Like the majority of convicted paedophiles I’ve encountered, he’s existed on state benefits, his applications for the few jobs left open to him as a convicted sex offender consistently rejected. No follow-up to the SOTP was available to him in an environment where triggers were now real and persistent. Exiled by family and friends, his support network consisted of a handful of probation service and mental-health professionals – and two other men like him he’d met inside.
I was reminded of Victor again this week after meeting a rather exceptional group of volunteers who have been quietly changing the way this country relates to child sex offenders. Circles of Support and Accountability originated in a town in North Ontario, Canada in 1994. The Mennonite Church there was alarmed to discover that a low IQ offender was going to be released into their midst with no support. So they formed a circle around Charlie of willing people who became highly trained, who met with him daily and would be on call at any time for him, and who would also alert the authorities the moment he suggested he might re-offend. They became known as Charlie’s Angels.
Ok. These volunteers are taking on a difficult project, as well as protecting their community. It’s not something I could do, that’s for sure. I’m more of the “castrate him with a rusty spoon” mentality. But I will give respect where it’s due. Good for them.
Oh, that is so mean and unfair. To the spoon.
I think if we made pedophilia a capitol offense, it would solve a lot of problems.
No Eric. If we made pedophilia a capitol offense, it would solve the problem. Anyone who would abuse a child this way is one sick SOB no longer fit to live in any society.
Hi,
May I say a very interesting yet extremely controversial subject but none the less one that can evoke all kinds or reactions?
Castrating a sex offender does not help the situation at all; it only takes away the ability and not the intention. This would merely satisfy our need to do something about the horrendous crime / perpetrators.
It can seem as if this offence is on the increase but I would like to think that it represents a much more expressive society that we now live in and victims feel they can voice their abuse without judgement and disbelief.
Regards
Dawn Pugh
http://www.dawnpugh.com
If you made it a capital offence, you’d end up executing 30% of the population.
I think we should kill all paedophiles, harvest their organs and use the remains to make fertilizer for growing pot.