Vigil

There are those who say that sex offenders deserve the "punishment" of the registry, because they get off free after serving their time, while their victims are "scarred for life". Those people have no idea what they are talking about.

Tonight, I sit in vigil. On this night, so many years ago, something happened that forever altered the course of two lives.

I will not sleep tonight. I can't. I haven't slept on this night for over twenty-five years. I can't sleep, because when I do, I see it happening again. And I am powerless to stop it. In the days and weeks leading up to this night, the nightmares build. I am tortured by them, haunted by actions I cannot prevent. On this night, they reach their peak, and I am at my breaking point.

"They", those who advocate for the registry, say that it is a just "punishment" and compensation for the suffering of the victim.

I say to you that no punishment, no time in prison, no threats can equal the torture I put myself through each and every year.

Halloween Tally

Source: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimdalrympleii/three-trick-or-treaters-were-killed-friday-by-a-hit-and-run

5 children killed

5 children injured 

(Plus 2 adults) 

Thankfully, the police were otherwise occupied by making sure that sex offenders didn't have their lights on or passing out candy, because there were ZERO sexual assaults of children reported for Halloween (just like there is pretty much every Halloween). If the police hadn't been performing that oh so important task, they might have been available to patrol the streets and maybe prevent these tragedies.

The truth is, your child is more likely to be hit by a car than to be sexually assaulted on Halloween. And, if they are sexually assaulted, it's more likely to to happen at the hands of a family member, trusted adult, or a close friend than by the registrant down the street.

Halloween is a night of frights and fears, but the real threat to children isn't the imagined monster on the registry. The real monsters roam the streets in metal boxes, drunk, careless, or inattentive. They lurk inside your house, called "uncle", "dad", or "cousin". And you won't find their names, pictures, or addresses listed on the internet.

Fears based in facts are healthy. Unfounded fears kill.