Slate: Fear in the Heartland
Today, nearly 1 million people are listed on sex offense registries in the U.S., even though many experts consider such registries not only ineffective but ultimately counterproductive. Those previously convicted of sex offenses have relatively low rates of reoffending, and some studies show that the registration and community notification regime “eliminates the possible deterrent effect of having to register for committing a sex crime”—in other words, once you’re registered, you’ve suffered the consequences, and any such deterrent effect is gone. Individuals listed on sex offense registries are also subject to a form of civil death—unable to secure housing or gainful employment, unable to participate in the political process, and unable to find redemption or basic human dignity.
Ironically, children and adolescents—the very people that registries and other tools purport to protect—have been inordinately harmed by these measures: According to the Juvenile Law Center, some 200,000 individuals are listed on sex offense registries for offenses they committed as minors.
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So the 2 boys from Iowa disappeared without a trace. There was presumably no evidence of any sexually related offense that occurred with their disappearance. I think imagination can run wild when you lose a child and it is very easy to imagine that your child may have experienced the most horrible torture. However, when these vulnerable parents are put on display it is important for the public, news outlets and media to temper the unknown and outlandish fears with the facts and data. It is far better for the victims families to actually channel their energy for purposeful change and identity than to have them manipulated by the law enforcement and political machinery pushing for more laws and politics. It is actually horribly sad to see these families revictimized and used to push an agenda. We know this is what happened with Mrs Wetterling. She didn’t understand what she was being pulled into with her initial advocacy work until it was too late. This is why I believe in restorative justice that forces both sides to see the human in each other before grandstanding against the other side.
Fear! What’s their to fear. Wait a second yes their is something to fear, fear of losing ones livelyhood, fear of being homeless, fear of rejection when the general public know’s one’s business. Guess one would call that being a busibody. Fear of not getting employment or even fear of self-worth. Fear of even going to Prison.
Yes fear of what man can do to another. But remember the police are just doing their job so to speak. It all comes out in the wash with those millions of people on the registry, but its standing up to that fear that is more satisfying and charging ahead in many of these heartland ordeals of this registry. Presenting evil for evil is not the general norm for anyone in this antagonizing way.
I’m thinking that a lot of this registry crap is money-based.
Surely not! That would be insanely immoral. The opposite of “protecting children”.
Pretty disheartening that the majority of comments are essentially a race debate.
Excellent article! 5 stars*****
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