Computer Crime Discussion Board

[Amber Leaf]

Florida is creating so much hysteria over the deaths of two precious angels it is ludicrous. What society, the media, the legislature and Governor Bush need to remember is that the TWO persons who allegedly murdered these two children are not every sex offender in the Nation. The U.S. Dept. of Justice released a report in November 2003 stating the recidivism rate is 5.3% for sex offenders. http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/rsorp94.htm This rate is lower than any other crime.

If Megans Law were to be taken back to its original intent, which is to track Violent Sexual Predators, the registries would be more manageable for law enforcement. If we were to take all of the non violent former offenders off the registries, which are convictions for public urination, exhibitionism, nudism, streaking, flashing, mooning, consensual sex, internet child porn and one time non violent offenders generally of a familial nature, we would see that this hysteria is unfounded. Due to the high numbers of persons on the registry our Government is giving its citizens a false sense of security with all of the "feel good" get me more votes, legislation.

It is a parents major job to supervise their children. This should be considered each parents most important job. If parents would supervise their children on a constant basis we would see much less crime against children by strangers.

The Center for Sex Offender Managament http://www.csom.org/pubs/mythsfacts.html states that 80% of girls and 60% of boys are offended by a person known to them. This is not stranger danger. The reason society thinks their children are at such a high risk is that the only media interest is in the high profile cases. Little Jessica was abducted in February, the news is still broadcasting this and the other two recent cases constantly. This makes it appear to parents that their children are at risk by a stranger and a convicted sex offender. While these murders were definitely horrid it is time to let these children rest in peace.

The Bill of Rights guarantees all U.S. citizens life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Former Sex Offenders and their families do not have these rights. They are denied any civil rights in this nation. Former sex offenders are denied due process and protection from ex post facto laws. These are Constitutional amendments that are supposed to be followed by our Government. Our officials are getting by with this by saying these laws are not punitive. Trust me when I say these laws are definitely punitive. States are punishing former sex offenders with registration requirements from ten years to life. There are churches that banish former sex offenders. We all know God is a loving and forgiving God. Will this Nation ever follow the Christian concept of love and forgiveness for all?
_________________
Mrs. Betty Price
S.O.S.E.N. Representative
Sex Offender Support and Education Network
http://www.sosen.org
ROAR 4 FREEDOM = Registered Offenders Against Reprisal for freedom
http://www.geocities.com/roar4freedom

[glossydog]

[r_nite1]

Did it ever occur to anyone that these laws might put kids in more danger?
How you might ask?
Creating a false since of security. Most sex offenses are committed by someone they know. The "stranger" offenders usually do not attack near their homes. The recidivism rate, according to the justice department, is much lower for sex offenders than any other crime. As low as 5.3%. Yes I know the media reports much higher rates. This figure comes straight from the Justice Department. As a matter of fact the Justice Department says it is more likely that someone convicted of a non-sex-related crime is more likely to commit a sex offense than a sex offender. Yes it is true, look for yourself if you do not believe me. http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/rsorp94.htm
Another thing to consider is risk of the offender. Most non violent offenders are eventually reunited with their families, yes sex offenders have families too. Many have children. Is it fair for these children to not be allowed to live near a park or their school?
Most if not all offenders are required to be given a psychological assessment to try and determine their risk to re-offend. These laws, if enacted, should only apply to high risk. To apply them to low risk offenders who have successfully reunited with their families only punishes those innocent family members for a crime they might have been the victim of.
These laws will also cause more victims not to report the crime. Most victims are family members or friends. There are already too many victims who do not report the crime. Most child victims are only further victimized by laws that force hardships on their families.
Remember something else that the media refuses to report accurately. Today’s sex offenders were yesterday's victims. Some studies suggest that 80% of offenders were child victims who many not have received proper treatment. So go right ahead and pass laws that make victims think twice about reporting and you are creating tomorrow’s offenders.
I speak as a victim who regrets the offender was ever reported. And this was 25 years ago. My family was more 'victimized' by the 'justice system' and 'Child Protective Services' than we were by the offender. There is no way I would report today knowing that in addition I would be 'victimized' by society.
Do you really want to protect children? Or are you content with making it ‘look’ like you are protecting children?

[Amber Leaf]

Glossydog,
I was molested as a child on two seperate occassions. But, I refuse to become a victim as you have. God gave me the heart and the insight to forgive. It is hard to do, but it is possible. Also, I was molested by two people, I was not molested by the 550,000 registered former sex offenders.

These people that you are assuming have done something horrible and that is the only reason they are on the registries is a falicy. There are many on the registries for public urination, persons who were lied to about the "victims" age, consensual teen sex, streaking, mooning and the many wrongful convictions due to vindictiveness. You could be in the same situation one day. Many in society will be in the same situation one day.

I will pray that God will place upon your heart the desire to forgive.
_________________
Mrs. Betty Price
S.O.S.E.N. Representative
Sex Offender Support and Education Network
http://www.sosen.org
ROAR 4 FREEDOM = Registered Offenders Against Reprisal for freedom
http://www.geocities.com/roar4freedom

[llista]

Making the sex offenders public is more damaging than helpful, that is what a recent UK study found, they were considering making the UK sex offenders public too but after studying the US experiences it was decided against it and only the police has access to the register.

They said that making it public will drop the rate of offenders who register and increase the re-offending.