FAC Feedback from SMART Symposium
I participated once again in the SMART symposium. This is an information only presentation intended for law enforcement agencies including the federal Marshall service and local law enforcement agencies around the country to be brought up to date on SORNA.
As I expected the information was presented in a manner which paints this as a necessary policy to protect communities from threats posed by those people required to register.
A few points I’d like to make.
The points presented were consistent to what we’ve been hearing for years.
In fact at the last presentation I attended I had the opportunity to ask and make my concern know about the constant reference to this population as “SEX OFFENDERS” and asked they reform their language when referencing this population of “people required to register”, and I was informed. “you must take that up with the legislature, as this is language in statute, so this is what we will use.”
Now a bit about my experiences and thoughts about this symposium. Although I was not part of the majority in mindset and background or experience with SORNA and spoke openly when the opportunity was presented, at this event, I at no time was treated disrespectfully nor did I feel threatened in any way.
So…that being said, I believe it gives you an idea of who are the gate keepers.
The opening Plenary “An Overview of The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction” Stacie B. Harris presenter – This was nothing outside of the expected reiteration of what we already know. They want to stop the proliferation of ongoing offences of child pornography and child sex trafficking. Which we can all agree is a good thing. (Probably not in agreement with their methodology and assumptions, but…)
It was really at the second plenary: “DNA and Cold Cases” Steven L Armentrout, Ph D., Brian Martin presenters – This is where I realized what the government was doing here and their overall intent in their messaging. It was a very interesting case which was presented, and I found the forensic content fascinating at times and the inside look at the process for catching up with a perpetrator especially on an old case informative. However, it was the way the messaging was presented. It was blatant sensationalism and intended to infuriate and incite an outraged response from the law enforcement in the room. Which it did. Shame on our government for manipulating the law enforcement population charged with monitoring and implementing these policies. I agree the April Tinsley case was awful and bizarre and the individual who kidnapped and murdered this child should be held accountable, painting a picture to insinuate this is anything but an exception to those who are on the registry and that it is anything but an exceptional case by a very sick individual, is irresponsible.
After being at the conference for 2 days I will tell you, I interacted with both presenters and attendees, I had the opportunity to converse with several folks and although not all discussions were of total agreement, I believe for the most part it was respectful. I’m not sure I changed any minds of those in attendance, but at least we agreed there is room for improvement and the only way we will get that is by legislative reform at the state and federal level. Everyone there has a basic position of, “I’m just doing my job”.
In some specific discussions I had with guests who stopped me to ask about my SORNA Button (a simple button I wore with the word SORNA and a red circle with a line through it, denoted not supportive) I was able to educate, share my thoughts and my business card. I saw that as a good opportunity.
I had opportunity to ask questions at other presentations and share what I know to be facts, based on research and clarify some of what they were saying. I cannot say what they presented was misinformation, but what I can say is the presentation of some of the way it was presented was from a skewed perspective.
One of the presentations I attended clearly talked about the Child Pornography offenders and the risk tools being used and the bottom line was that those who are in the possession only category are more likely to be low risk to reoffend and unlikely to have a contact offense. This is supported by research as well as compared to other categories of offenders, (drug offenders, property theft, etc..) the overall recidivism rate of the “Sex Offender” population is low by comparison, but the mind set is, one is too many, when is comes to this category of offender. What was reinforced to me was this is all based more on moral outrage than anything else.
Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to represent Florida Action Committee and to be your voice.
Gail Colletta
President Florida Action Committee
Discover more from Florida Action Committee (FAC)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thank you, Gail, for all that you do for us. I do not think that anyone could ever “fill your shoes”.
Gail, thank you so much for attending this conference! Hopefully, in the next couple of years, NARSOL/ACSOL, or even FAC could be a presenter to give these folks who are “just doing their job,” an idea of how these policies destroy families and ruin the lives of “our” children as well.
I question the efficacy of self-reported “offenses” being at 55% in the CP presentation. Anyone who has successfully completed “Sex Offender” therapy knows you have to make up victims and “crimes” in order to appease your counselor so you can graduate. Those who don’t do this are told they are lying and can languish in therapy for five or more years, thus extending their probation in some cases. Here is the long-winded “Assessing and Managing the Risk Posed by Persons Under Supervision Convicted of Possession of Child Exploitation Materials” presentation:
https://ncjtc-static.fvtc.edu/resources/RS00009395.pdf
Got hit with an interstate transmission of cp : yet not a viewing nor possesion. I was a lan admin it happened under my watch but no posesseion nor viewing. Therapy tried to get me in trouble but feds told them i didnt have possesion nor access to it. I understand the system now because of that.
22 years nonissues not on the public registry and then i try to flip
Houses in florida and bam. Didnt even know and im on some odd list for life. Prosecutors helped me soni can get through it without any issues and i did very well. Passed bg checks etc. had great career then i land in florida and boom. Why was it ok for my juristictionnto say move on and give to society. now here in florida pay pay pay payyyyyy for life.i had a career in a huge company and traveled and gave back. I Was a good producer and community member yes i was: philanthropy and community service in many organizations. And now i cant even work just because i came to florida.
Thank you Gail for being our voice. I don’t know how you do it and keep your composure. I would just want to yell out….are you that *%$ stupid! Not for nothing but it only takes a day or two on the internet to learn just what these laws do and how they harm and are of no real use.
I will say I have no doubt that you will have gotten some people to think a little more. A few more might take pause. You won’t know it, but you did. I have no doubt. So thank you.
Thank you, Gail, for doing this assignment for all of us.
Thank you, FAC, for looking out and fighting this war.
We are battling forces that are fascists, just like the Nazis were.
They too based their policies on uninformed and prejudicial opinion and bullied others with “moral outrage”.
They too created government blacklists and encouraged public shunning and banishment.
They too used the excuse that they were only following orders.
Thank you so much, Gail, for your report. I read that what we all suspected is what is going on…facts be damned. I noticed they used the term ‘Just doing my job’. Being a student of WW II, I do believe I read of similar excuses being used by Nazi war criminals…”Just following orders’. I guess with such an excuse, one can justify not rankling any feathers or trying to inject justice that is so lacking in the system…and go home feeling they have earned their pay. What if our Founding Fathers had taken the same approach? I would love to attend the next conference. By the way, where did you get the SORNA button? That is a must have. God bless you in your work and dedication.
“However, it was the way the messaging was presented. It was blatant sensationalism and intended to infuriate and incite an outraged response from the law enforcement in the room. Which it did. Shame on our government for manipulating the law enforcement population charged with monitoring and implementing these policies.”
It’s called grooming. The pendulum swings both ways. We don’t have exclusivity in that now, do we? Seems the government has a very large propensity for grooming.
True.