Let’s set the record straight — uninformed, unwarranted criticism
By Sandy . . . Occasionally NARSOL will come across criticisms of our organization, its leadership, our work, and how it is done. These usually appear on one social media platform or another. Interested in all points of view and willing to hear constructive criticism, we have listened and have summarized what appear to be the major areas of contention and our response to each.
The board is lacking in female representation.
Yes, it is; there are two of us. Whenever board seats open, NARSOL appeals for anyone interested to contact us and begin the application process. Female applicants have been rarer than the proverbial hens’ teeth. We will continue. No one will be seated on the board simply because she is female, but we would definitely be interested in a female applicant who brought some of the skills and experiences on our “needed” list to the board.
In the organization and on the board, victim representation and viewpoints are missing or minimal.
This misrepresentation requires a two-part response. First, no one can know who among us was or was not a former victim of sexual abuse, but at the board level, it was multiple, not singular. Among our state-level advocates, there are a significant number who are past victims. Moreover, if those who have suffered collateral damage are counted, 100 percent of us would not be overstating the case. However, this is not something we choose to dwell on. It is not something we write about. We made the choice long ago not to be permanent victims. Continuing to think of ourselves as victims allows our abusers to continue having power over us, and we refuse to grant them that. We do not believe they should be treated as forever-perpetrators; this is the other side of the coin.
Some of us who are former victims are in this advocacy because we know first-hand that an overly-punitive system and the registry system that interferes with rehabilitation have nothing in them that bring us healing or work toward preventing future victims. We healed because we chose to—and some with the help of spiritual faith–despite a system that would keep us victims. The proven programs designed to significantly reduce future victims go begging for the tiniest fraction of government support.
Secondly, NARSOL’s mission statement does not establish a victims’ advocacy; victims have many advocates, starting with the court system. We are an advocate for the other side of the equation, the side that is in desperate need of advocacy. We are advocates for the system as it was initially designed, a system that extracted accountability from the legally-proven guilty, imposed a commensurate degree of punishment, and then expected a return to society with lesson learned. We advocate against distortions of that system, distortions that result in a type of forever punishment and make a mockery of rehabilitation by closing so many doors to it. We advocate for rational sexual offense laws.
We minimalize responsibility and accountability
This characterization is simply not accurate. As stated, NARSOL firmly believes in a fair system that appropriately punishes those who commit crimes; the more egregious the crime, the more thorough the punishment will be, but it must be punishment that is constitutional, in keeping with empirical data, and proportionate to the offense. Longer sentences do not aid in rehabilitation but undermine it. In almost all cases, constitutional punishment comes to an end. It does not continue for 15 or 25 years or even a lifetime after completed sentences end by marking the former transgressor as someone unfit for society.
NARSOL’S advocacy minimalizes rehabilitation
This misconception has already been addressed; it is categorically untrue. Our advocacy is for a system that fosters, allows, and encourages rehabilitation. We frequently reference the low reoffense rate of those who have previous sexual crime convictions; a low offense rate is the result of rehabilitation. Why would we not encourage it? Two sub-points must be made here: 1) Many of this population are self-rehabilitated despite a system that, at best, does little to nothing to aid rehabilitation and, at worst, hinders it mightily. 2) Some on the registry are truly innocent; they were wrongly prosecuted or maliciously and wrongly accused. There is no way of knowing how many; this is an extremely easy accusation. False accusations are effortlessly weaponized by partners wanting the upper hand in divorce or child custody situations. What rehabilitation do these innocent people need?
A last note about rehabilitation for registrants is taken from Joshua Hoe and a post on Twitter (X). He wrote, “Our best chance at public safety is someone returning from incarceration invested in the body politic, with pro-social dreams of contributing to their community . . . foreclosing this is a terrible reintegration strategy.”
If the criticism is primarily, “They don’t serve their full sentence anyway, so it’s only right that they keep on being punished when they are out in the community,” I’m sorry. There isn’t a piece of data anywhere that supports that line of thinking.
NARSOL welcomes and is responsive to constructive criticism. Please keep it coming. We cannot and will not do everything that everyone wants us to do, but if it helps us improve our effectiveness in advocating for fact-driven, data-driven, rehabilitative, and rational sexual offense laws—bring it on.
What are the S. O. rules in AZ??
DENEEN BERRY
deneenk@aol.com
This cannot be answered in a paraagraph or even a few paragraphs; the answer is dependent on so many factors. This is the best I can do, the page for Arizona in our state wiki. https://statewiki.narsol.org/doku.php?id=arizona
Also, much can be found out with internet searches, and these links are given on the wiki page: https://www.azdps.gov/services/public/offender
https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/I00-030.pdf
Excellent article sandy. Nice 1-2 punch for those who see very little.
In my treatment program, 30 some odd years ago, we were told we only need 3 things to survive.
1. Food 2. Clothing. 3.shelter. the registry make achieving even the basics a difficult task. Can’t eat if you can’t work. Can’t buy decent clothes if you can’t work. As for shelter, same, but only in places societal folks want us to shelter in.
I commend NARSOL and all it does. Although i sometimes wonder if the wall against us will ever crack.
I believe our only hope is to cling to the Constitution and continue to work at more effective ways to prove “cruel and unusual” as it applies to modern, digital applications which the government will continue to use as more technology becomes available. Applying a label virtually is as damaging to a person’s life if not more so than a physically attached label. Yet, we still have too many jurists whose lack of technical prowess prevents them from understanding this important concept. We still have too many judges who can barely operate a smart phone, will never be on Facebook and who look to law clerks to deal with anything technical. These are the same judges who still in 2024 continue to declare the registry as non-punitive.
How is this possible? If our judges are corrupt then we should all go home. If they aren’t, then we simply must keep working our legal minds in overcoming this important barrier in getting judges to learn how to interpret cases in our digital age.
Well said indeed. One of the best yet. I’ll link it if I ever see NARSOL criticized.
Very well said sandy. Thank you for putting things in the proper perspective. Stating the obvious that there are a thousand victims advocacy groups to one who advocates for the accused and convicted, should really not even need to be done
I’ve always believed that the only place where being a victim is truly beneficial is at the Soup Kitchen after a major hurricane. Free food for all hurricane victims! I also remember that for a time, when I first joined, I also tended to be critical of things and freely made my criticisms known. One day someone left a comment for me that said, “if you know of such better ways to do things, no one will stop you from forming your own organization and leading it the way you want to – we need all the help we can get!” Since, then I’ve learned to listen more, talk less and understand that people are working hard and doing the best they know to do; letting criticism turn into gratitude.
It’s good to know that there are other survivors of sexual abuse advocating for rational sex offense laws. The registry does nothing for us, but perpetuates fear and breeds paranoia. If there’s gonna be a database of SO’s, they should just make one for all criminals so we know where the murderers are too
Sandy. Your article opened my eyes about the board makeup. Because of our society I have believed that NARSOL tilts at windmills. But this recent communication gives me hope that NARSOL will have impact.
I am a former registrant from PA. I was freed from “service” by our progressive Supreme Court.
Many others must wait for that to happen.
I have greater confidence that it will.
Three things to know about me before you read my comment: I was convicted of a sex offense at 21, that offense was 21 years ago, and I am a woman. I still have registration requirements because I have been homeless more adult years than not, and this contributes to my 5 failure to register convictions. While it’s known most homeless prevention programs already deny s.o.’s, there’s even less options for females. I thought maybe it was a subject you might look in to and share your view point. Thank you for sharing knowledge!
First, thank you Sandy for all you do. NARSOL is going to be attacked because they are advocating for good, unfortunately that is expected. People who strongly disagree, their minds are never going to be changed. You can only with those who are open enough to listen.
The infliction of the maximum amount of flesh for sex offenders is all some live for. Of course if anyone advocates for less than the maximum sentence that they are going to be ridiculed. Part of the problem is passing laws AFTER a person’s and then making it apply to everyone.
I hope you are able to find more people for the board that will help achieve the goals of the organization. Until then we know everyone in the organization is working hard to advocate for us and we appreciate it.
Thanks,
FO
Have I told you the joke about the Sheriff notifying the public to the QRcode available for the County’s sex offenders registry.
Sorry, it’s not a joke at all. Holy commoditization Batman!