There are many things that I don’t understand in this world. I don’t understand how anyone in the United States could go hungry. I don’t understand why orphanages are so full, when so many good people would love to raise those children. I don’t understand why violent criminals are sent back out into society, when it’s a fact that they are likely to commit another violent act. I don’t understand why many of our veterans are living in poverty. Most of all, I don’t understand why child molesters just get a slap on the hand for their crime…
I recently heard about a man who gives legal representation to sex offenders. This man doesn’t think that anyone should be able to say where a sex offender can or cannot live. He thinks that it would be okay for a sex offender to live beside a school. His list of beliefs go on forever… Personally, I question the man’s motives. Why would anyone, especially a parent, say that they wouldn’t care if their neighbor was a child molester. (He didn’t say it in those words, but how else can you interpret it)?
I have a few opinions on this matter…
First, I do agree that the actual crime should be clearly stated on a sex offender registry. Why? Because, I would not feel as threatened by someone who was eighteen and was charged with having consensual sex with a 16-year-old. That’s totally different than a sexual predator…
Secondly, in my opinion, anyone who abuses a child in this way should never be living anywhere, except prison. I don’t want them in my neighborhood, though some are. I’m not mean to them, but I don’t trust them, and never will.
I know, there are probably some of you who think that I’m being a little harsh, but let me explain. I’ve known several people who were molested, and they don’t get over it. They are violated, to some degree, for the rest of their lives. Though they may go on to live productive lives, they are forever changed by this act of violence.
A mother once said, “They brought back a different child. She looks the same, but she is not the same. It’s been ten years, and I’m still searching for the baby that they stole.”
Her daughter was in the other room when the mother spoke those words.
Her daughter had been sexually abused by her uncle. He, the uncle, spent 12 months in jail for the crime that forever changed this little girl’s life. Now, as his life goes on, she is still being treated for Post Traumatic Stress. She’s struggling to keep up in school, when she wasn’t before the abuse took place. She has had to take anti-depressants to cope. She’s seen therapist more times than she can count. She’s still scared, confused, and isolated by her pain.
This child told. How much worse is it for the many who are too afraid or ashamed to tell anyone. What will happen to those children?
I understand that people can change, and I do pray for people like this. I don’t hate them, but I do not believe that our children should be the bate to see if these people are “better.” In my opinion, not everyone deserves a second chance to commit the same crime… It’s a sad thing when people spend more time in jail for stealing someone’s money than they do for stealing a child’s innocence…
It’s just an opinion.
