Strollerderby

While childhood poverty is a massive problem, all the types of abuse cannot be linked to poverty.  First, in this article she is referring to reported abuse.  Abuse is more often reported in poor areas, because of many of her stated reasons, including people living in closer proximity.  Second, sexual abuse is usually perpetrated by a relative or close family friend, not a stranger.  These are people with full access to the children and are trusted by the family.  Poverty or middle class, that does not change.  I happen to agree, that if Vermont is doing everything it can already, there is no reason to try more education or registering or many of the other programs that don't really appear to work that well.  BUT saying solving childhood poverty will solve sexual abuse is about the same as saying solving childhood poverty will create fewer pedophiles.  It sounds great and makes it seem like we can solve this issue, but sexual abuse is not that simple.  I agree, spend more money to solve childhood poverty it's a very important issue and don't blow the money on unnecessary programs, but let's not lie to ourselves it won't solve every problem.

I am not sure about the laws in Vermont, but in many states, those convicted of statutory rape are counted as sex offenders. Lets say that you have a 19 year old boy and a 17 year old girl who have sex and the girl's dad decides to press charges. The boy can be labeled a sex offender. Many states also count those convicted of solicitation (prostitutes) as sex offenders. In addition, many times defendants take a plea bargain even though they insist they are innocent because they can get off with probation and registration rather than serious jail time.

I worked for the public defender for some time, and noticed that there are actually NOT a lot of repeat offenders in sex offenses. Yes, we do occasionally hear about psychos who go on molestation sprees. But by and large, people who molest children tend to be people who we trust. Most often it is the mother's boyfriend. Runners up are Scout leaders, sports coaches, family friends and neighbors, and of course, creepy uncles.  

No matter how you look at it. This country has passed the most ineffective sex offender laws. Jessica's Law in California is causing homelessness and a huge problem for offenders and society as well.

The Adam Walsh Act, (AWA), is causing more harm than good. It protects no one but just the opposite is true. It endangers everyone. Children are not protected. society is not protected and the offenders who range from 10 year olds experimenting to young teens for consensual sex.

Sex offender is not pedophilia, it does not mean "molester."  The biggest problem is that the public has been lied to by the entertainment news media and politicians, who for ratings and voted will tell you what you want to hear. And the real truth is very far from them.

If only the public would understand the RESEARCH they would be able to demand laws that actually work. As it stands now, the laws do "more harm than good."

Politicians didn't do their homework before enacting these sex offender laws. Instead they have perpetuated myths about sex offenders and failed to deal with the complex realities of sexual violence against children.

   Sarah Tofte, researcher for the US Program of Human Rights Watch and author, "No Easy Answers."

www.hrw.org/.../us-sex-offender-laws-may-do-more-harm-good

www.cfcoklahoma.org