Must families of Reformed Sex Offenders that are abiding citizens, live in fear of murder by vigilantes?
345280
They should not have to live that way. It is definitely not right. Rehabilitated former sex offenders deserve, along with their families, the rights all Americans deserve. The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, once they have paid their debt to society. \n\nTo prevent these murders from happening the United States needs to get back to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights! They need to take down all the Registries. The original intent of these registeries were for LAW ENFORCEMENT and only for the Violent Sexual Predators. That is how it should be!\n\nAmerica wake up! You will be next. Your Civil Rights are eroding daily with the Patriot Act and similar laws. Eventually you will see, but by then, it will be too late.
246514
The sex offender registry is basically a combination of McCarthyism blacklisting and the Scarlet Letter. \n\nEvery American is granted Due Process of the Law by the Constitution. This means they cannot be punished until proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt in a court of law. \n\nThe sex offender registry is a list of people that "might" be a threat and "might" commit another crime. They are being punished for a crime they have NOT even committed yet. \n\nThe only way for this to be Constitutional is if they courts could PROVE beyond the shadow of a doubt that this person is going to offend again. But unless the judge is a psychic... \n\nThey also require sex offenders to live a certain distance from a school. This gives the public a false sense of security. If a pedophile is psychotic enough and has the sexual urge to kidnap and molest a child, the distance rule is not going to stop him. That is like a bank robber worrying about getting a speeding ticket in his getaway car. \n\nOver 90% sex offenses on children happen with someone they already know and have access to.
370136
If they don't update their address it's not much use but it's something at least. If their crime is proven and if they're allowed to live, they could just brand it on their forehead: "CHILD MOLESTOR, RAPIST" etc...
713195
There are registered offenders, whom you know to look out for.  Then there are those who haven't been caught.  \n\nThe world is an imperfect place. As a parent, teach your children all you can.  Arm them with knowledge so you know they'll be safe even when you're not around. \n\n.
546520
Think of people that work IN prisons, in the armed forces, security, in law enforcement, etc. I'm less worried about people who are known to have killed than I am about the serial murderers who are still uncaught....you know, the quiet ones who are "the people next door"\n\nOK, I watch a LOT of Law & Order and CSI!
311627
The problem is that many people think that there's nothing that can solve this problem than the blood of the offenders. Shoot them, hang them, lock them up, ostracize them, castrate them, and so on: these are very popular for politicians to get votes, for TV stations to enhance ratings, and for "holier than thou" individuals to get attention or to sound tough. \n\nWhile familial abuse is disgusting and destructive to the victim and the family, it indeed works out best if the family is treated and healed rather than be further victimized by Mr. Vengeance. In fact I know of a familial offender in whose case some members of the community are doing all they can to separate the offender from his family, while the family (including the victim) is doing everything they can to heal. That is to say, these good people - the self-appointed helpers are working against the will and desires of the very victim and her family that they think they owe some help (as long as the help is in their own way - as they want it to be). In other words, whereas this Christian family is relying on God for healing (with good results to show) and to put the past behind them, these people who are outsiders feel that the offending uncle should never be a part of his family anymore. Some were said to be angry that the judge didn't give him jail time when he had been been working hard to correct his past evil deeds through Christian principles and therapy. The thing is that many people sincerely believe that they know what's best for other people.\n\nFamilial offenders while they are vile, are not the kinds that go around looking for kids to rape and kill. Moreover, research shows that the recidivism rate among them is very minimal. Yet, while some victims of abuse by family members will never forgive, most desire healing and moving on with what's remaining of their shattered lives. The abusers themselves should not be in denial. Their need to protect themselves legally or to avoid bearing the shame should never override the need for the family to deal with the problem and heal. They should understand and acknowledge their wrongdoing and the tremendous damage that they have caused to many lives and be willing to change. In fact, their attitude is a central factor to the healing of the family. \n\nAmerica should take a deep breath and find out if the current attitudes towards these crimes are helping or hurting families and the society. Sex crimes are very bad, but two wrongs can't make a right.
708818
Absolutely NOT! The vast majority of ALL sex offenders, including child molesters, commit the offense against someone they know well or against a family member.
986063
Oh yeah, they exist. These "do gooders" feel the "poor" criminal had a bad childhood, they were never listened to, we can't put them away, it would be wrong and harmful for them, we must help them in any way we can, on and on it goes. These idiots - whoever they are - spew out more garbage in favor of the criminals while the victims are screwed over. It can be anyone, not just as they have said in the past, the bleeding heart liberals.\n\nEver hear this one. This families house is broke into. The criminals had guns, the family dog bites one on his leg, he ends up suing the family and he WON!!! \n\nThat's only one, there are so many, you would puke.\n\nIn Britain this little old lady had a toy gun, A TOY GUN mind you, she apparently scared these imbeciles who broke in her home and she got done for it. They told her she scared them and it was wrong!! \n\nYeah, but it's not wrong they broke in her home!!?? \n\nThe laws are not what they should be anymore.
859978
Apparently we need the prison places for a much more evil type of person!!...Those old men and women who have never broken the law in their lives but now through the high taxes and low pensions can't afford their ever increasing council taxes......What terrible people they must be!!!  far more a danger to society than a rapist or murderer!! What a wonderful logic this government works on....when will they Wake up and join the real world?!?!?!!!
953487
No. Armed, violent, sexual predators should be sentenced to death and quickly removed from society, No matter who you are or where you are from.
405045
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.
262522
You know, I'm glad you asked.\n\nI completely understand the drive behind this recent movement.  I have 3 kids under the age of 10.\n\nHowever, laws like this are only smoke screens to make legislatures feel useful.  They only provide a sense of safety that is not really there!  (Like the lifeboats on the Titanic.)\n\nIf the offender is 2001 feet from the park, are my kids safer?\n\nThe laws likely are unconstitutional and unreasonable.  If the offender has lived there 50 years, he has to move?  his wife and children can stay, but he can't?  \n\nWhere is the offender to go?  If he moves to "safe" zone somebody will just open a day care next door just to make him move.  And it becomes a never ending cycle.\n\nI border a state with such a law.  The offenders' options are dwindling.  My state is considering similar legislation just to keep the offenders from moving to a less restrictive state.\n\nWith laws such as these, many offenders will become nomadic and more difficult to track.  Then how safe will you feel?\n\nIf an offender is considered to be a risk, treat them.  Monitor them.  Even lock them back up.  \n\nJust don't make feel good laws that can only harm our children by giving us a very false sense of security.\n\nTeach your children.  Watch your children.
1022378
To the person who is a Criminal Major. You are being taught what they want you to know, not what the truth is. To the person who mentioned a different study of each type of crime, you can read that exact study at the link this asker posted. \n\nThe recidivism rate for sex offenders is very low. It is much lower than any other crime, with the exception of murder.\n\nOne of you stated to ask the child. Well, I was molested as a child twice. Once at 6 and again at 11. I am not a VICTIM. I am a SURVIVOR. You will find if you talk to many of these people who are now adults they are survivors. We have several in our Yahoo support Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/roar_4_freedom\n\nBecoming a Survivor isn't easy, but it can be done. As many of us can attest too. The main thing that makes one a Survivor is learning to forgive. That is the problem with the many different therapists that have the victims in therapy. They only teach them that they are victims and they should hate. This is not the case and should not be a part of therapy. In many therapies this isn't done and these children lead productive normal lives.\n\nThe memory of what happened to them as a child will always be present, it is what they do with that memory that makes them a victim or a survivor. \n\nIf any of you were molested as a child, get into a good therapy session. Even if you are now an adult. You are also more than welcome to join our support group that I posted above.
391305
They do tend to ruin far more lives than one-time murderers.. so, no, they shouldn't get the same punishment.  Pervs deserve a much harsher punishment.  And, if you look up the laws and cases involving murders of children, you'll be upset to know that if you kill a kid, here in TX, anyhow, you'll probably only be charged with "injury to a child"...  don't know why but it's easier to kill a kid and get off than for killing an adult..  The law is wrong!
1097458
The offenders willfully gave up their rights when they commited a sexual assault. They violated another's rights. I think notification isn't enough. They should require them to live far away from their victims. The only victims are the actual victims of the crime.
820339
I don't know, but I would think it's extremely dangerous to put convicted sex offenders in a group home with mentally challenged people. Sounds like it'd be just too easy in that environment for a sex offender to re-offend. Does that make sense?
1005664
Do you want murderers and rapists running loose in society? Do you want child molesters to go free? We must have law enforcement or we will be at the mercy of criminals.