Can sexual offenders be rehabilitated?

[chisnpeke]

No.

I also have huge issues with teenagers having sex with other teenagers being called sex offenders or 20 year olds having sex with 17 year olds. That goes with them for LIFE and carries the same weight as a real pedophile. It's ridiculous to label them as a sex offender when they had consensual sex.

It makes me sick that sex offenders are released from jail and then go and harm someone else. When will we ever learn?

 

[chisnpeke]

Okay, let me say I think people who physical hurt child are scum of the earth, but I think they deserve a second chance. I truly believes everyone can change if God is in there lives.

I'd like to think that but these people have shown time and time again they can't control themselves. They clearly have deep mental issues that cannot be resolved. I do not think sex offenders are people who can be rehabilitated and if we just give them second chances, those second chances often end up being the end of some innocent victims life.

 

[chisnpeke]

ABSOLUTELY NO.
i think they (child molesters) should all be executed.

I think they should be castrated, personally (hope that is allowed here).

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

No!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

The only group that I would answer "No" to would be pedos. They belong on a separate list. I believe that most adult/adult sexual offenders can be rehabilitated. I also think that more people are falsely/errantly accused of this type of crime than any other.

 

[phragmipedium]

I think they should be castrated, personally (hope that is allowed here).

On a case by case basis, I agree. Even chemical castration has shown remarkable reduction not only in recidivism rates but urges in general among pedophiles. Depending on why/how the person is offending, it can be a very effective tool - and often even the offender, if they feel they have no control, is grateful for that treatment.

While I agree the laws are too broad as they currently are written, especially involving those who consensually engage in statuatory rape, "sexting," etc. - that kind of reckless behavior can ruin lives, and I don't think it can be stressed enough to kids what the consequences can be for a little "fun." It's certainly not worth the potential end result, so making them aware is key.

 

[Nancyg56]

Generally speaking, I would say no, and in all honesty don't really care, as I don't think everyone in the world should get a second chance, and IMO these ppl. don't qualify for one. The only exception I think would be if it was a child sexually abusing/assaulting another child. While it's still horrible, I would hope that those child offenders would be forced/given every oppurtunity to be rehabilitated, but again once they reach adulthood, if it's done again, I'd say no more chances.

This is exactly how I feel. I just do not understand letting these people out, pleaing (is this a word? down or in any way, shape or detail letting them serve a lighter sentence than what their crime was. You cannot undo the damage they do so in my opinion all bets would be off.

I also do not believe in parole for any violent offender. How on Earth can anyone justify a punishment and then letting these creeps go before serving there full time? I live in CT and we saw what happens when two monsters were released for good behavior. What they did to this family is beyond horrible!

 

[N.Bailey]

This isn't even debatable unless someone just wants to debate for the sake of debate. It's been determined that the answer is a big fat, NO!

 

[luvmy3]

a true sex offender? Never!

Now, the 17 year old girl that willingly sleeps with their 18 year old boyfriends for months until the parents catch wind and press charges? my heart breaks for them

They are classified by the law as the same man who rapes 3 year olds

ita

 

[N.Bailey]

Looking back thru the thread, ok, maybe I did get ahead of myself before thinking. I was specifically referring to child predators, but even speaking of violent offenders who didn't necessarily rape a child, the risk is VERY high and IMO, it's too great a risk to be releasing them back into society. Their reactivation rate isn't quite as high as child predators, but it's well above the 50% mark within ONE year of release.

There are cases where one is labeled an offender where it's my personal belief that the law should change as to not classify these individuals under the same labels as child predators and/or violent offenders (different states have different laws and most are catching up, but it's still crazy in some areas). Even some cases of BF/GF relations can get labeled as predatory when it's by most people's standard, not even in the same ballpark. Some laws need to change!

 

[Inigo]

I'm a probation officer, and I have worked with offenders of all sorts, including sexual offenders. Sexual Offenders (and not just the 18 year old who had sex with a 16 year old) are the most likely to reoffend, and the least likely to be rehabilitated. It's the nature of the offense.

Think about this to consider rehabilitation: Let's say you are a heterosexual female or male. Now, think about what it would take to make you only want to have sex with goat...hard to imagine, isn't it? You aren't attracted to goats, and you don't want to have sex with a goat.

Well, sex offenders have an attraction to a certain type of sexual partner, whether that be pubescent children, infants, teenagers, whatever. Now, it would be about as easy to convince them to stop being attracted to whatever their preferred partner type is as it would be to convince you to be attracted to goats.

All that can be done is to get them to the point that they do not act on whatever their preference is and to not possess any materials or whatever that would put that preference into their mind.

As for violent sexual offenders, you add the power issue into the sexual preference and that makes those offenders hard to cure.

I will tell you some of the sex offenders that come into our office are some of the nicest people around. They have to be since that's how they get their victims. They groom them until the victim is ripe for the picking.

We've got a 15 year old boy who was arrested not to long ago for molestation of his younger siblings. The last three offenses were after he completed a year long residential treatment program for adolescent sexual offenders. All it did was teach him to be a better offender.

 

[N.Bailey]

A true sex offender? NEVER!

Now, the 17 year old girl that willingly sleeps with their 18 year old boyfriends for months until the parents catch wind and press charges? My heart breaks for them

They are classified by the law as the same man who rapes 3 year olds

The good news is, in our state, the law has indeed changed and a 17 year old cannot be charged with having consensual relations with their 18 year old counterpart.

You can be charged with a first degree felony if engaging in sexual acts with anyone 12 years of age or younger. In PA, the age of consent is 16 and having consensual relations with anyone older would at most yield a charge of corruption of minor. If 13 to 15, if there isn't more than a 4 year separation in age, no statutory rape laws would apply.

 

[spacemermaid]

I'm a probation officer, and I have worked with offenders of all sorts, including sexual offenders. Sexual Offenders (and not just the 18 year old who had sex with a 16 year old) are the most likely to reoffend, and the least likely to be rehabilitated. It's the nature of the offense.

Think about this to consider rehabilitation: Let's say you are a heterosexual female or male. Now, think about what it would take to make you only want to have sex with goat...hard to imagine, isn't it? You aren't attracted to goats, and you don't want to have sex with a goat.

Well, sex offenders have an attraction to a certain type of sexual partner, whether that be pubescent children, infants, teenagers, whatever. Now, it would be about as easy to convince them to stop being attracted to whatever their preferred partner type is as it would be to convince you to be attracted to goats.

All that can be done is to get them to the point that they do not act on whatever their preference is and to not possess any materials or whatever that would put that preference into their mind.

As for violent sexual offenders, you add the power issue into the sexual preference and that makes those offenders hard to cure.

I will tell you some of the sex offenders that come into our office are some of the nicest people around. They have to be since that's how they get their victims. They groom them until the victim is ripe for the picking.

We've got a 15 year old boy who was arrested not to long ago for molestation of his younger siblings. The last three offenses were after he completed a year long residential treatment program for adolescent sexual offenders. All it did was teach him to be a better offender.

Yes, all this.

My Dad was also in law enforcement, and has said basically the same thing.

And I am of the belief that, although many people would cry foul or "cruel & unusual punishment" or whatever, if someone is a child molester, they shouldn't even get a chance at "rehabilitation" because what they've done is unforgivable.

 

[N.Bailey]

Yes, all this.

My Dad was also in law enforcement, and has said basically the same thing.

And I am of the belief that, although many people would cry foul or "cruel & unusual punishment" or whatever, if someone is a child molester, they shouldn't even get a chance at "rehabilitation" because what they've done is unforgivable.

IMO, too many people mistake prison as a place for rehabilitating convicted felons. Prison is for punishment and punishment ONLY. They deserve NOTHING (well, maybe the needle and in all honesty, I'd prefer something much harsher, but.... I guess this is where everyone tells me it's about justice and not revenge, but harm a child and I think society is entitled to a bit of revenge).

 

[Soarin08]

A true sex offender? NEVER!

Now, the 17 year old girl that willingly sleeps with their 18 year old boyfriends for months until the parents catch wind and press charges? My heart breaks for them

They are classified by the law as the same man who rapes 3 year olds

I know a couple in a similar situation. Girl is 16, guy is 24. Girl is now pregnant. But guess who's idea it was to sleep together? Yup, the girl's, she admitted it. Yet if her parents end up pressing charges, this guy will go to jail.

True molesters and rapists can never be rehabilitated, to me.

 

[lillygator]

The other story I have heard since I work at the school is this...
There is a 18 year old girl who took pictures on her cell phone in the locker room of two over-weight 16 year old girls. She texted them to a bunch of her friends and most of the football team (this was back in Nov.). Well, the picture taking went back to her, now she's going to court and may loose everything! She had college scholarships (local ones that she's now LOST), was going to Univ. of Minnesota in the fall and a life of luxury living at her parents million dollar home in a 'high end' community here in our town.

I don't think she should be listed as a 'sex offender/distributor of child porn' but she probably will be.

On the other end, these two girls who's pictures were shown to everyone have had a very difficult school year (one has even tried to commit suicide!) and feel completely violated, they will until they go off to college and can get away from all these people who have seen them naked! So, I don't know what to do in that situation, but this idiot 18 year old girl and the rest of the people who have sent these pictures on DEFINATELY need some type of punishment. It needs to be as severe as it can be so they'll learn. BUT, they shouldn't be listed on the sex offender registry.

That brings me to another thought. What has the world come to now that this can actually be allowed to happen AT ALL??? What insane dumb person takes pictures, sends them and IS NOT SMART ENOUGH to realize that they WILL get caught? HOW DUMB do you have to be?

A REAL sex offender, one that has raped, molested or sent bad pictures of children...they don't have THE CHANCE to get better because of our legal system and jails/prisons. MAYBE SOME of them COULD be cured, but they've never really had the right kind of therapy to actually make a difference in their lives. There is a guy in our church that has a brother who has 're-offended' after being in jail for over 10 years. He 'became a good christian' while he was in there, he even started a bible study with other inmates. The urge was so strong to 're-offend' that he couldn't control it. This is a mental problem/illness that people have- to them it's not a choice. Some even realize it's a problem, they just can't control it. Many people can resist from re-offending, but it takes ALL OF THEIR POWER to do so. And after they get off that year or two of probation, they are 'watched less' so the chances are that they 'slip into the system' and could probably get away with re-offending and no one even finding out about it.

Even if they DON'T do it again, they still have those 'urges' and it's a TON of mental work not to do it. Just because they don't do it, doesn't mean they are 'cured'

That girl SHOULD lose her scholarship.....she is well old enough to know better than to do that.

I know a couple in a similar situation. Girl is 16, guy is 24. Girl is now pregnant. But guess who's idea it was to sleep together? Yup, the girl's, she admitted it. Yet if her parents end up pressing charges, this guy will go to jail.

True molesters and rapists can never be rehabilitated, to me.

when did they start sleeping together? at this same age? The guy must be an idiot to be sleeping with a girl under 18 if he is 24, or else has never heard of anyone being busted.

 

[MizTink]

Okay, let me say I think people who physical hurt child are scum of the earth, but I think they deserve a second chance. I truly believes everyone can change if God is in there lives.

God can save his soul, but here on our earth he is a risk to every child.

 

[FireDancer]

IMO, too many people mistake prison as a place for rehabilitating convicted felons. Prison is for punishment and punishment ONLY. They deserve NOTHING (well, maybe the needle and in all honesty, I'd prefer something much harsher, but.... I guess this is where everyone tells me it's about justice and not revenge, but harm a child and I think society is entitled to a bit of revenge).

I don't think prison should just be for punishment. It should be rehabilitation and education. If someone has no alternative when they get out other then the crime they committed to get sent there they will return to that life of crime. This is why drug offenders and gang members end up in a vicious circle of prison life. It may cost a little more to incarcerate them the first time but it is cheaper then punishing them for their 3rd, 4th, and Xth offense.

 

[cheermom1]

I don't think prison should just be for punishment. It should be rehabilitation and education. If someone has no alternative when they get out other then the crime they committed to get sent there they will return to that life of crime. This is why drug offenders and gang members end up in a vicious circle or prison life. It may cost a little more to incarcerate them the first time but it is cheaper then punishing them for their 3rd, 4th, and Xth offense.

this is the first thing that has made sense!

 

[pperfectmom]

Okay, let me say I think people who physical hurt child are scum of the earth, but I think they deserve a second chance. I truly believes everyone can change if God is in there lives.

God can have them as soon as they have been executed, as far as I'm concerned.

Although, assuming there is a god, I highly doubt he would want them either.