Andrew Vachss discusses Megan's Law and child-abuser treatment

In this excerpt from the Family of Choice webcast (01/14/2009), author and children's attorney Andrew Vachss discusses the problems with sex-offender registrations, Megan's Law, and the civil commitment of child abusers. [Q21]

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Andrew
• Vachss
• Megan's
• Law
• sex-offender
• registration
• treatment
• civil
• commitment
• laws

[burkesdogpansy]

It used to be, there was no such thing as civil commitment, teak43. Used to be, there was no such thing as a life sentence, either. Or Megan's Law. These things were created as solutions to problems. What Vachss is saying is that civil commitment *isn't* a solution, and we need a different one. As for the standards of civil commitment vs. insanity ... you don't need the same standard, all you need is the introduction of a connection, and that's what this does.

[SexOffenderIssues002]

Over half are missing? You are full of crap!!!!

[burkesdogpansy]

@SexOffenderIssues002 How would you know? You freaks all keep in touch once we let you go?

[anutuk]

Very good discussion here. The example of there being no people who are in sex offender recovery classes of their own accord is an interesting point. It does sound like it's the case. But, I have not had any experiences with such classes so I don't know if that's true. And, if it is, is it possible that such persons don't want to go because of the social ramifications of being seen at such meetings?

[teak43]

I'm not sure Vachss' arguments hold water. Child molesters *don't* get life sentences--that's just the reality. So it's not a choice between life sentences and civil commitments, it's a choice between normal sentences and normal sentences plus civil commitments. And the standard for civil commitment is not the same as the standard for the insanity defense--they're determined differently. Insanity defenses are usually defined much more tightly.

[whooRYouu]

I enjoyed Vachss' interview and he made some very good points regarding Megan's Law and rehabilitation. While I am one of the people who very much cares where a sex offender lives, the realty is as Vachss says: It isn't very likely that an offender will care about sex offender registration when he or she doesn't doesn't care about the damage that raping a child will no doubt bring.

[anutuk]

That's nice of you for sharing honor with me. I pray that you're protected always from rapists.

[burkesdogpansy]

Someone who is burdened by a brain injury and dissociative identity disorder and still makes the proper choices in life is the kind of person who should be honored. Someone who rapes children is the kind of person who should be separated from the rest of us.

[anutuk]

That might be true most of the time. But, I'm reluctant to make blanket statements like that, myself. I'm disabled with a brain injury and dissociative identity disorder. Many people would label me as incapable of doing anything if they knew of my traumatic experiences. But, I invest much energy and faith in my potential to do things. This is why I don't like blanket statements. Also, love for my abuser has been the greatest thing for my survival. I suffered more when I hated an abuser.

[burkesdogpansy]

Then I'll just add one more point, anutuk: Child sex abusers spend time and energy covering their actions because they want to continue abusing children. If they are caught, they are less likely to be able to continue abusing children. In prison, they don't have access to children.