A guy you might be scared to meet, Galen Baughman, gave a talk at a TEDx event in New York City recently. TED is known for introducing new speakers with new ideas on everything from tech to society to teaching. But Baughman was the first presenter who happens to be on the registry.
The sex offender registry, that is. His crime?
He had sex with a teen when he was a teen. He was 19; his boyfriend, 14. They had sex once. It was consensual. The younger teen did not want to prosecute, but his parents did. Full Article
This is an excellent article and points out the utter stupidity of the broad brush approach to labeling everyone a sex offender. There are those who clearly should be watched and those who, once they have done their time and paid the “debt to society” should be allowed to move on with their lives and be given the second chance that is supposed to be given to all.
Unfortunately as the article points out…once you get that scarlet letter you have it for life and you are forever changed in the eyes of society. Hard to believe that the year is almost 2016 and still this sort of BLACK AND WHITE thinking is allowed to ruin so many lives!
As Baughman told the TEDx crowd, “your child is more likely to be labeled as a sex offender than to be abused by a sex offender.”
Well stated. I wonder if this is a valid claim?
Baughman says “The label ‘sex offender’ is a made-up category,” I say it’s manufactured; same thing. Either description = BS
Why is it so hard to get this across to the public here? I am sure we have many intelligent people in this country, so how come they don’t see the nonsense this term “Sex Offender” created? We are all sex offenders, one way or another. Are we dangerous? No! Are we criminals? No! But, we have done things that, if caught, would label us the same. Urinated in public? Yes? Had sex with someone underage? Probably! Is it considered a crime? It depends who you ask. The list goes on. One day, people will realize how things have gotten out of hand in this country. I am counting on intelligence and common sense to prevail.
I have researched the Cato Institute’s report on police sexual misconduct and believe it is more likely that someone will be sexually molested by a cop than by a registered citizen. Think about that.