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Posting #21- ...and you claim to protect the children
(Update- This bill SB372 died in committee) Dear Virginia Delegates and Senators, We certainly hope that our letter regarding this Bill (SB372) is completely unnecessary. However, if you have not had a chance to review proposed Bill SB372, please take the time to review it now, http://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2009/sb372/ For the most part we will let this Bill stand on its own with no excessive editorial. Believe us, when we state the irony is not lost on us that we find ourselves in the position of protecting the children of Virginia that the Sex Offender Laws were meant to protect. Suffice it to say that these laws are passed with the claim that those passing law wish to protect the children, when so clearly this law callously disregards any child at the immature age of twelve as a life not worth living and ensures that at some point they will fail based on a juveniles perspective of right and wrong. Many children will be listed on the registry for errors in judgment that don’t represent any real sexual issues but are horseplay or experimentation. Listing kids on the registry for issues, that while misguided, could have been sexual in nature could be remediated through age-appropriate therapy. This comes on top of the fact that the state of Virginia has already gone further that the Adam Walsh Act (registration for children 14 years and older).To change it from 13 years to 12 years is going too far. How can one state that a person of this age is not mature enough to consent to sex, yet hold another child of the same age culpable for life based on a sexual act? To look at it from the other side, if this bill passes, there may actually be kids who aren’t prosecuted and/or convicted (and consequently don’t get the help they may need). This being due to the local authorities and judges’ hesitancy in convicting and automatically placing a child on a public registry from 15 years to life. Parents may be even more reluctant to report disturbing behavior by their children towards neighborhood kids or siblings. Perhaps you need to be reminded that once listed on the registry a person regardless of what age or the amount of time that has passed since the offense will never be relieved of the burden of being labeled a pervert, a pedophile and a predator. The chance to pursue any semblance of a normal life or maintain gainful employment is practically eliminated. This bill virtually ensures that the child listed on the registry will not even complete a rudimentary education let alone go on to be admitted to higher education and become a contributing member of our society. We find this Bill so preposterous and offensive that we not only ask that you strike it down, but you admonish its author (Senator Richard Stuart) with at least a very simple question. What were you thinking? We need to look at laws not just from what might seem a fashionable stance, but from a long term, end game type of view. Sadly we do realize that it is easier to go the popular route and pass this type of Bill, regardless of the damage ultimately done. Please do not pass SB372 as it serves no positive public purpose. We look forward to your response. Sincerely,
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