For sex offenders who prey on children, out of sight isn't out of mind. That is just one reason the "pedophile-free zones" that the Hamilton Township Council created on Tuesday night won't work.
Though the goal is admirable, forbidding convicted pedophiles from living within 2,500 feet of schools, parks and playgrounds is largely a symbolic gesture.
The vast majority of sex crimes against children are committed not by strangers lurking in the bushes but by people those children know and trust - in other words, by people literally in the children's back yards.
Full Story @ North Jersey Media Group
Posted by Mrs Muddy at June 18, 2005 12:15 AM | TrackBackYeah, all the hype in the media is about the 1% of serial sex offender.
And the statistic is forgotten, 80% of the abuses are made by parents step parents uncles aunts and grand parents.
People are told to fear others, when in reality they should fear themselves, which means, they should take action now to be more courageous on all causes of fear.
It may be worse for a child to live in a climate of fear, never trusting any adult (other than parents), and grow completely debased, than for a healthy child to be confronted once with an agression, and grow out of it, because of the strong support he gets from his parents and others.
This fear society is asking for always more police, army, insurance and other protections. Not exactly the way to go forward when you want to build a democratic and free society. People need to relate and the media (TV especially) is a powerful instrument that teaches people to live apart, closed behind barriers, in front of their screen, not trusting anyone but legal officers.
The time in TV journals spent on crime, police action, trials etc. has probably increased 3 to 4 times.
ANd again it's a world phenomenon lead by the USA.
It's not healthy to concentrate on the negative.
Posted by: DF at June 21, 2005 05:32 AM"The only thing we have to fear is, fear itself"
-Batman Begins (best movie of the year)
"The only thing we have to fear is, fear itself"
-Batman Begins (best movie of the year)"
Well, Benny.....that quote was actually spoken in 1933 by Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1st inaugural address (not unless someone else has another source). However, since you've apparently have just seen "Batman Begins", that was probably just fresh in your mind and just went from there.....
As for the rest....I'll coment later. Right now, I just don't have the time.
Posted by: mrs. muddy at June 21, 2005 12:36 PMQuite frankly:
"...the law sets a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life for those convicted of molesting a child under 12. If released, they face lifetime monitoring with a Global Positioning System device."
Sounds good to me.
DF:
"...80% of the abuses are made by parents step parents uncles aunts and grand parents."
I don't know if that's the actual number - but, you're right. the majority of times, the molestation *is* done by someone the child knows. And not just a relative but a good family friend and/or a neighbor. That was pointed out in the 3rd paragraph of the article.
"People are told to fear others,"
Well, yes and no. As far as children go, it's more like teaching them to be on gaurd and aware of their surroundings and survival. Unfortunatly, there are some pieces of information that parents (like muddy and me) have to teach their kids that *will* indeed make them a bit fearful. However, it's teaching them to survive. I don't want my kids to be afraid of anyone BUT I also don't think it's unhealthy if they are afraid of a child molester. If there is anyone to be afraid of out there - it's them. Besides, you can teach your child to be leary of strangers and strange touchings without making them afraid and suspicious of everyone out there.
"...than for a healthy child to be confronted once with an agression, and grow out of it, because of the strong support he gets from his parents and others."
I understand what you're saying but....once a child is molested - they NEVER get over it. At least that's the understanding I've had from people I've known throughout my life who have been victims of this. From the people I've known, though, yes - it has made a few of them stronger *because* of family support (if the family even *found* out) and for others, it made them even *more* fearful of people because of what they went through to begin with. All of those situations probably could have been avoided if the kid knew what to look out for from the get go. Not to mention, some of these kids where molested by repeat offenders which is why I think this global positioning thing is a great idea.
People who commit those crimes are just plain wacked. What the hell are they thinking before they commit vile disgusting crimes.
Posted by: Coleman at June 21, 2005 11:24 PMColeman, 80% of those who commit those crimes have been abused as children.
I guess before they commit, they 're not thinking much.
Mrs muddy I guess we agree on this. I still think there s way to much publicity in the media for all crimes, especially serial commiters. This is unhealthy. I'd rather see reports on how to raise children, how to react to criminal acts, news empowering people.
Posted by: DF at June 29, 2005 04:05 AMoh please, give me a break man.
Define abuse for me then.
I'd argue the vast majority were just the opposite, not given any attention or discipline by their Godless parents.