Child Molesters Have Rights? Part 2

Sexual abuse is defined as "any sexual behavior with a child to meet the adult's sexual needs or interest," according to the Stop It Now website. This behavior includes any touching, forcing, penetrating, showing or even looking.

It is true that sex offenders are mandated by law to register information such as name, residency address and employment after release from a psychiatric facility or even prison with their local law enforcement in order to make people aware and inform them of this potential safety risk. This law is also known as Megan's Law. The law was named after Megan Kanka, a 7 year old, who was murdered and had unnecessarily suffered both sexual abuse and rape simply because the parents didn't know that the person living across from them had a past record of sex offenses.

Some concerns of this law include "fear of vigilantism and discouragement of sex offenders complying with the registry law." Another concern is that some registered sex offenders may not pose an immediate threat. For example, let's take in consideration 'statutory rape.' There are cases where sex is consensual between couples who are close in age but one just happens to be a minor or 17 and under, while the other person is 18 or slightly older. This would be the only case that I'd be somewhat lenient towards especially if both parties were sexually active and dating prior to one of the individuals reaching 18. However, the other 2 concerns should not be of any concern for the child molester for it was their choice to commit the crime.

Legally, sex offenders can be released from prison and live in communities near you and I, putting our families at risk. They don't deserve that right, do they? Personally, I feel that sex offenders should be confined to their homes and places of employment. They should be forced to wear electronic monitoring devices on their ankles for the remainder of their existence. In addition, they should be forced to pay for the device instead of using tax dollars. Sex offenders should not be permitted to any civil rights such as the right to privacy. They've given up their rights the very minute they stripped that young child's rights away. After all, how safe would you feel living next to a convicted child molester?

Unfortunately, these offenders exist everywhere from schools, work, churches, neighborhoods, family, friends and any where else you can think of. Are children really safe? My answer: No child will ever be 100% safe for these molesters are not detectable. The only solution is to stay informed, remain alert and report any suspicious behavior.

Child Molesters Have Rights? Part 1

It is no secret that each of us are entitled and privileged to have rights also known as our Civil Rights. The concept that I'm unable to grasp is the simple fact that rights are still given to child molesters and rapists.

This topic will have 2 parts. Part 1, I'm going to be providing you 2 detailed examples of how close to home child molesters can be. Part 2 will explain some of the existing laws and the molester/rapist rights.

Example 1:

I lived in a Stafford neighborhood with my 2 kids and my babysitter who just happened to be my mom. We lived down 610 from 1998 - 2004 in a warm cozy townhouse. On one side of us, we had a neighbor who never seemed to be home and her grass was just about as tall as our 6ft fence. On the other side, we had some friendly neighbors a couple and their children which consisted of 1 female and 2 male. Their youngest child was male and attended high school. He was a well known kid around the neighborhood. He played well with other children on nearly a daily basis. Strangely though, he was always shy around adults but there was no doubt in most of the adults mind that he'd be the perfect babysitter, simply because he got along with all the kids including mine.

One evening, a couple in the neighborhood had permitted this teenager to watch their children ages 5 and 7. No problem with that, right? Wrong! A few hours into babysitting sirens were sounding off, police cars surrounded the end unit town home and practically the entire neighborhood frantically watched and wondered what was going on. Were the kids O.K.? Soon, cops began to interview everyone, asking questions about this teenager. Being that we lived next door to them, the police officers were knocking at my door. We co-operated the best we could and answered every question but still, we really didn't know much about this kid.

We politely asked the police officer the purpose of his questioning and there it came, the shocking news that this kid had attempted to molest one of those children. He told us that the older child had walked in the bedroom with the teenager inappropriately touching the younger child. The cop also told us, that this was the teenagers 2nd offense! The cops had confiscated sheets and clothing as evidence. The following day, the entire family immediately moved out of the neighborhood and they were never heard from again.

Example 2:

Who would ever expect to work with a child molester? Well, sadly enough, I can truthfully say that I had that experience in 2007. He appeared normal and seemed credible; after all, he was retired from the Armed Services. He had a wife who was confined to a wheelchair along with 3 children: 1 boy and 2 girls. No one ever met his family; however, his cubicle had plenty of family pictures. The family appeared to be very happy. He often spoke about some of the trips and concerts the family attended. One specific story I remember him telling was when he took his wife to an Aerosmith concert for their 10th anniversary. The surprise was front row tickets because of her handicap. I specifically recall telling him that I was jealous and laughing about it.

After working with the company for almost a year, he came to work one day and informed the team that his wife had asked for a divorce. The entire was shocked and tried giving him support by assisting him with his tasks and just trying to help him through it, especially those team members who had been through a divorce themselves, including me. It was during this time that I too was separating from my spouse as well. The team just couldn't comprehend why his wife wouldn't allow him to see his daughters but only his son. He told everyone that his daughters wouldn't speak to him. One team member went so far and offered him a temporary place to stay in her basement. No one knew his dark secret.

A few months had passed by and his divorce was almost final. For some strange reason he had stopped coming to work. He didn't even bother calling anyone to let us know if he were sick or simply taking the day off. Almost a week passed by before the police showed up at the work place and confiscating his work computer. Still, no one knew what was going on until the next day. A team member came to work with the Fredericksburg newspaper and his name written in it. On March 28, 2008, this 42 year old man was charged with 21 counts aggravated sexual battery and 10 counts object sexual penetration. He committed these crimes on his daughters!


How is it that in both my examples, everyone seemed to be fooled by these disgusting and obviously sick people? I'm sure story's like these shamefully happen everyday.

The Death Penalty

Today marked another day of execution by lethal injection. John Allen Muhammad, also known as the DC sniper, was put to death for the crimes he committed. The harshest punishment was given to him for gunning down a total of 10 innocent people during a 3 week period around the VA area. His accomplice, Malvo, received a life in prison sentence because he apparently was to young for the death penalty.

Capital punishment is legal in 38 out of 50 states; however, the "crimes punishable by the death penalty" varies from state to state. Personally, I think that the death penalty should be legal in all 50 states. Each state should have the right to punish those found guilty of pre-meditated murder. This political debate should continue to exist despite the pros and cons. The victims who suffer and continue to suffer for their loss should have the right to help determine the sentencing and the law should ensure that the victim's recommendation is suitable for the crime committed.

It is unbearable to think of losing a family member due to a reckless murder. For those who are against the death penalty for the simple reason that killing is wrong, well isn't that a little ironic that capital punishment is killing a murderer? It's almost like an "eye for an eye." People who violently kill someone other then self defense should not have the right to live.

Do people have the right to keep and bear arms?

According to the US Constitution people have the right to keep and bear arms under the Bill of Rights. To be honest with you, I don't know where I actually stand in this issue. There exist pros and cons to both sides of this on-going debate. This political debate will be determined by voters such as you and I.

I'll start with my thoughts on the cons first. I think by allowing people to bear arms, the risk of gun shootings rises because more people will own them. Now I'm not trying to imply that all shootings are malicious and intentional. There could be an accidental shooting. Wait a minute that just doesn't sound right, "accidental shooting." For anyone who owns a deadly weapon, they should have proper training and storage to prevent "accidental shooting." However, we all know that is not the case. It's been over the news and close to home. We all know about the school shootings that have taken place throughout the past years. It's extremely sad to think about or fathom the situation. Unfortunately no one could have prevented this from happening or could they? If the right to bear arms was completely taken away from the people, would the rates of gun violence significantly decrease? I'd have to think so but that doesn't include the gun violence that takes place with criminals who don't abide by the law. It's criminals who illegally own these deadly weapons without any regard for human life. They don't take into consideration any life when it comes to robbing, protecting themselves, drugs, gangs or simply their pride. Hence; this leads me to the other portion of this debate.

On the flip side of this debate, I think that people do have the right to protect themselves against criminals or the enemy. For example: just as the criminal would want to protect themselves or their gang members, I'd want to protect myself and my family. If my home was to be invaded and my kids were in harms way, I'd want to protect them as any parent would. What are your chances of surviving if the criminal has a gun and you don't? Again, most criminals don't have concern for your life, so I'd have to say that you have a slim chance of surviving.

The only conclusion that I can think of is to make weapons safer and laws harsher. Illegal weapons should not be taken lightly for any circumstance. People who wish to become a gun owner should have to register there weapon every year as we do vehicles. There should be little tolerance for any weapon not properly stowed away from children. In addition, all weapons should be sold by the states as alcohol is sold in Virginia through the ABC stores. There should and needs to be more control over deadly weapons such as guns.

The Right to Wed? Really?

One of the on going issues and debates today is regarding Gay Marriages. Should it be legal for same sex marriages? Some states have already passed laws that permit gay marriages. These states include: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont. Beginning, January 1, 2010, New Hampshire will soon be acknowledging such marriages. Currently, Washington D.C. and states such as New York, California, Rhode Island and New Mexico will recognize gay marriages that have been performed in the legalized states. In the meantime, the other states are debating, have debated or will debate on this issue.

In my opinion, it's only a matter of time before all states recognize and legalize gay marriage. Again that is my own opinion.

The most recent debate loss was Maine which occurred on October 27, 2009. Maine was to legalize same sex marriages based on "a law passed by the Maine Legislature last spring." However, there was a petition signed by the Maine residents that would "drive to repeal it in a referendum." The outcome: voters successfully won the battle to "reject" the law; therefore, gay marriages are not legal in this state.

Do you have the right to marry who you want? Well then, why does the same right NOT apply to gay people? What is so wrong with same sex marriages?

WARNING: Please do NOT mention the Bible because you are violating another right, and that is in the first amendment: the right to religion, which will be discussed in a future post.

To Abort or Not to Abort....

Abortion will always be a topic of debate in the US. However, the fact is that it is legal in the United States. There is one stipulation for minors under the age of 18 and that is, they need parental consent with the exception of California.

Abortion is a right based on the infamous case of Roe v Wade. Jane Roe, a single pregnant woman, filed a complaint against Texas stating that Texas law on abortion was violating her right. At that time, the states law only permitted abortions to women at risk of losing their life, which must be done on medical advice. Henry Wade, District Attorney of Dallas County, unsuccessfully had to convince the jury that the law was not a violation of constitutional rights.

People have options from aborting, adopting and keeping their child. All 3 choices are tough decisions but only 1 can be made. I'm pro-choice as long as the termination is within the first trimester or if a woman's life is at risk. As for adoption, I understand people's arguments about putting the child up for adoption; however, can these people guarantee a safe place for these children? Take for example this case in Springfield, Ohio where not 1 or 2 but 5 adopted children were abused by their adoptive parents. These children were "beaten with sticks, belts, shoes, fists and hammers," and that's just naming a few unthinkable accounts of abuse. Now for those who are pro-life, can you still tell me and guarantee me that this is the best option for both parent and child besides abortion. Let's not discuss the fact that adoption agencies and social service workers are heavily loaded with cases of mistreated children. If you're pro-life, then are you willing to adopt one of those children?

It seems so simple to me and here is my own personal thought: if you don't believe in abortion then DON'T have one. For those who are pro-choice, well, I hope for the sake of you and your future health that a lesson is learned and that is to get on birth control. Abortion shouldn't be a form of contraceptive especially when you have a variety of options including over the counter items.

References cited

About.com (1973). Roe v Wade Supreme Court Decision: 410 U.S. 113. About.com Women's History.
http://womenshistory.about.com/library/etext/gov/bl_roe_a.htm

Lough, Valerie (2009). Woman accused of abusing 5 adopted children to go on trial Tuesday.
http://poundpuplegacy.org/node/19996

You have the Right to....

After yet another opportunity to deliberate my thoughts, I've decided to change the topic of my blog about family to discuss yet another hot topic, YOUR RIGHTS!

This blog will discuss major issues about YOUR rights such as: Abortion, Gay Marriages, Right to Bear Arms, Death Penalty, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, and many other problems within our country.

I often wonder, "Who am I or you to tell someone or deny someone their rights?" Whatever happened to the Constitution written by our founding fathers? Who has the greater power of your decision?

Why do we create issues, when we need to solve them? We can start by allowing people to keep their rights!