Stop the Harassment of Sex Offenders

Stop the Harassment of Sex Offenders

People shied away from him, as people often do when confronted with a powerful stench. Jesse could not help it, hygiene was not so high on his list of priorities, finding food and shelter were a bit more important. He could not find employment even though he was hardworking and educated. Jesse wanted to work, and as a college graduate, he should have ample opportunity to do so. However, Jesse's life had taken a severe downturn. Shortly after graduation, he met a girl at a bar who was willing to 'celebrate' with him. One thing led to another as things are frequently prone to do and Jesse indulged himself. Unfortunately, the girl was only sixteen (a very mature sixteen), her father learned of Jesse's actions and had the boy arrested. He was convicted of statutory rape and received a slap on the wrist - so to speak. You see, Jesse was now a sex offender and had to register with the state police; his name, address, telephone number, and picture were published and put on the Internet. Almost immediately, he began receiving threatening phone calls and all job prospects dried up. His life was over.

Even though the above is a total fabrication, it still rings true. According to the Charleston Gazette, in 1994, seven-year-old Megan Kanka was kidnaped and killed by a twice convicted sex offender who lived in her neighborhood. People in her neighborhood did not know of his past (Internet: Don't...). This brought about the spread of the so-called 'Megan's laws', states must now keep registers of sex offenders. Some states go a step further with these laws. Janet Reynolds of the Hartford Advocate reports that, in addition to the registry, California legislature voted to make che...

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...ck to well lit areas at night, and try not to walk around alone at night, you could even take a self-defense class. Let people make amends for their mistakes and get on with their lives.

Works Cited

"Don't Panic. Use Offender List Wisely." Editorial. Charleston Gazette 30 Sept. 1998. Available at

http://wvgazette.com/Editorial/PANC0930.html

"Phone Number Mix-up Wreaks Havoc." The Herald Dispatch 4 Oct. 1998, 3 C.

Reynolds, Janet. "The New Scarlet Letter." Hartford Advocate 1997. Available at

http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/articles/scarlet.html

Searls, Tom. "List of Sex Offenders Sends Up a Red Flag". Charleston Gazette 1 Oct. 1998.

Snyder, John. Letter. The Brown Daily Herald 5 Feb. 1998. Available at

http://www.theherald.org/herald/issues/020598/aclu.f.html