The Trinidad and Tobago Government says it wants to mark the passports of persons convicted of child sexual offences with the words “child sex offender” as it expressed concern at the alarming rate of sexual offences against children in the country. But independent legislator, Sophia Chote, a senior counsel, has asked the Government to rethink that position, telling the Senate that such a passport stamp could curb the lives of the offenders to the point of breaching their rights, while a public viewing of a list of sex offenders could expose them to public attacks.
How many times must the detriments of the registry be brought to the attention of legislators before it gets through to them? Are they really that dense?
This is what I sent to the editor of the paper Tindad & Tobago paper who had a similar article – [email protected] (could not comment under the article 🙁 without registering which is a fee or fb might be without a fee, but not going there. ) I also sent it to the parliament ([email protected]) as I could not find a direct email to Ms. Chote. Whenever possible I will send emails to articles such as this. We must try when our busy lives allow us a few extra minutes. Those who are willing to speak out and up, like this site, this Senator, should be acknowledged. Even if all you say is Thank you. Please consider doing at least this. I know it is not our country but support is support.
Ms. Chote, Thank you for being the voice of reason. All “sex offenses” are not the same. Not all “offenders” are the same. The stigma that comes from the public branding of person is not a society moving forward, but backwards. Let law enforcement do their jobs without the impediment of spending time going after vigilante justice which can end not only potential loss of life or property to the person/family so stigmatized but then to the vigilante who ends up in jail ruining his life and his families. Have any of the crimes, from sexual contact with a child, to exposing oneself or getting caught up in child pornography because you have PSTD or a 20 year old having consensual sex with a 16 year old been prevented by a public registry? Spend the money on out reach programs, let people know there is help….before they commit the crime. No one wants a child hurt, no one is saying there are not consequences for your actions. I don’t want to live in a world where there isn’t. But there has to be a balanced approach. Purposefully setting out to publicly hate on a group of people, to almost assure they become homeless, that their families and children are harassed and shamed says more about those who promote this than it does about the registrant. Many of who have been victims of assault themselves. So now instead of outreach to break the cycle after they have most likely served prison time, the government tells you, you are forever a worthless person, not redeemable….and the whole world gets permission to do the same.
To the paper I started with this –
I would like to say…. (I would happily post this on your site but I will not post via facebook) Perhaps your paper will consider reaching out to organizations who have facts and statistics and more proven, reasonable approaches on this subject matter.
So did anyone in T&T bother to look at how many tourists offended vs home grown offenders? Since US passports now carry the identifier, the designation by their immigration is redundant and pointless except to join the “us too” movement. Personally I have decided to let my passport expire rather than take the scarlet letter on the new ones. Ignorance can be cured but stupidity is terminal. Best wishes to this lady in her objections and objectives. The world needs more people in power like her.
They should listen to Sophia Chote. The only person there who is level headed.
Of course they want to. Whatever the U.S does then it must be the right thing ? This country like many in the Caribbean keep drinking that kool-aid.