Sexual Offenders

Before I begin, I talked about sexual assault in my last blog, and as we took a look at sexual offenders, I saw that a lot of them were defined and charged with sexual offense. So, I felt like I should give a clear cut definition of the term sexual offense.

a forcible sex offense is "any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that persons will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent," and includes forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling. Non forcible sex offenses are acts of "unlawful, non forcible sexual intercourse," and include incest and statutory rape. Courtesy of: http://www.slc.edu/security/Definitions_of_Crimes.php

So, to continue, I want to really define who a sexual offender, rapist, or sexual assaulter is. I faced a real moral struggle with dealing with them, because I have worked with several before, and several of them are very nice and genuine people who are hiding something that a lot of people would have a problem with if they found out. But if they didn't find out, you would think these people that you see are regular and normal human beings.

In my opinion, a sexual offender, while the title is fixed on you for the rest of your life, is something that envelopes all crimes, even ones where you expose yourself, which I have a problem with. While I see sexual offenders, especially child molesters, as scum, if they pay their debt to society and repent in their sinful acts, forgiveness should be given, or they should at least be treated like a regular human being. That however, does not mean they should get off pat, and that they should be allowed to return to anonymity either. It's just how they are treated, not how they are dealt with. Many times, we do not know the circumstances of when or why this sexual act occurred, and who are we to judge on what a person has done in the past? And in reality, it is something that they should carry with them for the rest of their lives, and I'm pretty sure they are carrying with them their punishment and attribution as much as the person who was violated is carrying with them the thoughts and horrors of the sexual act.

So in my mind, a sexual offender should be described as "anyone who commits a sexual act directed against any other individual against their will when consent is not given or is not a valid act of consent( like in children). Their crimes that they commit should include any type of rape, sodomy, fondling of sensitive and intimate body parts."

Taking a look at this site: http://www.familywatchdog.us/ShowMap.asp?frm=0 , you can take a look at the registered sex offenders in any particular area. Going to the Essex area where my dad has a used car lot, I saw some sex offenders who not only are our customers, but are some of my dad's employees. Knowing the Essex area, I know the area has its issues with crime and other violations. I was certainly not surprised, knowing that my dad has some work-release workers on his staff as well. I was caught off guard by one face I saw in the crowd, and was very surprised cause this particular guy has worked for my dad for years and has done a lot of work around our house, the dealership, and other places.

To try and define the life of this particular or certain sex offenders, I know that a lot of them come out of broken homes and broken neighborhoods. Some of them probably don't get very good education, and I'm sure some of them didn't learn the respect for women from a father-figure or a mother. They themselves, or someone close to them, may have themselves been victims of sexual abuse as a child or as they got older. And I'm sure a lot of these violations can be attributed back to things like alcohol or things in that nature. Their lives were probably very miserable from time to time, and they had to find ways to get "enjoyment" out of it. And they looked to exploit someone else's sexual privacy the way that they themselves were exploited by the world around them.

I know for a fact that a lot of them continue to struggle after the sexual act. They have to register with the police department, and they are kept on websites like the watchdog site for everyone to see. Some have trouble maintaining or getting jobs because of it, and some eventually find their way back into jail for more sexual assault crimes or other crimes because they have no where to go. It is a constant struggle for them to fit back into their normal lives, and while it may be warranted, it is something that can be very painful to see. And I have seen several of my dad's employees, such as this man named Charles who used to work for my dad and recently passed away, wherever he went, he had the reputation of being known as "Chester...Chester...the Child Molestor." He even heard it from people on the street and his fellow co-workers. I felt bad for the guy, but I have to ask you all out there. Do the crimes that these people commit carry with them eternal judgment and harassment from people out there, and to what extent should sex offenders be punished for their crimes( should there be an end to it, or do you agree with the once you are sex offender, always a sex offender approach)

Leave Comments Below. I would like to hear what you have to say since I emphasize with both sides of the issue.


Chell.