I really would like to know that answer! Politicians say that it's because it is a crime that is more personal and emotionally damaging. How do they come up with that conclusion? So, by their own words, we must register sex offenders who most will never recommit, but allow other felons to roam free to recommit at their leisure. It's OK to murder. Don't worry! The victim's family won't be traumatized by that, but sexually assualt them and oh, my God, the backlash! We are putting so much emphasis on sex offenders that other crimes are being seen as little things in life. Tell that to a family who had someone murdered!
126373
Why indeed?? Actually, the recidivism rate of sex offenders is the second LOWEST in the Nation. Murderers have the lowest recidivism rate. I am not certain what that is attributed to, but there are murderers that are released from prisons. The highest recidivism rates in the Nation are drug abusers and drunk drivers. Your child has a higher chance of being killed, maimed or harmed by a drug dealer, drug abuser, drunk driver, gangs, playground accident, neglect and drowning than they do of being harmed by a rehabilitated former sex offender. \n\nSex offenders can be rehabilitated. Dr Fred Berlin of Johns Hopkins University, is a psychiatrist in this field. He states the recidivism rate is 1/10 of 1% for sex offenders that have completed therapy. \n\nBy the way, I was molested twice as a child. At 6 and at 11. Both times were by persons known to my family. I am 49 now. I am NOT a victim, I am a survivor. Not all child molestations cause people to be victims. Perhaps parents or others put that idea into a childs head, that they are victims forever. I do know that you have to forgive in order to be a survivor and I have done that. I also know that I am thankful things weren't the way they are now. I would be hurt if those two people had to go through what many sex offenders go through today.\n\nI notice some of you are aware of the 19/16 year old problems. We call those Romeo/Juliets. Are you also aware that in some states if two teens are caught having sex and they are both under the age of consent, they will BOTH be convicted of sexual assault against each other? Which makes them both the offender and the victim. They are both also put on the internet registries in some states all juveniles are put on it, in some states they are put on when they turn 18. \n\nAll of you need to learn the facts. This issue is NOT so cut and dried. I have been on Abrams Report, Greta Van Sustern and several local TV stations as well as in newspapers. If any of you heard of the Rally in Palm Bay, FL last year for families of sex offenders, I was the organizer. I know this issue from all angles. I wish everyone would learn and not take the medias and the politicians word for it. The politicians are only trying to get your vote. They know the truth. They just won't tell it.\n\nGod forgives all. He forgives murderers and he forgives sex offenders. Perhaps America could learn from God?
27398
sex offenders should have their balls cut off.. this law is not nearly enough..\n\ntwisted donut.. \n\nno sex offender is a one time person doing a stupid thing.. i suggest you do some research in that particular sexual varience.. \n\n>>>psychology lesson... pedophelia is a mental disorder.. many people can live with it and not actually commit a crime against a child.. once they do.. they are a threat to society.. it sounds harsh.. but if you have the background on the disorder you cant excuse it.. there is no mental illness that has a "cure" ... but people can live with a disorder and still be productive members of society this is what psychologists refer to in the field as "recovery"\n...\nas for laws not stopping them...\n\nthats why i said cut their balls off..\n\nchs is right about it being a feel good law. (somewhat).. but his background in law obviouslly lacks a foundation in the psychology behind this issue..\n\ni say somewhat.. because he fails to mention the proposed mandatory minimum sentences in these new laws which keep these nuts off the streets..(there are a lot of new laws being proposed on this topic every day..) instead he has seemed to take the route of only addressing how these laws are to be used as a deterrent.
409352
Perhaps because if the penalty for rape or other sex offenses becomes too close to that for murder, offenders might see sense in making sure that their victims are unable to ever give evidence against them.\n\nDead men (and women & children) tell no tales......\n\nIf you are the offender, going to be sent to prison for ever (or executed) for the sex offence, you have ZERO reason not to comit murder too. You can only be executed once or serve one lifetime in prison.
179251
Well in case you don't know you can go to your states department of public safety and see all the sex offenders. Usually they have to tell their neighbors when they move in that they are, and usually if the parents are smart they will tell the kids to stay away from there. Many of them get out on parole and have to join the general population, so check it out and make sure your kids or you don't go over to there house.
474023
There are more unconvicted pedophiles walking about and working in the school system unbeknownst to anyone.  Although convicted, rights are still granted to them with strict rules about distance to children, etc.  Each city and state makes those laws, so I would encourage you to seek legislation about the matter depending on where you live.  In my opinion, pedophiles should be inhumanely sent to an island in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a volleyball for a companion.
626909
I may be a bit older but I remember when it was a capital offense and rapists got the death penality... This was as recent as the 1960's.  Then came a bleeding heart, liberal society that coddled these monsters, I personally believe these people cannot be reformed by being incarcerated and like a sick animal must be put down.... for their own good as well as societies in general.\n\nNotice I didn't use the politically correct phrase... sex offenders but used the terminology that describes who and what they really are Rapists.and murders... !
673184
wow...didn't know all that...good info...i agree..it is a type of mental disorder...kinda like over eaters, thieves, drunkards, and so on....people who say it has been around for a long time and say its normal...so has murder is that normal...and if it is so normal...why does is go against natural law...they can't reproduce themselves...how does it exist if it is not a mental condition? so i guess we made the wrong decision...
360539
Male 48\n\nWhen you commit certain crimes, you need to be punished. At a certain point, you have forfeited your right to live in society. Some crimes are bad enough that the perpetrator deseves to lose their life.\n\nThere is no reason to keep such criminals alive. Why should we have to pay for them to stay in jail?
637252
The registries do nothing but provide a false sense of security. They also do nothing but take the civil rights from those who have already paid their debt to society. The rehabilitated former sex offenders have an overall 3.5% reconviction rate. The rate for child molestation is 1.2% of that and the rate for reoffense in an incest situation is less than 1%. \n\nThere is no need for these registries as they have become. The original intent of these registries were to register the Sexually Violent Predators. This information was also ONLY for Law Enforcement use. They have now become nothing but a vigilante registry for death and harrassment. Even the offenders children are harrassed due to the registry. \n\nMany of the Romeo/Juliet situations go on to marry once the offender is out of jail and the younger is 18. We have many of them in our support group. Therefore, their love for each other, was made into a crime. Now they face harrassment, ostracization, vigilante acts and their children suffer the same. \n\n90 to 95% of sex offenses occur by someone known to the child. A relative, close family friend, well known neighbor, teacher, coach, another child, scout leader, minister, etc. If you people would pay attention to the fact that the registries are GROWING you would be able to see this. They sure aren't growing because of reoffenses.\n\nThis is all nothing but knee jerk, get me more votes legislation. Now it is sex offenders, what group will be next?\n\nAlso, your child has a much higher chance of being harmed by a drug dealer/user, drunk driver, gang related incident, drowning, playground accident or struck by lightening than they have of being harmed by a registered rehabilitated sex offender.
11940
Well... yeah, that is so wrong.  Everything you listed there seems pretty bad to me... rape/molest/death.\n\nThis isn't such a simple issue.  Perhaps it is true that some sex offenders should be in prison for life without parole, but whether the state should execute people for any crime is another issue.\n\nIt actually statistically costs more money to keep a person on death row and deal with the appeals process than it does to just keep them in prison for the rest of their natural life.\n\nOn top of that, some registered sex offenders are people who got caught pissing outside when they were drunk.  I don't think they deserve the death penalty.
538541
The penalties for those who prey on children is disgustingly mild. I agree with you 100% that a few years in jail is simply not enough. Those who are victimized face a lifetime of pain as a result of what has happened to them.\n\nBut, castration will not solve the problem. Sexual abuse is about controlling and humiliating the victim and surprisingly has very little to do with sex. \n\nThose who have the potential to commit these crimes will find another way to abuse their victims. Penetration is not the only way to sexually abuse a child. You would be horrified by how creative these monsters can be. And castration will not take away the desire.\n\nThe good news is that some states have started to enact laws to make the punishment of sex offenders more severe. New York state just passed a law that would make the penalty for at least one offense, life in prison (I believe it's 1st degree rape of a child, but I can't be sure). The expansion of the sex offender registry and the establishment of child advocacy centers is also crucial to the fight against these vile individuals.\n\nWe can all do our part by writing to our state politicians to expand resources available to child victims and to make the laws tougher on pedophiles.
358619
You have got to be kidding! The darlings of Corporate crimes get out of prison and get right on with their lives. The rehabilitated former sex offender, who has been through extensive treatment, has his and his families life in danger of vigilante murders. Is denied due process ALL the time. Can't take his children to the park. Can't go for a parent/teacher conference for his/her child. Oh yes, by the way, this goes for the single parents who are rehabilitated former sex offenders. So they can't check on their childs school progress. Attend any function their child may be performing in (which causes most of these children to not get involved in extra curricular activities). So you tell me how those convicted of corporate crimes have it so bad? They still have their money, while the rehabilitated former sex offender (possibly actually innocent) can't use his/her possible college degree and is lucky if he/she can get a job digging ditches. Yes siree, those poor corporate criminals just have it so hard!
638494
Interesting.  We don't register drug offenders, or drunk drivers, and jail times for each are far less, yet each kill and harm far more children than sex offenders. And there are many many more of each.  And yet...where is the press?  SEX of course.\n\nAddicts and alcoholics will be first to tell you they will ALWAYS be alcoholics or addicts.  Professionals who treat sex offenders will tell you that only 15% of offenders will ever reoffend...and that those MOST LIKELY to reoffend are pedophile homosexuals.  Our society, to the laughter and frankly, embarassment of the rest of the world, is OBSESSED with sex.  Sex offenders have become the "Witch Burnings" of our time.
279543
Good point, but first of all, we need to deal with adultery separately to murder and molestation.  The latter two are most definitely crimes, and society regards them as seriously now as it ever has done.  However, adultery is not in the same class, indeed, some, including me, would not call it a crime (I am not saying that makes it right or acceptable, just stating a fact).\n\nI note that you call adultery 'theft', but is it?  Theft usually involves the taking of anothers possession without their permission.  However, in adultery, one is not dealing in possessions, but people, and further more, people with free will - ie: one cannot steal another's partner because that partner's agreement is necessary.  It is not like stealing an object which has no say in the matter, adultery is a conscious and willing act on behalf of both parties involved.  Also, have you ever thought that, in some cases, adultery may be what keeps a marriage together?  Consider the younger wife of a much older husband - he has lost interest in the physical side of things and his wife is extremely frustrated.  It starts to cause problems in other aspects of their relationship, as she blames him for her frustration, and he feels guilty about it.  So, she takes a secret lover, her physical needs are satisfied, she no longer holds her husband responsible for her frustrations, and he thinking she is content with the way things are no longer feels guilty.  They still love each other in other ways.  Of course, the danger is in the secret lover becoming more important than the husband.  Just a thought.  \n\nOne also needs to consider motive.  Too complex an area to discuss here I feel.\n\nOverall though I do feel that as far as proper crimes are concerned, in the UK, we are not tough enough on criminals, and for a long time  the human rights of criminals have been considered at the expense of those of their victims.  Only recently have our politicians woken up to this fact, something society has been aware of, and complaining about for years!  How on earth people so out of touch with society can presume to govern us is beyond me!  But that is another topic entirely.
302624
Good for you! Thank you for not signing that petition. Yes, there are many rehabilitated former sex offenders. The recidivism rate of sex offenders is the lowest for all crimes, with the exception of murder. A child has a higher chance of being harmed by a drug dealer/user, drunk driver, playground accident, drowning and parental neglect than they do by a rehabilitated former sex offender. \n\nAll parents need to realize that their children are a gift from God. They are to be vigilant in supervising them and teaching them. If you teach your children good touch/bad touch and what to do if a bad touch happens, make them aware of people around them and don't take your eyes off them they will be fine. I have raised three children and I am not raising two grandchildren. I do not utilize the registry. There is no need for me to as they are always under my watchful eye. \n\nGet to know your neighbor. Discuss his offense with him. It may be that it was a Romeo/Juiliet case or any other number of things. \n\nGod forgives all our sins. We need to learn to walk in the light of God. God forgives all sins, including sex offenses.
75221
I'm not going to get ten points for this answer, but I agree with you 100%. The person who is murdered doesn't have to live the rest of their lives with the memory of being raped, or molested like a child would. Granted the family of the person murdered would suffer greatly, but then so would the family of a little girl who was molested. Some murders happen in a fit of rage, but molestors know fully what they are going to do in advance. Its a tough call, but I have to child molestors are the bottom of the barrel.
641953
I think that they definately should get the life term.  And I think that they should be made eunichs in extreme cases involving children. (In the event that it isn't a case of an 18 yo with a 16 yo statutory rape case).  Real offenders should not be given a chance to repeat it either on the streets or behind bars.  I'm stunned that so many actually walk the streets to do it again, yet other criminals with lesser crimes get more time.