime is due to our current policies, and that theory is actually negated by research.

Many people and organizations advocate every day for policies that will keep children safe, but we know that until the focus is put on the victims and the actual facts about child sexual abuse, that is highly unlikely to occur.

Source at Daily News, Longview, Washington.

Sandy Rozek

Written by 

Sandy, a NARSOL board member, is communications director for NARSOL, editor-in-chief of the Digest, and a writer for the Digest and the NARSOL website. Additionally, she participates in updating and managing the website and assisting with a variety of organizational tasks.

56 Thoughts to “Good, not bad, laws needed to protect children”

  1. AvatarPaul

    “The Supreme Court in 2002 and again in 2003 reasoned that sex offender registration is a reasonable civil law designed to protect the public. We agree.”

    Really? Is that so? You agree that registration is just like going to the DMV to register an automobile? You agree it is “civil” in that it is not punitive? I’d like to know what universe you live in. If you don’t think this is a punishment, I’d like you to invite you to try to live a week in my shoes. And don’t give me the usual jive that you’ll never have to since you didn’t commit a crime. ANYONE without exception is not immune to being placed on the registry.

    “Is society better served by the public knowing where these predators are living? We thinks so and, as parents, we appreciate these laws.”

    Oh please. If the registry actually did what it says it does, we would be hearing about “success” stories all of the time in the news. Why don’t we…..just think about it!!!! The media LOVES to promote the registry on Halloween. They love to talk about the times when someone fails to register. Why wouldn’t they use examples of its efficacy? Because it doesn’t do what it promises. It only makes you feel like it does. I’m glad you appreciate these laws. Perhaps you can tell that to yourself when someone you love is placed on it. Then we’ll see how much you appreciate them.

    1. AvatarEmil S

      Good job Sandy.
      The more outreach this issue gets, the better.
      With the number of registrants increasing (due to the blanket coverage for even minor offenses), sex offender registry will hopefully fall under its own weight.

    2. AvatarDad

      If you Mr Paul, could state those exact words to congress. They would all hide under the table.

    3. Avatard

      It’s just so damn hard to change peoples minds. Emotion, not facts, is how people form opinions and that carries over into legislation. There’s plenty of data showing that these sex laws do more harm than good. No politician gives a damn about the facts, only popular opinion.

      Thanks to the media the general public has the impression there’s a child predator behind every bush. As if that’s not scary enough, now when Suzie reaches college age she STILL isn’t safe because of “rape culture”! Ugh. I hate that term. That 1 in 4 statistic that’s being constantly cited? It is not accurate. The D.O.J. issued a report recently that puts it at around 7/100. Which is not acceptable but a hell of a lot less than 1/ 4. But who cares about the facts? I do, now, but until i got arrested none of this stuff was on my radar. Like many citizens, i held a naive belief that the system was (with the exception of the drug laws) mostly fair.

      I know we have some super attorneys fighting for us. Maybe they CAN win some of our rights back. But like the war on drugs, until popular opinion begins to change -and it is, a little, thanks to some of the Romeo and Juliet cases, and the controversy over putting juveniles on the registry, i think we are gonna remain pretty much f**ked. Maybe i’m wrong and this can be settled in courts but i really believe there needs to be a shift in the hearts and minds of your average citizen. Perhaps when the registry gets so big that everyone has a loved one convicted of a sex crime, maybe then things will change.

      Until then, stay positive and keep your chin up!

    4. Avatard

      Correction: The DOJ rape statistic is 6.1/1000 for students and 7.6/1000 for non-students. The DOJ report shows rape has actually been declining the last 20 years!!

      Oh those pesky facts!

    5. AvatarStill not a statistician....

      To add to the stats being stated here, this is from a NRSOL tweet I read yesterday (http://www.campusreform.org/?ID=7473):

      1 in 52.6 college women will be sexually assaulted over four years, from the US Bureau of Justice Stats (http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rsavcaf9513.pdf)

    6. AvatarMike

      We have been so isolated and thus have done a very poor job of organizing. There are over 800,000 on the registry and only a small percentage are in state or national organizations. We should in a very determined manner, systematically contact as many RC’s as possible with the goal of increasing memberships in the various state and the national organizations. Not just the RC but their families as well. States with an active state group have done a good job in slowing down the onslaught of new laws. Even if every member contributed as little as $5 or $10 a month it would go a long way toward funding legal challenges but maybe more importantly an orchestrated PR campaign. While we wait, the political machines with goals of currying political favor rumbles on.
      With enough money and a well researched PR campaign, we should attack the registry itself on as many levels as possible. The original Doe decision was reached in large part by the SCOTUS belief that recidivism rates for sex offenses were high and research says that is not true.
      Waiting is just putting one bullet in a gun, spinning the chamber and waiting for the boom. Legislation is just getting worse.

  2. AvatarJosh

    Sandy,

    Great article and thank you for your continued support of laws based on fact and not fear.

  3. AvatarBill

    I know is probably a long shot, but is there any way we can get our voice out there?

  4. AvatarRichard

    Would someone be able to explain how being on the registry increases the chances of re-offending, I’m not sure I understand the correlation.

    Thanks

    1. AvatarMatthew

      Being on the registry increases the likelihood of recidivism, because people on the registry are likely to face problems with housing, employment, residency restrictions, travel restrictions, and a host of other barriers to successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The registrant then feels helpless and hopeless.

    2. AvatarPaul

      I haven’t seen any statistics that says it increases sexual recidivism but I have read where it can increase recidivism for general crimes.

    3. AvatarMaybe check the stats for specificity?

      I think Paul the stats will show you to be correct it could lead to other crimes being committed, but I don’t think it is a large number if I recall correctly…..

    4. AvatarPaul

      Maybe check,

      You are right. The difference is marginal. I did “check the stats” :o)

    5. AvatarI don't see the correlation you make

      I can say, Matthew, your last point about helpless and hopeless is certainly feasible, but nothing else relates to repeating a sex crime, which is the point folks make about the registry and folks repeating a sex crime.

    6. AvatarNot an statistician....

      Richard,

      That is a $100,000 question! If anyone, ANYONE, can find some sort of statistical correlation to being on the list and recidivism of another sex crime of the same type, let’s hear it!

      I believe I read yesterday in the The Daily News out of Longview, WA there is a commenter in the comment section who said someone did recidivate again because they were on the registry. The person supposedly who did it admitted they did it because they were on the registry. Blatantly done of course, but still does not give us any correlation.

      Stats! People need stats!

    7. AvatarEmil S

      Being in the registry isolates a person from the society with its inherent restrictions in terms of the place to live, find work, or social interactions, even a place of worship like churches.
      Loneliness or isolation is the cause of much of issues or problems. When people are alone they are more prone to be depressed, consequently their mind is at the mercy of whatever thoughts come to the mind. Also without family member/s or loved ones around, there is a lack of that circle of checks and balance which we all need in terms of guidance or support system.
      So remove all that which makes us connected human beings and you end up with detached asocial beings which is what the sex offender registry does.

    8. Avatard

      Yep. Well said. Isolation and destroying a persons sense of humanity is not good for mental health. Seems obvious.

  5. AvatarJerry

    Nice job, Sandy! I still feel that our best way to eliminate the injustice known as sex offender registration is through the courts. Elections have consequences. We have a chance to replace one of the most conservative Supreme Court justices –Scalia– with a person who will help us in our move to eliminate the registry. No one who is on the registry nor their family members, regardless of their political affiliation, have any business voting for a Republican for president if we really want to do something about this dreaded sex offender registration.

    The only way to rid this country of the draconian, pilgrim-based criminal laws that created the registry is through the courts with unelected progressive judges who do not have to fear conservative special interest groups in the next election. Our elected officials are still tied too tightly to special interest groups that force knee-jerk reactions to imagined crime waves fanned by media hyperbole. If they do take a stand based on empirical evidence rather than false hype, they are primaried by the religious right in the next election. Thus, our only hope is through the courts–a progressive Supreme Court. Think about it before you vote for president in November!

    1. AvatarPaul

      Garland is too moderate, in my opinion. We need a much more progressive justice to tip the scales.

  6. AvatarJewel

    As I keep stating, the dreaded “registration” should be for all and not specific to sex offenders. Every criminal mind has the potential to kill or maim a child or teen or anyone. Murderers or drug traffickers are not labeled once they are released from jail and some have murdered and provided drugs to children. We must change the law. The same way all the gay community changed the law to their favor, than the sex offenders, who did their time and paid the price, need their civil rights and liberties allowed. We must band together to make a stand!

  7. Who’s a sex offender? I’m reminded of the lady caught in a adultery Jesus said to those in authority Render to Cesar what is Cesar’s and to God what is God’s. I believe we are all are male and female sex offenders. Don’t we offend each other in some ways’ mean’s and form.. Whether its on the job, being rude to others, pissing off your neighbors or others things.
    This sex registry is so different and really needs to be abolished or tone down a bit as its a smorgasbord of human behavior and police are taking advantage of it. Sure everybody is tempted when it comes to sex, so to be an expert one would have to be an offender or know something about human nature.
    On a more lighter note, they take paddling’s out of schools? Isn’t that a form of abuse to a male or female? Even housing restrictions are a form of abuse. I think they call that discrimination. Talk about the modern day leper.
    I doubt very seriously that one is going to take a telescope and look out their window at some child if they lived next door to them. I don’t even think they had that episode on Father’s knows best.
    All of this is ridiculous and madness. Most all these things are done thru the internet anyway and who knows who’s really behind that screen until they confront the situation. And who really knows one’s intent if they don’t explain it up front at first but rest a sure that one knows the intent when they put the handcuffs on one.

  8. AvatarEmil S

    I saw that those in the registry in California have sued the website called Homefacts.com because they put their name, photograph, and personal information in their private website.
    I was wondering if people in the other websites want to do the same. These private website further stigmatize people in the registry.

    I’m in North Carolina, I’m ready to take on these good for nothing hyena websites.

    Link to the article –
    http://californiarsol.org/2013/03/sex-offenders-sue-over-personal-info-posted-online/

    1. Avatard

      Wonderful news! Sites like Homefacts should NOT be legal. Just another business profiting from the “Megan Franchise”.

    2. AvatarPaul

      They should certainly be sued for their extortion practices. I’m wondering, though, if they would claim that they are just using the public domain and are allowed to do that. I certainly agree that they shouldn’t be PROFITING off it it, though. I hate the idea of a group or individual profiting off of other people’s misery. Certainly it’s not just Home Facts who does that.

    3. Avatard

      There’s so many inaccuracies with Homefacts. I’m in a small town and i saw a woman in my area listed on Homefacts for assaulting a child. Curious, i googled her name and lo and behold her charges had been dropped. When i looked up my name i saw they had my charges wrong. Those are the only two names I looked up and both had incorrect information. Wouldn’t that be against the law? Spreading incorrect and potentially damaging information about someone?

      If i was that woman i would sue the crap out of them.

    4. AvatarPaul

      You are right, D. Homefacts will list you even after you have died. Apparently they still think we can haunt people beyond the grave. Does the SOR actually list dead people?

    5. AvatarJoshua

      Emil,

      I agree if this lawsuit is successful I will certainly explore the option of filing a similar suit here in Kansas.

    6. AvatarCasper the RSO

      At one time suicides were not allowed to buried in cemeteries or they were planted out in the perimeter. Suicide was a sin and it was believed if you killed yourself you went to hell.

      I recently read an article about a woman who wanted a tombstone removed from a cemetery because the deceased was accused of molesting children.

      I can understand the woman’s anger. Just seems like bad precedent. Who knows? Maybe there will be “residency” restrictions in burial grounds someday….

    7. AvatarCode red

      Well you local senators have sought sweetheart deals on robbing the rituals of the forgiving few whom served in the military. They are codified and disavowed form being laid to rest at national cemeteries no matter
      How decorated or mentally ill they’ve become. The mere mentioning of all these super suggestions comes
      From not have a real agenda or plan to fully serve the people. What does it mean to give or risk you life? It certainly includes the propensity of falling ill mentally which effect criminal
      Choices. All too the exposures of alternate realities converge into domestic realities, which in turn rapidly collide and cause long term congenital effects. Take a wolf from his element and he will be almost infant like. Take a human from one continent and place in to a ultra modernized state and he will have to question every concept by trial or error or an absolute level of ambiguity. For a nation to contain Christians edifications and but to leave out forgiveness in redemption will someday fall to the ruins because of its captors. Rehabilitation has seriously been rescinded from the formal of offender accountability, like it is a mythical bygone.

  9. AvatarRichard

    When politicians stand before congress, and people of the like, and being to quote stats and facts that are false, where are they getting this information from? I have seen a few times on this site people stating how expert’s opinions don’t align with current laws or how information from the DOJ themselves differ from the rhetoric of politicians. I am just curious where they are getting their facts from?

    I was attending college right around the time Wikipedia became popular and I remember my professors saying that Wikipedia does not qualify as a reputable source and we were not permitted to use it on research papers. I was required to cite scientific journals (if the paper required) or reference experts in their respective area of research. In the grand scheme of things writing papers for college could be described as trivial, but when it comes to people’s livelihood…how are politicians able to get away with using “wikipedia facts”?

    1. FredFred

      They don’t use Wikipedia or any other source for information. You are implying that politicians are actually putting in the effort to research the topic at hand. It does not work that way. The information is often given to them by whomever is pushing for the law and they use that rhetoric with out looking into it further.

      My opinion is it would help to stop thinking of politicians as servants of the people and recognize them for what they really are; “salesmen/women”. They say whatever they have to say to sell that bill. A lot of what they say was made up right on the spot or very recently. Just like a used car salesman trying to sell you a lemon, they make money from these lemons of laws.

      They are well aware of the facts that these laws do nothing to protect anyone. That is the last thing they are concerned about. They hear that, they just don’t care. For them it is only about strengthening themselves politically and financially.

      Until they get the message that this money train is not going to run for them anymore, they will continue to ride it.

    2. AvatarRichard

      And they call me a “predator”… HA! They are predators in their own right!

      It’s sickening that no judge will have the courage to stand up for what is right! Cowards! Every last one of them!

      I have seen stories where people have been imprisoned for running a scam after a disaster because they profited off of the poor and needy…is this not the same tactic?

      Money is the root of all evil.

    3. Avatard

      Way i feel Richard. I was arrested in an online sting. Cops pulled a “bait and switch” and did their utmost to encourage me to do something that has destroyed my life. They said the sting “broke a child sex trafficking ring”. Complete rubbish. Answering an ad posted on an adult site by someone who initially claims to be an adult?

      The police chief said flat out at his big press conference that the sting was to prove the need for more funding “to keep children safe”. Mr. Chief could barely contain his glee. This little city in the middle of nowhere has gotten millions from the feds to pull this kind of crap. Far as I know they have never actually caught anyone doing anything to anybody…only stings. Hey…as long as the money keeps pouring in it’s all good right?

      Live well Richard. Being strong and living well is the best way us little guys can get revenge against the system.

  10. Avatard

    There’s a bill being proposed in Minnesota to further restrict where registrants can live. It is being sponsored by Rep. Jim Newberger, R-Becker. Read these quotes by Newberger. The quotes appeared in an article written in the twin cities Pioneer Press:

    Newberger objected to another legislator’s comment that the bill was “all about emotion,” but added, “We’ve heard terms like ‘plans,’ ‘research’ and ‘studies.’ These words bring very little comfort to a community that’s facing a Level 3 sex offender being placed.”

    Doesn’t Newberger sound like a moron? Plans. Research. Studies. Jimbo can’t be bothered with such nonsense. He’s lucky he’s a politician and not in a job that requires any thinking.

    1. Avatard

      I mean…wouldn’t it be great if “plans, research and studies” were part of the legislation process? Maybe then we WOULD have some good laws that protect children instead of protecting politicians jobs.

    2. Avatard

      Here’s a link to the whole article. RSOL has already featured this but here it is anyway:

      http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4001179-bill-mostly-bans-sex-offenders-twin-cities-metro-area

    3. AvatarRichard

      Do the politicians not realize that they are not fixing the real problem? (That is a rhetorical question!)

      They are trying to protect the lives of children who may or may not commit a sex crime in the future…and the then cycle continues. They just set more restrictions, thinking that will solve the problem.

      I know that it is not an easy question to be answered, but what can be done to intervene at an earlier time to prevent sex crimes all together?

    4. AvatarPaul

      It’s a little like Minority Report, eh Richard? Instead of relying on precogs, they rely on other unscientific methods to determine our level of future dangerousness and based on those methods, dish out punishment (cough cough, excuse me, civil administrative measures) to keep society safe.

    5. AvatarRichard

      It’s just crazy.

      And I see what’s happening in the southern states regarding LBGT laws…mark my words, there will be a new registry for transgendered citizens and politicians will sell it as being a way to “keep children safe,” and the uneducated society will just lap it up like a thirsty dog.

    6. AvatarPaul

      Exactly. And it’s been shown that’s why transgendered individuals spend thousands of dollars to change sexes. Just so they can cause mischief in public bathrooms with children. That’s their prime motivation. I have to laugh sometimes when I hear these things. It’s better than crying.

    7. AvatarPaul

      Every state has their form of a Newberger, at least one. Ours is thankfully retiring soon but they’ll been another idiot to soon replace him.

  11. Sandy I’ve got to admit you do pose some interesting articles and topics. Sure I am in agreement that Children need to have safe laws and be protected. I am also in agreement that the posed sex offender needs to be protected also.
    They say two wrongs don’t make a right. There are different classes of people and protecting kids is great and you know as well as anyone that that starts at home.
    Sure schools need to instruct also. Law enforcement can make all kinds of rules but kids are going to be kids.
    Safety is the main factor for everything in life from being safe on the job, being safe in public to listening to one’s parents.. Preteens’ and Adults can be a bit different.
    And sure we all have a responsibility of protecting others in dyer situations, after all buckle up for safety is one. Even go ole Smoky the bear comes in.
    Here’s the main point- When adults grow up and let their hair down a bit and get in situations such as this internet sex sting thing. Who protects them?

    I mean a con is a con and first thing you know your on the sex registry or in prison and a lifetime of registry and you didn’t even really offend any kid, and those police that suppose to protect and serve weren’t protecting you on that adult chat site.

    Who’s pulling the wool over who with this safety stuff. Is safety when that drink driver plows down the road and slam’s into your car the kids are in the back seat or is it safety to not talk to strangers. Maybe a lot of us adults should learn that and maybe we wouldn’t be on here or be classed as a sex offender.

    Now I’m sure a lot of people on here are of different ages. I’m going into my retirement days myself but makes no difference what age you are safety is a good feature in any society but being over safe is just as bad.

  12. AvatarDad

    The politician in New York who penned Megan’s Law and then a few years later proceeded to add more punnishment to it, IS NOW A CONVICTED FELON HIMSELF. He also dragged his own son into his “scheme” and he has been convicted as well. Thanks for everything Dean Skelos. You swine.

    1. AvatarPaul

      Not hard to confirm at all. You’re right, Skelos was a principal sponsor. God, these hypocrite politicians are like termites. They are everywhere. They gnaw and gnaw until the foundation is gone. Denny Hastert, former speaker of the house, was a huge supporter of the Adam Walsh Act and look at what ended up happening to him. He was exposed. Even Jesus wasn’t afraid to call out a hypocrite.

    2. Avatard

      ….and it’s not that i want more people convicted of sex crimes. It’s just so infuriating, this double standard. Hypocrisy….

  13. AvatarDad

    Please somebody with the wherewithal research getting this off the ground. Brilliantly stated Mike, & thank you!!!! “We have been so isolated and thus have done a very poor job of organizing. There are over 800,000 on the registry and only a small percentage are in state or national organizations. We should in a very determined manner, systematically contact as many RC’s as possible with the goal of increasing memberships in the various state and the national organizations. Not just the RC but their families as well. States with an active state group have done a good job in slowing down the onslaught of new laws. Even if every member contributed as little as $5 or $10 a month it would go a long way toward funding legal challenges but maybe more importantly an orchestrated PR campaign. While we wait, the political machines with goals of currying political favor rumbles on.
    With enough money and a well researched PR campaign, we should attack the registry itself on as many levels as possible. The original Doe decision was reached in large part by the SCOTUS belief that recidivism rates for sex offenses were high and research says that is not true.
    Waiting is just putting one bullet in a gun, spinning the chamber and waiting for the boom. Legislation is just getting worse.”

    1. Avatard

      Yeah Dad. If every S.O. on the registry chipped in as much $ as they could afford this fight would be over tomorrow.

      We are all so isolated from each other. Many S.O.’s have no internet access or are afraid of what might happen if they spoke up. Those of us that can fight just need to be their voice. Eventually justice WILL prevail.

    2. FredFred

      I am not sure what RC means, but if that is another term for RSO I too have been very tempted to direct the movement towards contacting all RSOs and their families in each state for the purpuse of organising large demonstrations. However, this can not be done realistic in that multitude over the internet and my state as well as most other states have statements posted on the registry’s website, warning of persecution if the registry is used to make contact with the people listed. I used to think that was a measure to protect RSOs. However, I now believe it is also a measure to keep us isolated from each other.

      I do not believe we should leave it at that though. I have repeated called for organization among those of us posting here too discuss our options on that very subject. We need to organize now and we need to find a way to do it. We can no longer rely on lawyers to do the fighting for us. We must make our voices heard and come out as one strong movement.

  14. Good, not bad , laws need to protect children. I know everybody on here seems to have their own view’s about protection of children and good and bad laws. I wonder when they start teaching that in elementary schools?
    One would have to think also about these laws. Protecting is good but its being over protecting that is bad.
    To give you an example the sex offender that got caught up in their ordeal. Believe it or not it could have been a sexually offensive e-mail or something of that sort and it could have easily been to another adult.
    Authorities get involved and than someone can’t trust that person anymore and they are labeled as a sex offender.
    So would one call those caught up in a sex sting internet operation a safety law or a prevention law or should it be in a law by itself as a “Prediction law”.
    While I’m all in favor of kids laws the way things are going is that even the law is going a bit overboard on a lot of laws and ordinances.
    Did one ever wonder if one would be better off as living as a thief or a sex offender?
    Now the reason I said thief is someone has stolen something from you and it is the person that was suppose to protect and serve.
    They will say but you had a choice but you see its the principals. Don’t get me wrong I respect the law but when it goes above the commandments than like Paul said you can call them a hypocrite. As far as myself I don’t think I would say that in court.
    Everything we do in live is a learning lesson, there’s good and bad in everything. The word of the lord is the best tool you can use to fight this and than when its all over get on with your life. I know its a struggle right now for all of us but there’s always a silver lining to every dark cloud.

  15. AvatarWhat...

    That article itself promotes more harm than good.
    For god’s sake, the public registry caused people to be murdered, harassed, etc.
    Some people are on the sex offender for life for smaller issues.
    Many other people are compared to rapists because of the label.
    Making laws out of fear and never forgiving causes ONLY harm.

    I saw this part of the article:
    “We don’t agree with the public harming, harassing, assaulting, either verbally or physically. But what about the victim? What about the family of the victims? Is society better served by the public knowing where these predators are living? We thinks so and, as parents, we appreciate these laws.”

    What about the victims on the sex offender registry?
    And what about the constitutional rights of the ‘sex offenders’?
    Caring more of the other is not an excuse to cause harm to people.

    Seriously that article is kinda disgusting.

    1. The comment on here about “And what about the constitutional rights of the sex offender” Now that my friend is a 24 thousand dollar question that people governments seem to overlook..

      Are not all men created equal? Well yes all men are created equal except those in government places. Are all men fair in their rules or thinking or should they just toss away the bible as a basis of what is proper.

      Their was a leader of our country that once said, “You folks haven’t been reading your bible” Yes their have been a lot of leaders.

      Sure we all enjoy safety and safety laws. Adult safety and kids safety is great but when authorities over sway that safety or compound that safety than one has to call someone on all this. Over stepping on that safety is just as bad.

      Don’t get me wrong I’m against a lot of this human shaming and that’s just what you can call this sex registry stuff. Its a devious game and the American public is blinded by this over zealous law.

      The sex registry and these internet sting operations are nothing more than jezebel traps to seduce one into all this type of scheme and the whole public needs to know about this.

  16. AvatarRichard

    When I met with my lawyer I found is odd when she said I should find a quiet part of town and just live a simple life away from the public’s eye. What I find funny is that it’s easy to live life out of the public’s eye when your image, criminal history, home address/work address is not plastered all over the internet. Local and federal legislation have absolutely no idea (nor care) what negative effects the registry has on the registrant and their family. I really think that if we could get the family of the registrants to bond together and show what these ill thought out laws are truly doing, maybe someone will listen.

    1. Avatard

      I’ve thought that if there was something in pop culture- a movie/T.V. show/documentary/play/song, ect.- that showed S.O.’s as regular folks that would do a lot for our cause. Like Will and Grace did for gays.

      There’s that movie on Netflix, “The Hunt”, but that’s about false accusations of child molestation.

      There’s some documentaries out there…but nothing that’s made much of a splash. It would be wonderful if something came along like “Super Size Me” or “Sicko” that dealt with America’s sex crime hysteria.

    2. AvatarRichard

      d, there’s a new movie that was shown at a film festival in NY called “Untouchable.” I hope that it grabs some legs and makes it into mainstream theaters.

    3. AvatarBrandon

      My offense is 14 years old did 8 years in prison I got myself in the union as a boilermaker a year and a half ago thought I finally got my break nope I was wrong ex girlfriend told another boilermaker I was a sex offender guess what I got kicked out now I went from making 75k to 0 no money losing everything I own now I was 18 when this offense happen she was 13 I am 32 now and she is 26 we are really close friends she was the most excited for me when I got in the union I have not told her yet about me getting kicked out the apprenticeship I don’t want to tell her because she is my best friend and I know her she blames any bad that happens to me on herself because I’m on the registry as an svp for life

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