Sexual Offender vs Sexual Predator

Published on October 26, 2005 By foreverserenity In Current Events

In Florida, there are new laws passed because of sexual predators preying on our young and innocent children.

There are bans in place now that are much stricter than the laws before. I applaud them. It says that a sexual offender or predator cannot be within 2,500 feet of a school, church, playground, Day Care, or any place with children.

Some people are saying however, (the family members of these offenders) that their families are being blacklisted because of the new laws and they cannot live where they want to anymore. They cannot live within some city limits or their family member is being affected for life because they will have trouble finding jobs. And since the offender will have already served time for the criminal act they committed and will have to be on the sex offender registrant list for life, is that not enough of a punishment?

In other words the sexual offender/predator is being banished to a life of non-existence and this is being played upon by politicians who feed the fears of the general public at large who don’t put up a fight against these new laws that put so many restrictions on these predators who often return to their family’s homes.

Some of these criminals also think the new laws are unfair because they are classified as a sexual offender and not a sexual predator; they didn’t commit an act against an individual child but rather downloaded pictures of children (kiddy porn) from the Internet and got caught doing so.

Truthfully I don’t see much difference between a sexual offender and a sexual predator (1). I see them as the same thing. The offender is also the same as a rapist, an exploiter, and one step away from becoming a pedophile! Just because someone may have looked at picture of kids engaged in illicit and wrongful activities (and they got caught doing it), whose to say the looking won’t lead to touching!

Too many times a sexual predator is released into society after serving time for his crime and he commits the act again, another innocent child scarred for life! Many of these predators usually commit the crime again and again, so I can’t blame these cities that enforce stricter laws to protect their children.

It’s terrible when someone is falsely accused, such as the case of two teenagers, who had consensual sex (I believe they’re the same age or he’s 16 and she’s 14). The outcome of this story is the boy was accused of raping the girl because she didn’t want her father to know she willing had sex with a black boy. She told her dad that he raped her (the dad was a racist). The boy is currently serving time and he will have the stigma of a sexual offender attached to him for life.

In a case such as that one it is unfortunate. However a pedophile or offender will be lumped together because the acts they commit are horrible.

Post script: I watched the television movie on Lifetime, Human Trafficking (2), it was so horrific and seeing the stories unfold on the small screen of what is happening around the world to young girls and boys who are stolen from their lives to feed the needs of sick men who exploit these children. Children whose own family members also exploit them for money. It’s a horrible thing. I shake with rage and fear at the cunning of these people who are involved and what they do get away with. I hold my children closer to me, vowing to protect them as best as I can and praying for those innocents who are lost.

There’s something that I’ve been thinking about where this human trafficking is concerned too. My hubby and I were talking some weeks ago regarding the missing girl in Aruba, Jessica. They haven’t found her body, she’s practically disappeared off the face of the earth and barring the possibility that she’s been eaten by sharks or some other sea monster (not meant as a joke), maybe she was sold into the white slave trade. I’ve repeated this thought to others who think this might just be possible. Who knows, anything is possible.

__________________________________________

(1) Here’s a link to the American Most Wanted Website that explains about sexual crimes: Link

(2) Here’s a link to an article about the movie: Link

Comments (Page 1)

Moderateman

on Oct 26, 2005

Here is what I think, If a man or woman boink someone moderately underage, like 17 years old, they are branded predators forever
I think this is wrong, a mistake is just that a mistake.

Dr Guy

on Oct 26, 2005

maybe she was sold into the white slave trade. I’ve repeated this thought to others who think this might just be possible. Who knows, anything is possible.

I have already thought that. But you are right, we will probably never know the truth.

foreverserenity

on Oct 26, 2005

Here is what I think, If a man or woman boink someone moderately underage, like 17 years old, they are branded predators forever

It most definately is wrong for a grown man to have sexual relations with a girl who is underage.

Teenagers shouldn't even be having sex but they're going to do it anyway. Mistakes happen and it's terrible when it's one like that.

I have already thought that. But you are right, we will probably never know the truth.

This is true Doc, this is true!

Moderateman

on Oct 26, 2005

#3 by foreverserenity
Wednesday, October 26, 2005

It most definately is wrong for a grown man to have sexual relations with a girl who is underage.

is wrong totally, but have you seen some 17 year old today>? both boys and girls< what is someone suppossed to do ID everyone they have sex with?

Tova7

on Oct 26, 2005

I am very passionate about this subject.

As a parent I want to know if ANYONE who has EVER been convicted of a crime against kids moves near me. I don't care about his/her rights. I don't care about any excuses. Give me the info and I will decide. My children come first period. If that means some guy who had sex with a 17 year old is busted and profiled, so be it. I don't care.

Good article forever, I never thought about the slave trade for the missing girl. Hope that is not the case.

Tova7

on Oct 26, 2005

is wrong totally, but have you seen some 17 year old today>? both boys and girls< what is someone suppossed to do ID everyone they have sex with?

Well, yeah if you don't want to end up listed as a sexual predator. Just like any other decision you make in life you gotta weight the pros and cons. Why is that so hard to imagine doing?

Gideon MacLeish

on Oct 26, 2005

I have problems with this legislation, frankly. 2,500 feet is damn near a half mile, and it is all but impossible to find ANY house or an apartment in ANY American city that is more than a half mile from the described places.

We DO have a duty to protect our citizens, especially from those who have already been CONVICTED of sexual offenses. BUT, we have a way to protect them properly. It's called "prison", and it should be used LIBERALLY in heinous crimes such as these.

Personally, I advocate a return to penal colonies, but what do I know?

ParaTed2k

on Oct 26, 2005

Part of the problem is, while we do have laws that seperate sexual Offenders from Sexual Predators, they range from ultra paranoid to downright silly. Do you realize that in many states, public urination is a sexual crime? A woman breastfeeding in public without keeping her nipple completely covered at all times could also get her on the sex offenders list in some states (although I'm not sure if this one has ever been enforced.

The point is, as a society we have to decide what truly is predatory behavior and what is simply distasteful or even what shouldn't be covered by the law at all.

I strongly support sex offender registries but like all legislation, laws covering sexual offenses and offenders need to be made based on facts and realities, not fear and knee jerk reactions.

Remember, fear works on the side of the predator, awareness works for everyone else.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 26, 2005

It most definately is wrong for a grown man to have sexual relations with a girl who is underage.

I agree. While a teenager may encourage or solicit sex from an adult, the maturity and good sense of judgment should rest with the adult. As in the case you mentioned with the 17 year old boy and 14 year old girl, teenagers often do not consider the implications of their actions. Research has shown that there are brain differences that make teens more impulsive.

It's the responsibility of the adult (I don't consider a 17 year old an adult, btw) to use self control and not take advantage of the immaturity of a child.

As far as the new legislation goes, it's the consequences of their actions. If a husband murders someone and ends up in prison, he will no longer be able to support his family. His crime and the consequences of it will harm his family. That's just the way it goes.

When a sex offender rapes a child, he faces consequences that may impact his family and loved ones. It sucks for him and for his family, but that's the nature of life. Many poor choices we make hurt us and those we care about. There's no escaping this.

A woman breastfeeding in public without keeping her nipple completely covered at all times could also get her on the sex offenders list in some states (although I'm not sure if this one has ever been enforced.

I'd be grateful if you could give me some links for this (not doubting what you've asserted...I'd just like to read more about it). Many states have laws that establish that it is legal for a woman to breastfeed in any place where it is legal for the woman and infant to be.

It would be a tragedy for our society to punish women for nurturing their children in the most natural and beneficial way possible. It's funny how much explicit and raunchy sex we're exposed to through TV, movies, and ads and yet we claim to be so prude that the sight of a mother feeding her infant is considered scandalous.

foreverserenity

on Oct 26, 2005

is wrong totally, but have you seen some 17 year old today>? both boys and girls< what is someone suppossed to do ID everyone they have sex with?

I know Elie, heck you should see my 16 year old! It scares the crap out of me and I remember myself at that age! My mom had to come to my defense a few times because of a few lechers!

I am very passionate about this subject.

Me too Tonya, me too! Especially because I have children and I have been lucky in my life but came close to being molested a couple of times in my life. One of those times as a young adult and by an uncle (by marriage to my aunt) whom I adored. I haven't talked about it in a while but it was a shock and quite depressing for me. My hubby (who was my Fiance at the time) was so mad at him he wanted to kill him!

dharmagrl

on Oct 26, 2005

The guy that Dave had as a prisoner until last month (he got transferred to Leavenworth to serve out his 9 year sentence) started out with child porn. Then he exposed himself to his finacee's 7 year old daughter, had her touch his erect penis, masturbated in front of her and ejaculated on her. Regularly. He didn't rape her....but when he gets out after this 9 year stretch he's doing, he will rape someone's little girl. He's already demonstrated an escalation of behaviour and an inability to control his urges.

There was a guy at our last base who also started out with child pornography. He raped his step daughter regularly from the time she was 12 until he was 15. He finally got caught because he sodomised her, and that was where she drew the line, so she came forward and dimed him out. Again, there was an escalation of behaviour and activity, but it has to be noted that both those cases started out with kiddie porn. As a matter of fact, ALL the pedophiles I've ever dealt with have begun their 'careers' with child pornography.....

foreverserenity

on Oct 26, 2005

Good article forever, I never thought about the slave trade for the missing girl. Hope that is not the case.

Thanks! I know but it's certainly a possibility. I would hate to think she would end up that way too.

Well, yeah if you don't want to end up listed as a sexual predator. Just like any other decision you make in life you gotta weight the pros and cons. Why is that so hard to imagine doing?

In some circumstances most guys don't ask for an ID. They're just interested in having a good time.

Well Gid, I'm sorry to say I really can't feel sorry for them on this. Seriously speaking. Too many times they get a second chance and the same crime is committed again. What's a parent to do, what's a child to do? Is it our fault that these laws have to be made to keep those perverts away from our children? No way!

Personally, I advocate a return to penal colonies, but what do I know?

They may very well have to do this!

Do you realize that in many states, public urination is a sexual crime? A woman breastfeeding in public without keeping her nipple completely covered at all times could also get her on the sex offenders list in some states (although I'm not sure if this one has ever been enforced.

NO I didn't know this and yes,this is down right silly!!

The point is, as a society we have to decide what truly is predatory behavior and what is simply distasteful or even what shouldn't be covered by the law at all.

I agree with this.

I strongly support sex offender registries but like all legislation, laws covering sexual offenses and offenders

True, but you can't blame us for the fear and knee jerk reactions. It's taken a while for the legilators to decide on these new laws so you can imagine how much longer it will take to decide on anything new!

Remember, fear works on the side of the predator, awareness works for everyone else.

Very true Ted, very true!

While a teenager may encourage or solicit sex from an adult, the maturity and good sense of judgment should rest with the adult. As in the case you mentioned with the 17 year old boy and 14 year old girl, teenagers often do not consider the implications of their actions. Research has shown that there are brain differences that make teens more impulsive

This is so true Tex!

It's the responsibility of the adult (I don't consider a 17 year old an adult, btw)

I agree, me too.

It would be a tragedy for our society to punish women for nurturing their children in the most natural and beneficial way possible. It's funny how much explicit and raunchy sex we're exposed to through TV, movies, and ads and yet we claim to be so prude that the sight of a mother feeding her infant is considered scandalous.

And how! It's amazing to me that this would be considered scandalous and a sexual act at all!

foreverserenity

on Oct 26, 2005

My point exactly! Thanks for sharing this Dharma, looking eventually will lead to other urges!

There was a guy at our last base who also started out with child pornography. He raped his step daughter regularly from the time she was 12 until he was 15. He finally got caught because he sodomised her, and that was where she drew the line, so she came forward and dimed him out.

That's dreadful. It's a pity she wasn't brave enough to say something prior to that. But it's good that she told and got him arrested!

dharmagrl

on Oct 26, 2005

But it's good that she told and got him arrested!

He got 29 years, and he deserves every single second of that sentence.

ParaTed2k

on Oct 26, 2005

TW & Forever, to tell you the truth, I simply put down two examples of what would most likely be considered "silly" applications of sex offender laws. But hey, you asked, so I took a little time out of my Oh So Busy schedule to see if I could back it up (at the risk of letting the example overshadow the point).

I couldn't find anything that listed "breastfeeding" specifically as a sex crime (and I really didn't expect to find one), but what I did think of when I wrote the example (as simple exposure of a nipple) wasn't hard to find at all.. here's the first one I found...

13-1402. Indecent exposure; classifications

A. A person commits indecent exposure if he or she exposes his or her genitals or anus or she exposes the areola or nipple of her breast or breasts and another person is present, and the defendant is reckless about whether such other person, as a reasonable person, would be offended or alarmed by the act. Link

It was kind of entertaining to learn though that, in the state of Arizona, a mother could be considered a child molestor if she breastfed her child... after the child's 15th Birthday! (((Personally, I think if the kid is old enough to ask for a meal from mom... the kid is probably too old... but I guess I'm not from Arizona)))

13-1410 - Molestation of child; classification

A. A person commits molestation of a child by intentionally or knowingly engaging in or causing a person to engage in sexual contact, except sexual contact with the female breast, with a child under fifteen years of age.
Link

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