Quote From: psalms100 I think before people start judging others they should be more informed to know exactly what they are talking about. A sex offender is a human being whether you want to accept that fact or not. And "sex offenders" is not even the right term to use because many of them have only offended once and yet they are called sex offenders as though they will always offend. And as far as labeling people, why don't they have labels for drug addicts, drunk drivers, and other felons who can harm our children? Why do we squirm at the word sex offender? We squirm because we hear all the "bad news" about those few who are sick and who would offend again and again. So does that mean we should treat them all the same? I don't think so. I think the law is so unjust when it comes to so called "sex offenders." It is bad enough that they can't find anyplace to live, and that they have to register, but for the police to send out fliers to the community is not only wrong, but it puts the person and their families in danger. How many people have been harassed or killed because they find out a "sex offender" has moved near them? Maybe you don't even care and think it serves them right. But you do not even know them or the story behind their arrest in the first place.
I have children and grandchildren and my heart goes out to those who have gone through some horrible experience because of a sex offender. But they are not all the same. And many are never given a second chance. They have to die with that label. And no matter what their story is- behind all the hysteria- some have been punished more than anyone should ever be punished. Some have never seen their grandchildren because the law prohibits any contact whatsoever with children and this is for all sex offenders, whether they are pedophiles, whether they offended once, whether it was a 19 year old that was turned in by a 17 year's old mom, or whether they were drunk and urinating and someone saw them and turned them in. There are way too many reasons why people are labeled sex offenders and to treat them all the same is totally unjustifiable.
And do you really feel comfortable knowing where they all live? Can't this give people a false sense of security? Sex offenders of all sorts are walking around every day. They may be someone in line in front of you at the bank. They could be someone you had a nice chat with at the grocery store yesterday. They could be someone cleaning your carpets.They could be anyone you come in contact with on a daily basis. So what now? Do we register where they work or what they do for a living? Wake up, people! We have normal everyday people who can have a clean record and all of a sudden may wind up killing, raping, or molesting someone. What parents and the community needs to do is take care of their children and do the best they can to keep them away from all danger. We will never have a perfect world. We are all sinners. That is how it will always be. We cannot go on picking on one class of felons and make them our main focus. I wish the world was safer for our children, but it is not. We will always have drunk drivers, killers, rapist, burglars, drug dealers, and all kinds of law breakers no matter what we do. I just wish people knew more about sex offenders before they classified all of them as being evil or being sociopaths. I feel sorry for those who can't see what they are doing as being totally wrong. And I feel sorry for those who are so ready to cast the first stone. I sure wish Dr. Phil would have talked to me for this show.
When a parent or community member is made aware that there is a sex offender in their area, yes most likely thier first reaction is going to be that it is a individual that rapes children. the reason being is that children are more likley to be targets of honredous sex crimes simply due to that fact that they are children.
Most individuals have an inate empathy and need to protect children, and therefore when they hear sex offender they are going to first look to the saftey of the children, and this may lead to the assumption that the sex offender is a predator that preys on children.,
Unfortunaly hearing the bad new's about those "few" that are sick, is inacurate, individuals that prey on the young are numerous in number, and second chances are a mute point, simply because it is simply giving them the opportunity to torture, mutilate and irevocably destroy a childs mind, body and soul.
what is the difference between dying with the label "Sex offender" or the label "victim"?
Both are making a statement and both are tragic and sad, however, both are realities.
I do not think people are generating "Hysteria" they simply have a genuine and legitimate concern with how sex offenders are wreaking devastation and pain, and it has taken so long to get accountability from the offenders and recognition and atonment for the victims.. we have a long way to go, in that regard.
I do not think that if a parent of someone that is concerned with the welfare and saftey of children is going to have a false sense of security if they know there is a sex offender living near them, in fact i think their vigilance would be that much higher...
False sense of security is whistling in the dark pretending or ignoring the dangers, not recognizing it and facing it head on.
I am not sure i follow what your reasoning is by saying normal every day people can wind up killing, raping or molesting some one... it is not how some one behaves one day that is going to determine how they are treated for the rest of their lives, it is how they conduct themselves every day that will determine how they are treated each day. I may respect and look up to someone that has done much good, however if they raped or molested or murdered someone hwo could one ask me to continue to respect that person? I don't understand what you are trying to say.
Saying we all sin is interesting in this context, I think what you are saying is it is our nature to comite horendeous abuses towards childkind, womankind, Mankind? I am sorry i do not agree with this, God writ the commandments on the fleshy tablets of our mind, meaning he gave us a concience, I can not see how one could reconcile their concience with the horendeous crime of rape and molestation.
commiting crimes of this nature has nothing to do with sin at all, it has to do with choice. the choice to blatantly and willingly destroy another human being for the selfish satisfaction of self.
That is not a sin, that is a blatant disregard for human life, sin is forgivable, however there are some actions that are not forgivable.
Cain was marked for life for the destruction of his brothers life, just like Cain sex offendors are marked for life, Cain was not forgiven he was simply given the opportunity to spend the rest of his life in atonment for what he had done, for all the world to see.
I think people are waking up, and some people are wishing they would go back to sleep ... simply becasue they are having a difficult time reconcilling themselves to the fact that some people refuse to sugar coat or be sympathetic to individuals that do so much harm and cause so much pain.
Do i think that sex offenders should be clear about what kind of sex offendor they are yes I do.. however, i think the reason they are not clear about whether they are a rapist, child molestor, or some one who hired a adult prostitue or took a pee on the corner, is to try to protect these sex offendors from vigilatiaism.
So I guess by advocating for clarity about types of sex offendors, you are in a round about way putting them in more jepordy, nto regersting them is not going to happen, the police and governments can not keep track of all the offendors, so they have made it so people can have the information and tools to take percautions for them selves.
highly emotionaly charged topic, so glad it was shared, it is good to see people talking about this issue, and sharing their opinions and beliefs, These were a few of mine, that although differing somewhat in yours, it was your post that got me really thining about this, and for that I thank you .
Tammy
Don’t miss Dr. Phil’s exclusive interview with Brianna Denison's mother who is speaking out for the first time since her daughter's body was found. Nineteen-year-old Brianna made headlines when she was kidnapped while she slept on a friend's couch. Brianna's killer – an alleged serial rapist -- is still on the loose in Reno, NV. And, a controversial issue is heating up the headlines: Where should registered sex offenders live when they’re released from prison? Residents of Long Beach, California say not in their neighborhood. They’re outraged that an apartment building is allegedly housing 13 registered sex offenders, and the building owner is reportedly receiving $1,000 per month to house them. Former tenants, James and Getania, were disgusted to learn that the sex offenders were living in their building, and local residents weren’t happy either. Dawna owns several properties near the apartment complex. She says she’s losing tenants and the sex offenders are stalking others. Then, Jake Goldenflame, a registered sex offender who was convicted of molesting his daughter and young boys over 25 years ago, says he's still attracted to teenage boys, but says people like him have no resources and need to live somewhere. What does Dr. Phil think? Should the sex offenders be forced to leave the community, or should their neighbors just learn to live with them? If it's happening now, Dr. Phil is going to deal with it now! Join the discussion.
