Saturday, March 23, 2013

Facts Matter

It's no secret that Sex Offenders are not well liked. Vigilante groups, those who would take the law into their own hands, are everywhere. One of the most visible is on Facebook, and goes by the telling name of "No Peace For Predators". In their view, all Sex Offenders are predators - and their name gives away their true intentions: to harass, threaten, intimidate, and otherwise make life miserable for anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves on the Registry and in their area of operation. Particularly telling is that their logo is a set of brass knuckles.


So, it was quite interesting when I found this on their Facebook page:


What's this? A link to actual facts about Sex Offenders? Let's investigate and see what's here:


I'm moderately impressed that NPFP would link to actual statistics from credible sources. But, let's go back to the original post: NPFP states that, while the linked site is "a good tool", they're "not too sure about the numbers". In short, even though they found the link and posted it, they don't believe it's true.

Why is that, NPFP? Is it because the facts don't match up with what you've been led to believe? Is it because you feel a bit of a twinge of conscience when you harass someone who poses no danger to anyone?

Notice the comment left by Sabrina Fitzgerald-Ruiz - even in the face of evidence that 94.7% of sex offenders pose no risk for committing another sex crime, despite the fact that 60% of boys and 80% of girls are molested by someone they know and not a stranger on the registry, she and others believe that Sex Offenders cannot be rehabilitated.

If you think that a 5.3% recidivism rate is too high, you're right. It should be 0%, in a perfect world. But we don't live in a perfect world, because if we did, the initial crime would never have happened, which would negate the possibility of recidivism.

But, let's put that recidivism rate in perspective. The State of Tennessee conducted a study in 2009 (story link) that tracked the recidivism rates for DUI, robbery, and rape for the 5 years between 2002 and 2007. Here's what they found:

DUI recidivism - 34% within 6 months of initial arrest
Robbery recidivism - 16% within 6 months of initial arrest
Rape recidivism - 6% within 6 months of initial arrest

Drunk drivers are almost 6 times more likely to drink and drive again, compared to sex offenders committing another crime.

Sabrina Fitzgerald-Ruiz complains about a system that "slaps (offenders) on the wrist, only to be released" again. I submit that she's worried about the wrong group of offenders.

10 comments:

  1. You've used my content without my permission, therefore my attorney will be in contact with you for direct violation.

    Posted on my Facbook profile:

    **PRIVACY NOTICE;warning -any person and/or instition and/or agent of any government structure including but not limited to the united states federal government or canadian government also using or monitering /using this website or any of its associated websites ,you do not have my permission to utilize any of my profile information nor any of the content contained herein including ,but not limited to my photos,and/or the comments made about my photos or any other"picture" art posted on my profile.you are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing,copying,distrubiting,disseminating,or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein.the fore going prohibitations also apply to your employee(s),agent(s),student(s),or any personel under your direct control.the contents of this profile aer private and legally priviledged and confidentual information.To any person, and/or institution, and/or agent, and/or agency, of any governmental structure,who controls using or monitoring this website, Facebook, or any of its associated websites, you do NOT have our permission to utilize any of our profile information, nor any of the content contained here in, including, any and all comments made on postings by members and/or others, along with photos, and/or the comments made about our photos, or any other "picture" art posted on our profiles. You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, and/or taking any other action against us with regard to this profile and the contents herein. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee(s), agent(s), student(s) or any personnel under your direction or control. The contents of this profile are private, legally privileged, and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sabrina!

      I'm not sure if this is supposed to make me tremble with fear, or grovel at your feet begging for forgiveness, so rather than guess, I'll do neither. Why? Because your "content" was posted in an open, public discussion forum. As such speech is public, and not private, you have no claim to copyright. I apologize if having the spotlight thrown upon you is uncomfortable, but then maybe you should think about what you say in a public forum.

      I took a look at your profile, and guess what? Your "privacy notice" isn't visible anywhere on your profile. Even if it was, it wouldn't apply to the NPFP page. So, go right ahead and call your attorney. Please let me know how long he laughs at you, if he ever stops.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
    2. I have every right to my opinion based off my own experiences, your not the first predator that's taken advantage of me. I'm a survivor not a victim!

      P.S. Don't forget to register, so we can spot you on the sex offender list.

      Delete
    3. If you're a survivor, then quit playing the victim role and move on. You have every right to your opinion, but you are responsible for what happens when you express that opinion, so if you don't like having attention called to the stupid things you say, I'd suggest not saying them.

      Delete
    4. Sabrina, when you post something on a public forum, it can be republished under Fair Use. Opinions critical of your views are protected speech. Nice try but the cut and paste internet meme does not cover fair use.

      Delete
  2. By the way, Sabrina, you don't have to worry about me registering. I do what I'm supposed to do. I have for the past 25 years, and will continue to do so. If you don't think that a sex offender can be rehabilitated, you don't know what you're talking about.

    You might have a list to look for me on, but I have one to look for you on. It's called "the internet". After I got home tonight, I spent 5 minutes looking for you on the internet. I found a lot of things. Of course, there's your Facebook page, with all those pictures. Then there's your Pintrest page. And your Twitter (@JustMy2Centz). And an address in Boulder, Colorado. It's amazing what you can find with a simple Google search and a name.

    If that makes you feel uncomfortable, imagine how it makes my wife feel. Imagine how it makes my kids feel. Imagine how it makes my family feel, knowing that my name, picture, vehicle description, and address are out there, prepackaged and waiting for someone with a gun and an agenda to find it.

    Something to think about when you start advocating harming someone. You might not follow through, but your words may inspire someone. And that makes you an accessory to their crime. And just because you have a daughter (or appear to from your pictures) doesn't mean that you're immune from winding up on the wrong side of this list - the recent ongoing case in Florida bears that out.

    After 25 years, I think I've earned trust. I think I've earned my life back.

    ReplyDelete
  3. CO?!��BAHAHAHA!! Best of luck to you and your family! ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sabrina ▼. ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼
      ▼▼▼▼ Feather ▼▼▼▼▼ ▼▼.
      Parker, CO ▼▼▼▼▼-▼▼▼▼

      (303) 955-▼▼▼▼

      Any other questions?

      1. Facebook gave me your name.
      2. Your name in a Google search turned up your Pinterest page.
      3. Your Pinterest page gave me your Twitter.
      4. The little girl in the still-visible cover photo on your Facebook is the same as the little girl in Instagram photos on your Twitter handle. Additionally, the same man visible in pictures with you on Facebook (before you hid them) is also visible in an Instagram picture with her.
      5. Tweets on your Twitter handle are geo-tagged for Parker, CO.
      6. A search for "Sabrina ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼" in Parker, CO turned up the above listing.
      7. Another Sabrina ▼. ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼ is listed in Garden Grove, CA, with a younger age and an earlier date of residency.
      8. Your Facebook shows a Garden Grove group, as well as various groups in the Denver area, confirming that this is you.

      Believe it or not, you are much easier to find than you think.

      My purpose here is not to terrorize or frighten you, but to show you how easy it is for someone who is only slightly motivated to piece together information and find you. Now, imagine that, instead of having to be pieced together, all your information was listed on one website, with a picture and a big target over your head saying "Sex Offender". If you had bothered to read any of my other blog entries instead of having a knee-jerk reaction to being featured in one of them, you'd know that I'm not against the registry. I'm against public access to the registry, for the reasons I've stated.

      This is the last you'll hear from me, unless you choose to respond. Please, put your mind at ease, and know that not only am I no where near you, I'm not the "monster" or "predator" you think I am. You may have meant it to be snarky, but I was sincere when I wished you and your family well.

      Delete
  4. Yes, Sabrina - Colorado. You're from Garden Grove, CA.

    I suppose you could be one of the OTHER Sabrina Fitzgerald-Ruiz's I found, but I don't think any of them would have membership in Facebook groups like "Rocky Mountain Haunters" and "Denver Zombie Crawl", or have pictures of their sunbathing dog mentioning Colorado in the comments. Good try, though - "A" for effort.

    By the way, nice job locking down your Pinterest and Facebook. I can only imagine the frantic scramble to find the privacy controls. You forgot your Twitter, though. And I can still see some of your Facebook stuff. You might want to look into that.

    Anyway, thanks for the well wishes, and the same to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'd like to point out that "Statistics Brain" isn't what I's call a "credible" website. For one, it does not link to the original source material.

    The problem with "raw data," the numbers presented at stat brain for example, mean little without proper interpretation.

    For example, the 5.3% stat. It is the number rearrested for a sex crime within 3 years, according to the US DoJ. But the reconviction rate for the group is only 3.5%. That means nearly a third of the arrests did not lead to conviction-- false allegations, malicious prosecution, and the like.

    Of course this is lost on groups like NPFP. There are a handful of stats to confirm their beliefs, though those studies have been thoroughly debunked.

    ReplyDelete