Justice for all?

Great Debates
1

Here in the UK, a national newspaper yesterday published the names of many sex offenders (mostly child abusers). In today’s paper - a different one, btw - it was reported that a mob of some 300 people surrounded what they believed to be the house of one of these offenders… but got it wrong and terrorised an innocent family, one of whom merely looked like one of the men on the list.

This sparked a debate at work: how do you punish sex offenders and child abusers? Is it necessary to inform the public when one of these people moves into their area? Should they be treated the same as say, burglars - once they’ve paid their debt to society, should the matter be forgotten? Or should they be constantly monitored? Opinions among my colleagues ran between “let them live their live once they’ve been punished” to “bring back the death penalty”. It would be interesting to see what the Dopers think…

2

I think life in prison for severe cases, and certainly for repeat offenders, is entirely reasonable. Once they’re released form prison, however, justice is not served by making them untouchables. Ultimately, posting the names doesn’t save anybody since sex offenders are probably not attacking their neighbors, who are the only one’s with reason to be more cautious around him.

3

‘Megan’s Law’ requires that communities be made aware that a convicted sex-offender is coming into their midst. I can only assume the rationale is that child molestors never rehabilitate themselves, they simply law low till they find a new victim. I don’t know how true that is. But the purpose, as stated, is to warn potential victims, not punish the offender.

4

since I work with offenders in the community. The basis for most of it is that: at the point that they’re back out in the community, to argue the point about if they SHOULD have been released, is moot.
I have seen “good” citizens burn down the home of a convicted child molester so he could not return to their community. I don’t think anyone seriously advocates criminal behavior on the part of the rest of us (like this and the case cited above). but it happens.

In the aftermath of Megan’s law, a review of my state’s record on the subject gives poor marks - the sex offender site that is available over the net has so many inaccuracies that it makes it virtually useless.

More so, the term “Sex offender” can run a whole gamut of actions, all illegal but certainly with a wide variety of potential risk to the community. In my state, a person under the age of 16 cannot legally give consent for ANY sexual contact. they make no differentiation for the age of the other party, so the kid with a 15 and a half year old partner can get prosecuted and found guilty and must forever register as a child molester. Ok if the person’s 30, but what if they’re 16??? I have a problem with that (I understand that we might not want under 16 to be engaged in any activity, but really, to criminialize heavy petting 'tween teens is not really the answer in my book)

Anyhow, I’ve worked with many sex offenders. I always attempt to have go to work in places that are relatively safe for them - ie no grocery stores, fast foods, family restaurants, convenience/toy stores. Factories I like them in factories, working lots of overtime. See, it isn’t up to me anymore IF they’re out, I want them busy as much as possible…

the other thing that I fear is that laws like the public notification acts can lull people into a false sense of security. “we know that guy is a sex offender”. yea, it may be that you can tell your child “stay away from Joe, he’s a bad guy” and you’ll feel like you’re protecting your child, but kids don’t think how we do. you say “that guy is bad” and they hear “every one else is ok” you’re far better off letting your child know boundaries where people shouldn’t muck with them, enforce “you don’t go ANYWHERE unless I know where you are”, and “above all else, tell me”

most pedophiles are well versed in the art of seducing children and rarely start off with a grab and grope act. Many are trusted family members, friends and the like, so all the admonitions about strangers won’t protect your kid.

I’d rather focus on protecting the kids directly through these other means, and to have longer (potentially lifelong) supervision post release. I HAVE seen some successfully rehabilitate. And others that continue to creep me out and make my flesh crawl just to know that they’re out.

My ex-brother in law (legally, though not adjudicated a molester - his girl friend was pregnant by him when he was 30+ and she was 14), is now up in arms because the child’s step grandpa molested her. I’m angered that the child was harmed too, but not at all surprised that grandma thinks that it’s all out of proportion - after all she apparently didn’t care that her child was molested, either.

keep in mind I am NOT advocating releases for molesters etc. Just that once they’re out, lets figure out the best case scenario. Like I said, I want them busy as many hours of the week as possible…

5

We have registration in the state of VA. But I’ve never seen it “published”. You can go into a website for the state police and pull up the names and locations of what they consider “violent sexual offenders”. I’ve often wondered what this means. I know for a fact that a convicted pedophile in my city was not on this website. He did offend again and is now back in prison. I think registration is imparative. Not so much as to notify the general public, but law enforcement should at least have access to this kind of information. In cases of vigilantism, then they too should be prosecuted accordingly. But don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. These laws are designed to help protect the innocent who often take a back seat to the “rights” of others that commit crimes these crimes.

Needs2know

6

Just thought I’d bump this up.

The newspaper in question has stopped publishing the names and photographs, but is now campaigning for “Sarah’s Law”, in the same vein as “Megan’s Law”.

The crowing of the paper doesn’t quite tally with the evidence, however:

Families flee paedophile protests
Vigilante attack on innocent man
Innocent man branded child abuser
Mob violence at home of ‘paedophile’

Another newspaper reported today of the suicide of one victim of the mobs.

7

I think it depends if the person is sick or normal. If the person is sick you know that they are going to do it again. The “voices in their heads” tell them that they need to do something nasty like that. I think there is no point in telling the whole community that a child abusers are moving into their area, you can try not to be around the person who just got our of prison, but it’s not like he is the only one out there. There are new crimes commited everyday (by new people). Don’t think I am in favor of child abusers. I think it’s sick and sad for the kids. I would never come out of anything like that (if it happened to me).