Sex offenders younger, more violent

[EV_Ares]

By KIM CURTIS, Associated Press Writer

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By the time you read this, you don't know if it is true or not. There are always other viewpoints, better reporting, draconian laws, more hysteria, etc. I don't know but I would say regardless if it is better awareness, there is more sexual offenses occurring and it does appear that younger offenders are increasing.

What do you think and what do you think is the cause?
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STOCKTON, Calif. - Courts have seen the number of sex offense cases involving juvenile offenders rise dramatically in recent years, an Associated Press review of national statistics found, and treatment professionals say the offenders are getting younger and the crimes more violent.

Some psychologists blame the increase in numbers — 40 percent over two decades — on a society saturated with sex and violence and the fact that many of the accused were themselves victims of adult sexual predators. Others say there aren't more children committing such crimes, simply more awareness, better reporting and a general hysteria about sex offenders.

"I don't think it's appropriate to suggest we have whole schools full of sexual predators ... but we're seeing more of it and more sexually aggressive acts," said Scott Poland, past president of the National Association of School Psychologists. "How do these kids even know about this? It's permeated throughout our society."

Robert Prentky, a psychologist and nationally renowned expert on sex offenders in Bridgewater, Mass., thinks the statistics are misleading.

"There aren't more kids, there are more laws," he said. "We now have fairly draconian laws with very harsh sanctions that apply to juveniles."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070609/ap_on_re_us/youth_sex_offenders;_ylt=Aqo0J88xYGv0I8w4E870lnSs0NUE

[Mojambo]

1. I'm blaming it on Spongebob Rapepants. n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. I wish they stopped tiptoeing around what they really want and just decreed

everybody is born a criminal and owes aleph-infinite dollars to the 0.00001% ruling elite.

[Deja Q]

3. I grew up with some questionable media. You don't see me raping everyone in sight.

Of course, I'm actually civilized and know the difference between real life and fiction; even if fiction calls itself "reality show".

Do we let people parent? We won't let the entire village parent. Nor the school system; mine catered to bullies and essentially said "fuck off and die" to their victims. Businesses won't care, they cater to the dregs of the lot because people buy lots of it...

Of course we can't let people parent; the cost of living forces them to take multiple jobs. And some just shouldn't be parents.

[Iris]

6. Some parts of the article talked about kids who had been victims of sexual abuse themselves.

Suggesting that they were acting out as a result of past experiences. I'd think that is more likely than exposure to questionable media.

But I also can't help but think the 40% increase has more to do with the way these crimes are being prosecuted and how for some reason our culture wants to punish children who commit crimes far more harshly than some of their adult counterparts are punished.

[Edweird]

4. self delete

[juno jones]

5. There is a thread from a few days ago

And there was a story of a kid from Georgia in jail under one of these statutes for having oral sex with his girlfriend. He's 17 and black, she's 15 (a few weeks from 16) and white.


If they had 'gone all the way' instead, it would all be OK under 'Romeo and Juliet' laws.

It's a loop hole that's going to get some kids seriously hurt for being kept ignorant by 'abstinence only' education which leads to a belief that 'third base' is not as bad as home.