Thankfully (?), the chances of you being sexually abused/molested are much higher by someone you know, than by a stranger. While you should always be aware of your surroundings, it's helpful to know that you're not as unsafe as you would appear superficially.
The problem with that database is it doesn't tell you what their offense was or when they were convicted. Is the person a child molester or a rapist? How long ago did they commit their crime? I've heard stories of gay men charged many years with sodomy when it was illegal (and prosecuted) still being on sex offender registries.
If I have a sex offender living next door, and if I'm going to be told about this (and I'm not completely convinced that this is always a good idea), I don't think partial knowledge is adequate. Should I be afraid that a rapist lives next door when it's actually an elderly gay man convicted of sodomy in the 60s?
And regarding gailg's comment... it really shouldn't matter how "big" or "small" their offense was. They were conficted of a heinous sexual act against another human being. Say, would it make you feel better to know your neighbor killed 1 person instead of 30? It's still bad and we still have the right to know.
My take on her comment is, say you are a single woman living alone. Now say you know a "SEX OFFENDER" lives next door to you. Would you not worry less for your own safety knowing he was one of those prosecuted for sodomy as she stated, or (while still tragic nonetheless) a child molester that has no interest in single women? Yes, you are correct that it is our right to know, but also knowing more specific information would be helpful. Our choices are thereby more informed.
I was just trying to show you the bigger picture since it sounded like you were closed off completely. I agree with you that this whole idea is abhorrent. The fact remains that once these people are released from prison, they are going to live in our communities. The point of my reply is that I want to know more than that they are simply a Sex Offender. If there is a child molester due to be released in MY neighborhood, I want to know. It seems that happenstance is the only way people find out nowadays. One neighbor will hear and post fliers to warn the other neighbors. If my seven year old daughter wants to play alone in our fenced-in back yard and I know a sex offender lives two blocks down, I want to know what the guy did. As gruesome as it sounds, I would rest more easily knowing he was one type of offender whose kink does not include seven year old girls. So it is not the worst train of thought to a rational person that does not let hysteria sway him, and does not paint every criminal with the broadest brush possible.
Living near a child molester certainly wouldn't make me feel any better, but knowing that the "sex offender" in question was arrested for having *GASP* gay sex *GASP*? Yeah, I think that would help me relax a little. Same with statutory "rape" between a 19-yr-old and a consenting 17-yr-old.
yeah. but it could be for statutory rape or something like that that isn't neccesarily heinous. there ARE some instances where someone has to register as a sex offender and it will basically ruin their life due to EVERYONE knowing.. other states did list the crime though I noticed (i searched my friends name as a joke)
fyi: if the thing doesn't say "predator" on it, or lists a violent crime, you can be registered as a sex offender in oregon for public urination, having sex in your car (and getting caught), if you're 21 dating a 17 y/o and get convicted of statutory rape, etc.etc.etc., it's crazy but it's a loose definition sometimes with the grand ol law.
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lokidecat) wrote in ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif?v=92.1){kind=small}
damnportlanders,
April 25 2005, 18:29:07 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 18:32:07 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 18:35:12 UTC 7 years ago
No kidding...
I entered mine and it listed like 40 people :(April 25 2005, 19:48:01 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 18:37:24 UTC 7 years ago
If I have a sex offender living next door, and if I'm going to be told about this (and I'm not completely convinced that this is always a good idea), I don't think partial knowledge is adequate. Should I be afraid that a rapist lives next door when it's actually an elderly gay man convicted of sodomy in the 60s?
April 25 2005, 19:01:22 UTC 7 years ago
And regarding gailg's comment... it really shouldn't matter how "big" or "small" their offense was. They were conficted of a heinous sexual act against another human being. Say, would it make you feel better to know your neighbor killed 1 person instead of 30? It's still bad and we still have the right to know.
April 25 2005, 19:10:01 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 19:12:57 UTC 7 years ago
Blech!
April 25 2005, 19:29:50 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 19:57:33 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 20:01:45 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 20:12:48 UTC 7 years ago
April 26 2005, 03:07:40 UTC 7 years ago
April 26 2005, 04:13:31 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 19:25:03 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 19:25:29 UTC 7 years ago
I feel dirty.
The BAD kind of dirty.
April 25 2005, 20:01:11 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 20:03:35 UTC 7 years ago
April 25 2005, 23:27:10 UTC 7 years ago
I thought it was just a sick rumor.
*scrubs with sandpaper*
April 26 2005, 00:11:45 UTC 7 years ago
April 26 2005, 01:19:15 UTC 7 years ago
April 26 2005, 07:53:51 UTC 7 years ago