My fifth interview (the second one to be televised thus far) aired last night on WWNY in the Northern country region of New York. Watch it here: http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/Feedback-Woman-Fights-for-Rights-Of-Sex-Offenders--Families-147190125.html.
Understanding the 45-minute interview had to be edited significantly to fit into the allotted time slot, I was satisfied with the results. My only caveat was that since Geoff's charge was mentioned, his age at the time of the crime should have been specified, (he was twelve, not "a teenager") and the circumstances under which the crime occurred would have been helpful. Overall, it did as much as a two minute piece could do to detail the day-to-day struggles faced by tens of thousands of families in New York, and hundreds of thousands of families nationwide.
The majority of the comments on WWNY's Facebook page (link: http://www.facebook.com/WWNY7.WNYF28/posts/409096565775456?notif_t=share_reply) displayed a great deal of outrage among viewers. It seems that they heard the term "sex offender" and made up their minds right then and there, rather than actually listening to the heart of the story. Some people went so far as to suggest that families and even children of registrants are fair game merely because they share their home and life with a former offender. Mostly, though, the comments displayed an all-too-common problem: lack of awareness.
As frustrating as it is to be faced with this type of apathy and misguided anger, we have the most important "weapon" of all, as family members and friends of registrants - our lives. Most people admittedly get their "knowledge" of sex crimes from the news media, which as we all know, has exploited the topic of child safety/child sex abuse and molded it into the most fear-provoking, hysterical, anecdotal subject it possibly can be. Much of what is reported is inaccurate or at best, incomplete. By standing up, telling our stories and muddling through the outpouring of hate - we will be heard. They bombard the public with fallacies - bu we can bombard them with truth.
If you love a person enough to stick with them through the nightmare of being on the sex offender registry - whether it be as a mother or father, a wife or husband, a daughter, a son, an aunt or uncle, a grandparent or a friend - that love is strong enough to withstand even the most cruel, angry accusations. You have gotten this far; the only thing left is to show everyone that the love you feel for the registrant in your life is far stronger than all the hate in the world.
I thank you and I thank God for the heart, soul and mind that you have been gifted with. Truly this struggle we share, at it's core is about bringing mankind together and peace on Earth. It is the opposite of hate, evil and fear. It takes great courage to bring light unto the darkness. Thank you oh so very much for choosing to be that light Shana.
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea what it means to me to hear another voice raised in defense of the harmless people caught up in this hysterical frenzy. My son was recently added to that growing number for an act that harmed no one, outraged no one, that did not even involve another person. In twenty-five states ii is not crime. In fifteen others it is a misdemeanor. Even here in Oklahoma, where it is a felony, it is not usually prosecuted. There were also the extenuating circumstances that it happened three years ago and was not repeated, that he had married and moved to another state. Unfortunately my son was caught between the press wanting a story and the D.A. and judge wanting to be re-elected. That they did not consider him a threat was obvious: they did not require him to have therapy, in fact the did not allow him to return to his wife, home, and therapist.
ReplyDeleteI was so astounded that a good person could have his life torn apart in this way, that I began to read up on this whole sexual registration travesty. I do not have to tell you all the reasons why it is arbitrary, oppressive and, worst of all, useless. But most people do not realize the agony the families go through. I started a blog from the perspective of one such mother: putoutofthecamp.blogspot.com. If you get a chance, check it out.
Both of you, thanks for your comments. I'm sorry you've been forced into this life - where evidently, hatred, revenge and intolerance are all justified in the name of "protecting children" - even if children are being hurt in the process. Rest assured, you are not alone, and there are people working on your behalf to achieve the change that is so desperately needed for families all across the country. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime! Shana
ReplyDeleteHi, I also love an offender and we have two children. Little girls. We cannot rent anywhere, He has a room in which he has to sleep at not in a home that he has to pay alot for a month. He has lost two jobs and union ones at that. We keep getting told that we will get approved to live in the same house shortly, but shortly never comes. His girls are young and dont really understand yet, but i fear reality will come soon. He is a tier one offender, consensual romeo and juliet. Not even reported until two years after the fact, and because of jealousy is why his life was ruined. The female came to where he lived and brought the condem. The therapist the state sent him to said he shouldnt even be considered for a sexual offense. I dont know how to begin to fight all of this. Like you I have no problem announcing who I am. How can I begin to do what you do in my area?
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know what's happening to our culture. To say it's okay to attack anyone - even children - because they are associated with an "undesirable" class of people is beyond barbarity. It's as if these hateful personalities typically have nothing at all to lose. They know that if something were to happen to them, it wouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things so they lash out. That's not what this country was supposed to be about. When did we as a culture trade freedom for security (absolute security)?
ReplyDeleteGreetings Shana, my names Christopher Everett. I am currently registered to the New York State Sex Offender Registry. If you would like to have more details of my information/case. Please eMail me themistknight at yahoo.com. I would like to know how you are trying to effect change here in New York. Are you using a lawyer? OR visiting deal with the New York State Assembly on your own? I would like to correspond with you one a regular about my desire to help. If you are using a lawyer and the courts to effect this change, I believe I have away to force the New York Government to recognize the Sex Offender Registry and related laws as a violation of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and is by definition are laws that discriminates. Though these arguments have been in parts argued. I believe that there was not much work done in ensuring the courts, the laws, and the arguer are on the same page with regards to there meanings. All I know I would like to help and if you are wiling to talk about. You have my eMail. I would even be willing to talk over the phone, or I know you have a mic, perhaps we can talk that way. But either way, I wish you luck. AND PRAY with everything I have that your fight bears fruit and all of us offenders get off evil system. Thanks.
ReplyDeletePlease forgive me, but I had to put a fake url in the comment as section.