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But the sex offender laws of this country do NOT protect children — do NOT protect the vast majority of children who are victimized in the HUGE majority by family members and people KNOWN to them. Stranger abductions and random acts of violence against children are the rarest of rarest crimes against children. The media hypes the tiny percent of vilest offenses, exaggerates the threat, and minimizes what goes on every single day in American families and households.

Most victims of CSA (childhood sexual abuse) are family members or familiar friends KNOWN to them. Look at the statistics — the REAL ones — and you will understand what the press and many lawmakers and some devastated parents in the media don’t want the public to know and focus on. GPS ankle braclets, 10 year sentences for child porn found on someone’s computer, or considering the death penalty for child rape makes everyone FEEL better in terms of believing we’re actually protecting children against predators in society. But it does the OPPOSITE, and it sends a message that all men are evil — that no father or uncle or grandpa is capable of having a healthy, non-sexualized, positive relationship with a child — and that long prison sentences & punitive prison settings are going to keep our children safe from harm.

Look at the statistics. The chances of a child being abused or killed go WAY WAY WAY up when a live-in boyfriend or stepparent resides in the home with minor children. Look at THOSE statistics to see some of the TRUE danger to our most sacred and vulnerable little ones. “Stranger danger” is a myth, and I say this as an adult woman who was a victim of CSA myself — and who adopted four siblings, some of whom were victimized by family members sexually as well.

We need justice, and truth, and realism to prevail, in sentencing guidelines, in sex offenders laws, and in providing effective and proven treatment for sex offenders who CAN be helped and turned around when they are faced with the impact of their actions against children in their lives. There are terrific & effective sex offender treatment programs being conducted right now both in AND out of prisons all over this country — that get NO media attention whatsoever — and that never get the support they need to show the hope that is out there for the overwhelming majority of men who find themselves in the criminal justice system facing sex offense crimes & charges.

I know you don’t hear this kind of thing very much — and it’s shameful that the media doesn’t present the fair and balanced truth — not even the networks who “claim” to be “fair and balanced”. It’s time we vote into office those politicians who understand that 75% or more of inmates in this country WILL GET OUT some day, and they must have treatment programs, family support, job & living transitional help upon re-entry into society where the rest of us live.

Instead of destroying the lives of “sex offenders” (for all levels of offenses, not just the ones you read about on the news) by forcing lifetime reporting on Megan’s List so they can’t find housing or jobs or meaningful relationships in their communities, they need support and help that makes SENSE and is REASONABLE.

Are we going to throw away everyone who goes to prison for six months — or one year — or three — or ten — or 20 years? What do they do when they get out? Where do they go? How do we treat them when they do? And what happens to those who get NO help — who leave prison after losing all family connections — getting no treatment — and being given no hope for a new life once they’re released?

Most inmates are coming home. We need to make drastic changes in this country in terms of laws, and sentencing, and treatment, and prison standards, and re-entry programs and facilities. Otherwise — every state will end up like California — thinking the only solution is to build more prisons and warehouse more “convicts”. That is no solution at all.

And yes — I AM a Republican...since you’re wondering.