When Does a Watershed Become a Sex Panic?

Join the discussion

1. ValueGirl November 17, 2017

   So, I’m reading this article and I can’t help but feel that the world is in such a crazy place. Everyone accusing everyone and everyone being guilty before they have their day. Insanity.
   This morning I’m reading on my FB about a potential attack on a young girl in Orange County (CA) that was walking home from school. All the local citizens are of course on a rampage with the stranger danger stuff. So some guy posts you should look at the “list” just to have awareness. To which I give him a small tongue lashing about how stupid the list is and how it doesn’t help him protect his kids. And I give examples. Here’s what he says in return:
   “I didn’t say it would protect anyone, just simple awareness helps….And that is incorrect, there are degrees within the penal code system that require registration. A streaker is not on that list; underage consensual sex, unless there is a 3 or more year age difference is not on that list; and downloading child porn, unless it meets a significant amount of images/video, is not on that list.”
   So, I’m thinking…I’ll just put this out and see who wants to help me answer this clearly uneducated guy who things he knows….any input RC family????

   • AlexO November 17, 2017

     The CP thing used to be true and would often be prosecuted as a misdemeanor unless there were ton (or other circumstances). In 2014 it became a straight felony without leeway and was added to a very short list of not being expungable in California.

     The 3 year thing he’s likely thinking of Texas Romeo and Juliet law. But that law only applies if the “victim” is 14-17 years of age. If the victim is 13 or younger, the law does not apply, even if the perpetrator is minor themselves. In fact, Texas had at least one case where a 14-year-old boy was prosecuted for sleeping with his 13-year-old girlfriend. The mother found out, reported him, and the cops went after him and he’s now on the registry. The prosecutor even said his hands were tied due to the law.

     A streaker can certainly be on the list. It just depends on what state as laws very greatly form state to state. Some states have kids as young as 8 on the registry and not because they’re homicidal maniacs that were raping other kids.

     And the very growing sexting prosecutions are putting more and more teens on the registry for taking and sending CP. They’re listed as both a victim and perpetrator against themselves.

     The scope of the registry is far beyond what the general public believes it is.