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How many sex offenders live near you?
oilgun:
I sometimes feel that these sites do more harm than good by creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. Expecially when people who commit relatively benign 'sexual offences' are lumped in with those who commit serious sex crimes.
Brown Eyes:
I agree that they create an atmosphere of fear. But, that the same time, I also think it's a good idea to have those lists available for folks who what them. I think that in some ways they may create a false sense of security if one doesn't see a lot of offenders listed on one's own neighborhood or near a school, etc. (as K mentions). Any unregistered sex offender could be living anywhere.
Monika:
--- Quote from: oilgun on June 21, 2010, 04:28:35 pm ---I sometimes feel that these sites do more harm than good by creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. Expecially when people who commit relatively benign 'sexual offences' are lumped in with those who commit serious sex crimes.
--- End quote ---
I very much agree.
What´s next? How many arabs live near you? or How many gay people live near you?
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: Buffymon on June 21, 2010, 04:35:19 pm ---What´s next? How many arabs live near you? or How many gay people live near you?
--- End quote ---
I agree with oilgun's point that the label "sex offender" can be very unfair. I can even understand arguments against registering and mapping offenders in general. But I have real problems with this analogy.
Convicted rapists and child molesters have committed serious violent crimes, have a psychological problem that often resist attempts at treatment, and may be a danger to others. As groups, Arabs and gay people have not committed crimes and aren't dangerous. The sex-offender registry may be highly flawed, but it's not about some baseless prejudice and it's not a slippery slope to other kinds of discrimination.
Brown Eyes:
I agree K. As far as I understand... folks on the sex offender registry (and I'm sure the nature of the list varies a bit from state to state) are all convicted of something whether it's the worst-case scenario rapist or child molester or someone arrested for something more "trivial."
I agree also that things like public urination may indeed be trivial (and fall way below the level of the serious criminals), but I also think that folks having sex with underage "girlfriends" have serious problems (again maybe of a different variety from violent rapists)... but statutory rape is still a super serious offense IMO.
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