New Zealand considers castration for sex fiends

Australian Broadcasting Company ^ | January 11 2004 | AFP

[knighthawk]

New Zealand is considering the chemical castration of paedophiles, Justice Minister Phil Goff was reported saying on Sunday, although government papers show officials are divided on the idea and psychiatrists warned it may not be the ultimate cure.

"At this stage more research needs to be done, but my position is that we must protect the rights of the most vulnerable members of society, our children," Mr Goff told the Sunday Star Times.

Mr Goff said he has asked justice officials to study a scheme begun in Oregon four years ago.

The treatment would see child sex offenders forced to take libido-reducing drugs when freed from prison.

Mr Goff said more information was required on the scheme, particularly on the suitability of the drugs and confirmation it reduced re-offending.

"We're not going to close the door on this idea because it relates to the vital element of public safety."

Cabinet papers obtained by the newspaper show government departments are divided over the proposal amid fears it may breach the Bill of Rights and medical ethics.

Officials warned that mandatory drug use is no guarantee paedophiles will not re-offend, and there remained the possibility of sex offenders suing the government for the drug's side effects.

Doctors also said the drugs could not be forced on paedophiles.

Forensic psychiatrist Sandy Simpson said ethical codes prohibited giving drugs to a patient that were not clearly beneficial.

"You'd be giving these drugs for the benefit of other people, not directly for the benefit of the offenders themselves," he said.

[knighthawk]

Ping

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[BigWaveBetty]

From Bill Clinton's memo pad.

Memo to self:

DO NOT visit NEW ZEALAND!!

[ml/nj]

Why just for sex fiends?

I can never understand why when someone robs or murders, I become responsible for his food, clothing, and shelter. (Not to mention his gym and law library.) Send 'em back to the 'hood singing soprano and watch crime rates plummet.

ML/NJ

[jigsaw]

George Bush offers New Zealand Ambassadorship to Bill Clinton.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I love it when a plan comes together like that.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

It doesn't work. They simply move on to using objects as their weapon.

Kill them. They can't be rehabilitated.
The death penalty drops the recidivism rate to zero.

[Maigrey]

You'd be giving these drugs for the benefit of other people, not directly for the benefit of the offenders themselves," he said.

Well, if I caught a ped doing anything to any of my kids, he's be in a serious world of hurt, and the last thing he's beg for is being able to take meds.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Great idea as long as they forget the chemical part. I've advocated the execution of all convicted sex offenders for years, but the average person shrinks from permanent fixes to extreme problems so castration is a decent interim step.

Of course I also advocate executions for anyone who commits an unprovoked act of violence against anyone that results in physical harm, not just sexual assault.

Extremist? Absolutely.

[Bringbackthedraft]

Penalty should be death by minature guillotine of little head.

[waterstraat]

In order to work, the testicles AND the penis should be cut off, including the nerves cut in that area. This is not a
"major" medical operation - not that hard at all to do really, and are not needed for urination. All(male) convicted serious sex offendors should have this done to them, and I mean in the United States. I believe it would significantly reduce repeat crimes.

[joesnuffy]

Forget chemicals...use those Tasmanian devils

[sgtbono2002]

I say cut off the Testicles , place them in their mouth and sew their mouth shut, works every time.

[pttttt]

"...sex fiends"

There's a quaint expression. When's the last time you heard or saw "sex fiend" in print? And there were plenty of opportunities in the Clinton years.

[hershey]

My Cambridge educated, elite-Euro-minded liberal son is a college psych. prof in NZ and has been working with prison authorities about incarcerated pedophiles -- what to do with them, what works, doesn't, etc.. He and another prof have written two books on the subject, butI don't know what his opinion of chemical castration is, though. The problem is, naturally, how to make them keep taking the meds. once they're out on parole. He's told me that society has to stop the abuse and molestation by the age of eight or so, or it's too late. Since the abuse foments great anger, when frustrated, kids turn around and do the same thing to others, usually those vulnerable and younger. It's hideous.

[SouthernFreebird]

New Zealand considers castration for sex fiends

Preferably with a rusted dull kknife....

[shaggy eel]

,,, thanx for the "ping". I think chemical castration is too humane for these offenders.