‘It’s overkill’: Should sex offenders be banned from the NC State Fair?
Sex offenders in particular are seldom given the nuance and rehabilitation we afford to other people with criminal histories. Their lives are forever affected by the convictions they carry, just like other people convicted of crimes. But unlike some others, they face additional punishment at the hands of the state, even after they’ve served their time. In North Carolina, residents who are registered sex offenders (meaning they have been convicted of sexual contact with a minor or a sexually violent offense) are not allowed to attend any agricultural fair, including the N.C. State Fair underway in Raleigh.
Advocates for sex offenders see it as an extra burden that is not applied to other offenders with criminal records of violence. “It’s egregious and outrageous. It’s overkill,” Robin Vander Wall, president of North Carolina Association for Rational Sex Offense Law, said in a press release. “This is a matter of fundamental fairness and equal protection under both the state and federal constitutions.”
There has been one publicized instance of random sexual assault of a minor at the N.C. State Fair since 2000. The man arrested for the crime had no prior record, and was employed by one of the vendors. The more we treat registered sex offenders as boogeymen, the harder it is for us to accept the reality of when and where child sexual abuse occurs. The vast majority of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the child knows. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 70% of sexual assault occurs in a home; outside of residences. These assaults occur mostly in secluded areas, like on roadways, woods and motels. Sex offenders, both in North Carolina and nationally, have lower recidivism rates than other violent offenders. Given that, we should at least consider why their punishments must continue for decades after they have been released from prison.
Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/article267331792.html#storylink=cpy
“…have lower recidivism rates than other violent offenders.” Other violent offenders? What violence is there in a Romeo/Juliet relationship or peeing in public?
You can write to the journalist and ask.
We will never find external peace until we attain internal peace. I do not speak from theory but from experience. I feel deep sympathy for those who are unable to forgive. If we cannot offer forgiveness, we will not receive forgiveness. I would like to have the time to investigate the politicians who are so set on unforgiveness. It falls into the category of passing the heat to someone else to keep the heat off of oneself.
I can only speak for our case. However, I am sure many others Should Not be on the registry. The sentencing my son received shows that there is corruption in the courts. Caught in a child sex sting, the Kind judge gave him a downward departure. The statutory reason was (f) the victim (the police) was the initiator, willing participant, aggressor, or provoker of the incident. However, I do not see how this was not entrapment and the case should have been dropped. I guess they just follow the easy money that the stings bring in and continue to fill the registry.
With all the real unsolved crime in our nation, it never ceases to amaze me that some so-called law enforcement officials have time to create ‘phony crimes’ to justify their existence.
Editor?? Your article States “The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 70% of sexual assault occurs in a home; outside of residences.”
Perhaps you could clean that up – is it “in a home” OR “outside of residences” ?? 🤷🏻♂️
It gives lazy politicians and sheriffs the opportunity to sound like they are doing something about crime without actually doing anything. They all need a boogeyman to stay in the press.
AMEN!
Given the whole boogieman vibe to the SORs, I’m not surprised that all sex offenses are considered “violent.” They tack this on as flavor and “reasoning” for having this doxing database. See how much better it sounds to say, “nonviolent drug offenders” vs “violent cartel thugs?” Unfortunately, states/federal governments make this nonsense adjective just because they said so.
All sex offenders ARE considered violent, in Florida.
My name is Dennis. I usually go by the name Tired.
I live in the villages in
Sumter County. A number of years ago I was called bthe deputy in charge of registration and was told that there was a county fair in sumter county and that I was not allowed to attend. Having no interest in going in the first place I didn’t pay it any attention. But after reading about NC, I thought I would simply mention this. I guess I am used to having my human rights taken away from me.