Jul 19 2008
Witch-finder Services
I’m sure by now, most of you have come across these online criminal search websites where you can locate “dangerous” sex offenders living in your area and “protect your kids” from these monsters.
To repeat - 90% of sexual abuse will be committed by someone who is not on the Registry and by someone you already know. Obviously, the re-offense rate is very low and most sex offenders have not raped anyone to begin with. These companies are just out to make money by exploiting your fears and scrubbing the facts. No, these seek-and-destroy services are not free and you may be violating state laws by pulling up data that normally requires your (digital) signature.
The information you collect from these websites will be of little or no use to anyone looking to protect their children. People who ran over kids while driving drunk or who committed manslaughter or sold drugs at the school yard are not listed on any Registry and could be living in your neighborhood right next door to a sex offender whose only crime was mooning someone years ago. However, the mooner is the only offender you’d be informed about out of the four. Feel safer now? I didn’t think so.
Granted, there are a few sex offenders you should genuinely fear. These type of offenders are a small minority of all registered (Tier levels are not a true indicator of risk since the basis for tier level assessment is often manipulated by crooked politicians). Chances are you already know about high-risk offenders through law enforcement notification policies. But again, 90%+ of new sexual abuse will be committed by someone who is not on the Registry! So these services are really a waste of your time and money. Preventive treatment is the best weapon against sexual abuse, not these ex-post-facto revenge trips.
Here is the URL to one of these witch-finder services . Tell them what you think about their fear-mongering scam and maybe you will help outlaw these websites that promote misguided vigilantism. I thank you in advance.
Also, a friend of mine informed me about this cheesy website that promises to do a full scale witch hunt on all criminals (not just SO’s), even those who’ve never been arrested! Here is the link - www.criminalsearches.com . So if you’ve ever had a run-in with the law, even decades ago, your name and other data may be publicly listed here. E-mail the owner and voice your opposition to this defamatory service. It should be illegal!
It is time to put out the torches.
