Pedophiles

Child sexual abuse is a very common act committed by sex offenders, also known as pedophiles. According to the Counter Pedophilia Investigation Unit (CPIU), “A pedophile is an adult who is sexually attracted to a child or children.” Pedophiles are a growing threat to society and account for a great amount of sex offenders. Statistics show that, “Sixty-seven percent of all victims of sexual assault reported to law enforcement agencies were juveniles (under the age of 18), 34% of all victims were under age 12” (CPIU). That is more than 50% of sex crimes committed against children. Also, “One of every seven victims of sexual assault reported to law enforcement was under age 6” (CPIU). These are only a few of the crime statistics that have been reported to law enforcement agencies.

Many sex crimes committed against children may never be reported because a child may not speak out about what happened. Also, in most cases of child sexual abuse or molestation, there is a bond or connection between the offender and child. “Most childhood sexual abuse occurs with someone a child has an established and trusting relationship with” (CPIU). The offender can be someone the child is related to, like a father, uncle, brother, or even a teacher to name a few people close to a child. Strangers are what parents worry about and strive to protect their children from; they don’t believe that anyone close to them would hurt their child.

With that being said, these sex offenders know that will work to their advantage. “Predators use the same innocent vulnerability we strive to protect in our children, for purposes of methodically gaining their trust by giving special attention to them so they can eventually sexually abuse them” (CPIU). A child’s innocence is easily taken advantage of because they believe that they can trust anyone and have not experienced enough life to know they can’t. When that trust is built and the predator sexually abuses the child, the child will believe it okay. For crimes not being reported, the child doesn’t feel that what is happening is wrong or they are afraid to report it for the reason that they like the person and don’t want them in trouble.

Now, what causes a child to trust these individuals who sexually abuse them? There are a number of tricks that pedophiles use to lure a child to trust them. Pedophiles have been known to use the authority trick, desensitize trick, drug and alcohol trick, fame trick and the friendship trick to name a few (CPIU). With a combination of a child’s vulnerability/innocence with their respect for authority figures, sexual abuse is common. This falls under the hero trick, when “Children are often impressed with those individuals they look up to such as those in a position of authority like a coach, teacher, older cousin. They may endure abuse to maintain a relationship where they are receiving special privileges for fear of losing those privileges” (CPIU). A child may not want to disappoint their elder and will do anything to keep that from happening.

Protecting a child from a sex offender is difficult for the fact that children are innocent, naïve and trust people too easily. Awareness by parents, other adults and society will be the only way that will prevent pedophiles from committing sex acts against children. Also, the more educated children are about what is right and wrong will aid in the prevention of juveniles being sexually abused.

Works Cited:

Counter Pedophilia Investigation Unit. “Pedophiles.” CPIU. 2010. Web. 28 June 2010. http://www.cpiu.us/pedophiles/

Counter Pedophilia Investigation Unit. “Statistics.” CPIU. 2010. Web. 28 June 2010.
http://www.cpiu.us/statistics-2/

Sex Offenders and the Community

Sex crimes such as rape, statutory rape, sexual abuse and child pornography are a few of the crimes committed that will label someone as a sex offender. Sex offenders are a growing problem because of their threat to society once they are released back into the community. There is controversy over letting an offender back into the streets or keeping them in prison for a longer period of time for more rehabilitation. Some may say that once a person fulfills their sentencing requirements they should be deemed free to go back to living in society. Oppositionists suggest that offenders must be tested and deemed fit to be released back into the community.

The United States Constitution is in agreement that sex offenders should be deemed fit by the law before leaving prison. According to an article “What does the Supreme Court Ruling Mean for Sex Offenders,” by Kayla Webley with Time News Feed, “The Supreme Court ruled…that those inmates deemed ‘sexually dangerous’ can be held indefinitely-even after their prison terms are complete.” This gives more reassurance to society that they are being protected and can trust that the government will do everything possible to prevent a sex offender from a potential crime in the future. According to an article, “Extended Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders is Upheld,” by Adam Liptak with the New York Times, “The federal law at issue in the case allows the government to continue to detain prisoners who had engaged in sexually violent conduct, suffered from mental illness and would have difficulty controlling themselves.” These three key points are noted on every single person convicted as a sex offender. If the individual shows signs of the violent conduct, the mental illness or not showing self control, they will not be released into society.

With the Civil Commitment Law enacted, society can rest assured that they are being protected. Once a person becomes a sex offender, they are labeled forever. Sex offenders become registered for life and are easily located through an online search made possible by Megan’s Law. According to the Office of the Attorney General in the State of California, “California's Megan's Law provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of our local communities may protect themselves and their children.” With the Civil Commitment and Megan’s Law, society can easily have more insight on who committed a sex crime, who was made to stay in prison after their prison sentence was up, who was deemed fit to be released, where a sex offender is living and what crime they committed. These laws enable society to have more insight on who is living in their area.

Even with these laws intact, there is still room for a first time offender to commit a sex act, for a registered sex offender to commit a second act and for many people in society to not be educated of the people surrounding them in their community. The question to ask is this: Is it okay to allow sex offenders back into society once the government approves that they have passed the ‘test’ of being fit for the community? The answer is no because as mentioned, once an offender always an offender. It is easy to say that these sex offenders are given the benefit of the doubt but it is the duty of the community to not allow that to happen. This opens doors to the opportunity of committing a sex crime again. What to do with these offenders is in question but there is one thing for sure: they cannot commit a crime again.

Works Cited:
Liptak, Adam. “Extended Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders is Upheld.” The New York Times. 17 May, 2010: A3. Print.

“Megan’s Law.” Office of the Attorney General: State of California. 2009. Web. 16 June, 2010.

Webley, Kayla. “What Does the Supreme Court Ruling Mean for Sex Offender?” Time News Feed. Time News Feed, 17 May 2010. Web. 16 June, 2010.