Red signs outside the homes of convicted sexual predators.

[Rawr]

But justice will never come and I doubt anything will ever change, even if some governor's child was raped I doubt anyone would hear about it and nothing would be done because of the stigma of being raped. People look at you different after they know so all you want to do and everyone close to you wants to do is bury it. I get a small amount of satisfaction knowing that someone on the sidewalk sees that sign on someone's lawn they walk to the other side of the street, someone knows who lives in that house avoids them in public places, I want them all to be shunned. I want to hear about them being kicked out of stores, not being hired, I want them to be miserable for the rest of their damned lives. I want the justice that will never come and I will take anything I can get at this point. These people need to be reminded everyday of what they did and I don't care how it's done.

[AdamSavage]

You don't need a sign to know a Sex Offender lives on your street, or even beside you. You are warned ahead of time, and they have to register as a Sex Offender. All the sign does, is rub salt in old wounds and flares up people. Who only knows what unwanted attention a sign would attract.

[GormanGhaste]

Instead of wasting money on signs we need to spend time correcting the justice system itself. We need more psychologists and prison personnel to make sure when someone is released they are not going to re-offend and if there is a possibility they are, there needs to be a support network outside of prison to make sure they don't/minimize the risk.

So much this. Here in America, mental health services are severely underfunded, even though they would save so much money (by preventing crime and increasing employment) for their cost.

Apparently none of you know anyone who has actually been raped.

Unfortunately, this isn't true. I wish it were.

I'm sorry if people are trying to shame you, Rawr. Blaming victims is unacceptable, but all too common.

[Rawr]

People need to actually care about criminals to put time and money into helping them, lets face it no one is going to make a new tax to support therapy for rapists when the victims spend thousands upon thousands of dollars out of their own pocks just so they can function right. This country is like an angry old man with Alzheimer taking care of a kid, after he's yelled, scolded, and put them in time-out for doing something wrong he forgets about it 5 min later untill they do it again and everyone expects the victims to do the same. Try telling some who watched a loved one get murdered to "get over it" because the murderer "did their time". No these people need to be either locked up or reminded EVERY SINGLE DAY for the rest of their lives of what they did. If the victim of a crime is shunned the criminal should be too. Everyone seems to think that once they're out that everything is fine and that they should be able to live where ever they want to free of prejudice. NO there is no forgive and forget, even if they are forgiven their victims never forget so why should they or society. IF I CAN'T FORGET THEN NO ONE ELSE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO EITHER! I don't care how much money it takes put up those sign so no one ever forgets what these people did.

I have to stop posting here and lie down for a while before I do something I will regret.

[cowmuflage]

Instead of wasting money on signs we need to spend time correcting the justice system itself. We need more psychologists and prison personnel to make sure when someone is released they are not going to re-offend and if there is a possibility they are, there needs to be a support network outside of prison to make sure they don't/minimize the risk.

So much this. Here in America, mental health services are severely underfunded, even though they would save so much money (by preventing crime and increasing employment) for their cost.

That would fix a lot of things really.

[Wain]

OK, this topic has become very personal and emotional. For people who have experienced this kind of thing first or second hand this is completely understandable. I certainly can't say what I'd do in that situation.

But if this discussion is to continue it's probably best if we avoid making it personal from here on. Everyone has had their say, and there are some very differing opinions. While people have been mostly very respectful (thank you!), it's clear the pot is starting to boil.

[AdamSavage]

OK, this topic has become very personal and emotional. For people who have experienced this kind of thing first or second hand this is completely understandable. I certainly can't say what I'd do in that situation.

But if this discussion is to continue it's probably best if we avoid making it personal from here on. Everyone has had their say, and there are some very differing opinions. While people have been mostly very respectful (thank you!), it's clear the pot is starting to boil.

Meh, I've seen threads get far worse before. It's a tad edgy, but overall I think everyone is trying to be polite when posting.

[Mozag]

Like Makoes, I am of two minds about this.
I am both a mother as well as someone who has experience of rape, and I have never been very tolerant of the sentences rapists receive. Compared to the lives they ruin, they get off with very little. I am not sure that this humiliation tactic will solve anything, but neither do I think that a psychiatrist will either. If you are sexually attracted to children, then that is unfortunately what you are and will likely remain all your life, and no amount of counseling will change that. A homosexual isn't going to become heterosexual because he had counseling, my taste for large, long haired men isn't going to change because someone tells me that I shouldn't like them...you see my point no doubt.

I cannot change the fact that there remain men and women out there who are sexually attracted to children. That is entirely their business until they act on the impulse. What you do in your private thoughts is no concern of mine, even if you fantasise about my children. I find it disturbing personally, but as long as you don't touch my kids or those of anyone else, then we're cool.

I sort of agree with Rawr's opinion of having these people shamed and humiliated all their lives. When you rape a child, you will have destroyed their life to an extent forever. When I was younger I sometimes thought that it would be more merciful to kill the child rather than let it live with the burden that was caused by someone's lack of self-restraint. As a mother, I selfishly don't feel that way anymore, even though I know what a shameful and lifelong process it is to come to terms with the experience of having been defiled. But, as others say, what will these red signs solve? Nothing.

There should be tougher, harsher sentences on rapists. I am also completely in favour of castration, as well as any medicines that can alter your sexual appetites. It is breaking their human rights, no doubt, to make them sexless beings, but as they chose to step outside of the rules of society in which we are all expected to live, I think it's a small price to pay to be allowed to continue living among others. If they do not wish to go through the procedure, they are welcome to remain in jail or mental institutions for the remainder of their lives. In fact, for proven child rapists, I would personally be in favour of the death sentence, but that's a whole 'nother can of worms right there.

[Helsinki]

The following statements refer to true child predators- the ones who knowingly prey upon children, not the ones who were lied to by consenting teen girls (though they should check IDs haha) or who woke up naked and hungover in a lawn as children walked past.

With that out of the way... Child molesters do not change. They cannot be "rehabilitated" outside of castration. It simply does not happen. They should be marked for life as child predators because that's exactly what they are, for life.

HOWEVER... there is already a sex offender registry. Any interested party can look up a map of their neighborhood and find them. I mostly disagree with the signs for a few reasons... Outside of the civil rights issue (though it is quite difficult to care about the rights of sex offenders)... 1) it caters to the general stupidity and laziness of the human population. I feel it is important to know if your child may be in danger - so, being a human being with a brain, I would look it up. It's not hard. 2) I feel that having these signs is only a good idea of the justice system was a little less stupid. People in situations similar to ones I described in my opening statement could end up with these signs in their yards, and that's ridiculous.

For many/most offenses, I feel that having served one's sentence is a good reason to give them a chance to return to society. In the case of child molesters, I absolutely do not. You may disagree with me, but overwhelming evidence is on my side... They DO NOT CHANGE. Ever.

I do think that volunteering the rights of others will, however, lead to the loss of everyone's rights, slowly but surely. It is already happening.

[Corpsebryde]

I say kill every last rapist and murderer. I have no sympathy for them. They don't deserve to have the same rights that everyone else has. They ruined multiple lives when they decided to act like the lowest form of life I can think of and should be treated as such. I'm so sick of hearing about their rights. They weren't thinking about the victim's rights when they committed their atrocious acts. Nothing our "justice" system does is punishment enough; if you can even call jail time punishment in this country. Computers, television, earning degrees, earning money while "serving time"; it's all bullshit. String 'em up as an example to all!

[Castile]

Just to add a different perspective here is a story of a fausely accused man. He was never charged and the charges of sexual assault were (eventually) dropped. But think how more horrible his new (be it restricted) life would be with a sign if he had been convicted?

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa ... -and-hope/

While in prison his mother was murdered and ironically they got LESS jail time then he did! Theres something horribly wrong with that.

As horrible as sexual assault is theres always going to be some poor innocent person accused and convicted due to a revenge motive etc (Look at Doctress's friend) and invetably you have to think of these people too. As much as we'd like to name and shame everyone we need to think of the bigger picture. Which is why I'd rather see money spent on the justice system as a whole so the real criminals get the harsh penalties they deserve.

[cowmuflage]

Just to add a different perspective here is a story of a fausely accused man. He was never charged and the charges of sexual assault were (eventually) dropped. But think how more horrible his new (be it restricted) life would be with a sign if he had been convicted?

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa ... -and-hope/

While in prison his mother was murdered and ironically they got LESS jail time then he did! Theres something horribly wrong with that.

As horrible as sexual assault is theres always going to be some poor innocent person accused and convicted due to a revenge motive etc (Look at Doctress's friend) and invetably you have to think of these people too. As much as we'd like to name and shame everyone we need to think of the bigger picture. Which is why I'd rather see money spent on the justice system as a whole so the real criminals get the harsh penalties they deserve.

My friend is still in jail after being raped by a girl. It's a long story full of bullpoop but she basicly lied and cryed at court and the judge felt sorry for her and he went to jail. His family is still fighting for him to get free but he's only 22 and his life is pretty much ruined now. His life would be way worse if he had to have a sign infront of his house.

[Gimlion]

I say kill every last rapist and murderer. I have no sympathy for them. They don't deserve to have the same rights that everyone else has. They ruined multiple lives when they decided to act like the lowest form of life I can think of and should be treated as such. I'm so sick of hearing about their rights. They weren't thinking about the victim's rights when they committed their atrocious acts. Nothing our "justice" system does is punishment enough; if you can even call jail time punishment in this country. Computers, television, earning degrees, earning money while "serving time"; it's all bullshit. String 'em up as an example to all!

Normally, I'd start with "I'm sorry", but I'm really not. This is crap. Killing off any potential "problems" makes us no better than criminals. Closure is crap too, honestly. If you cannot get over a crime until the criminal is executed, there is really no closure, just vengeance.

As for the signs, I also strongly disagree with them. A person cannot begin to turn their life around if their surrounding society continuously shames and damns them. I don't believe that progress and rehabilitation are impossible in anyone, and there are many good people now that have made AWFUL mistakes in their pasts. In the US, where these signs are posted, the society is one fundamentally built on mistakes. Not allowing anyone, regardless of the mistake, to choose redemption is so undeniably hypocritical and backwards, I still find it hard how many side on it.

My last statement is a quote I made myself:

If it's true that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, then it is no wonder that the world cannot see what a death for a death will do to us.

People are so corrupt by revenge that they're blind to the problems it will cause.

[AdamSavage]

Gimlion, while I understand you're upset. I don't think we need to start using vulgar language. I know you wanted to get it off your chest, but you can word things a little better in a way that could come across as an attack on the person. I'm not saying you are attacking anyone, just that it could've been worded little better. Clearly this is a sensitive subject for everyone here. Let's try and keep other's opinions and views in mind. They won't always be the same, or we may not agree with them either. Doesn't mean this has to turn into a shouting match either. We are better than that.

Let's try to tone it a couple notches guys.

[Wain]

Yes, please do not make it personal. This is a VERY emotional topic and the only way to discuss it respectfully is to write with your head not your heart. No matter how worked up you are, or how hurt you've been, there is no excuse for unleashing it on others here.

This is also not a forum where we wish people to die, no matter how horrendous they are.

[Eternallylostx]

Yes, please do not make it personal. This is a VERY emotional topic and the only way to discuss it respectfully is to write with your head not your heart. No matter how worked up you are, or how hurt you've been, there is no excuse for unleashing it on others here.

This is also not a forum where we wish people to die, no matter how horrendous they are.

Just popping in to say what wain said basically.

I also disagree with the signs. Just taking this in a homeowner try to sell or have someone rent a house out and one of those signs are, say, next door and people who REALLY like that house have a kid. I bet everyday before and after school, that kid will walk past that sign and feel uncomfortable about it.
I just disagree with the sign idea. That was an example :l

[Gimlion]

Gimlion, while I understand you're upset. I don't think we need to start using vulgar language. I know you wanted to get it off your chest, but you can word things a little better in a way that could come across as an attack on the person. I'm not saying you are attacking anyone, just that it could've been worded little better. Clearly this is a sensitive subject for everyone here. Let's try and keep other's opinions and views in mind. They won't always be the same, or we may not agree with them either. Doesn't mean this has to turn into a shouting match either. We are better than that.

Let's try to tone it a couple notches guys.

I wasn't really as upset as I was/am fed up. I cannot see in any light how killing criminals will do anything but cost money (more than incarceration), and turn us into the people we prosecute. And you're right, I wasn't attacking anyone specifically, but I am attacking the idea, as I find it absurd. I won't attack anyone specifically for their views though; if they wish to have them, it's their God-given right.

I won't say much else, as I'm pretty positive that my point/argument was made, but I can tell you that if these signs start going up elsewhere, there will be much stronger, harsher words said than mine, by all sides. Regardless, it's only one town in the middle of Florida for now, so I'm not too concerned yet.

Views and opinions aside, have a nice day, it's beautiful outside here, and I certainly don't want to debate on a Game Forum with the weather outside like this.

Edit: Cleaned up my original post a bit. Swearing like that was really unprofessional, especially in what was a decently civil discussion.