Bill HB1408 is on the agenda for the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, and I plan to be there to speak out against this awful bill. Please, anyone interested in joining me, if you're in the area, c'mon down! We need as many people as possible to show the represenatives just how bad this law is!
Stand up and fight! This bill, like many others against sex offenders, target our constitutional rights!!! If we don't stop this ~ it won't end with just sex offenders, I assure you!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
An Intimite Perspective
Yesterday, I was forwarded an email from Dr. Lisa Anne Zilney, Ph. D, an Associate Professor in the Department of Justice Studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey.
Dr. Zilney is currently seeking women who are in intimiate relationships with registered sex offenders. She is going to be conducting a study of their experiences while facing a variety of challenges from the criminal justice system to how society treats the sexual offender and those who associate closely with him once he is released from incarceration. The interviews will be entirely confidential to protect the identities of the participants.
If you would like to participate in the study, or for more info, pleave visit: http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com/2011/02/call-for-women-in-intimate.html
I have to admit, I am delightfully surprised that anyone would want to do a study like this, and I appreciate Dr. Zilney's interest greatly. While I do see a LOT of mothers out there advocating for reform of sex offender laws on behalf of their young sons, I see very few wives, fiances and girlfriends stepping up to the plate. Perhaps they are embarrassed. Perhaps the crime occurred while they were in the relationship with their sex offending partner. Perhaps they have a family to protect from vigilantism. Whatever their reasons, there are very few who do speak out and I only did under the umbrella of using a fake name.
It is scary business, and while Romeo and Juliet amendments are being tossed around in legislative sessions all around the country right now, which is great news for all the moms out there; what about the wives, fiances, and girlfriends? Who will listen to them?
A good friend of mine emailed me saying that he was receiving many concerns that Dr. Zilney's study will exclude moms, sisters and daughters. I can totally understand those concerns, but as I said in my response:
I genuinely appreciate Dr. Zilney's interest and I have sent her an email. I do hope she contacts me, because I have a lot to say...
Dr. Zilney is currently seeking women who are in intimiate relationships with registered sex offenders. She is going to be conducting a study of their experiences while facing a variety of challenges from the criminal justice system to how society treats the sexual offender and those who associate closely with him once he is released from incarceration. The interviews will be entirely confidential to protect the identities of the participants.
If you would like to participate in the study, or for more info, pleave visit: http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com/2011/02/call-for-women-in-intimate.html
I have to admit, I am delightfully surprised that anyone would want to do a study like this, and I appreciate Dr. Zilney's interest greatly. While I do see a LOT of mothers out there advocating for reform of sex offender laws on behalf of their young sons, I see very few wives, fiances and girlfriends stepping up to the plate. Perhaps they are embarrassed. Perhaps the crime occurred while they were in the relationship with their sex offending partner. Perhaps they have a family to protect from vigilantism. Whatever their reasons, there are very few who do speak out and I only did under the umbrella of using a fake name.
It is scary business, and while Romeo and Juliet amendments are being tossed around in legislative sessions all around the country right now, which is great news for all the moms out there; what about the wives, fiances, and girlfriends? Who will listen to them?
A good friend of mine emailed me saying that he was receiving many concerns that Dr. Zilney's study will exclude moms, sisters and daughters. I can totally understand those concerns, but as I said in my response:
Well, frankly, I can appreciate Dr. Zilney's interest in wives, fiances and girlfriends. After all, a mother of a sex offender has no choice but to be the offender's mother. But, wives/finaces/girlfriends, they have a choice to be with their offender! And, some at the risk of losing their friends, being ostricized by family, and facing public humiliation and vigilantism. This speaks volumes in regards to how supportive they are when they know - better than anyone - if the offender will ever reoffend. Most wives, fiances or girlfriends would never stay with someone that they considered a danger or a threat to anyone. This is why I was SOOOOO surprised that the ACIC (Arkansas Crime Information Center) never asked ME about my husband, what kind of man he is as a person. No one has the kind of insight into another person better than a spouse. I would think having access to wives, fiances, and girlfriends would be a VERY valuable tool in determining one's level of risk. The fact that they're not using such a valuable resource only shows that their assessments are incomplete and likely inaccurate. They also don't bother to speak with any children living in the home, and I found this astounding! The ACIC makes no effort whatsover to "get to know" the offenders they assess. I personally consider their assessment techniques a big waste of time and consider it a joke.
A mother will likely stand by their sex offender son, REGARDLESS of what kind of person the offender is, from peeping tom to murderer. Very few ever turn their backs on their son. But, if offenders were truly a pervert/pedophile/predator and a risk to society, then I imagine most, if not all, wives/fiances/girlfriends would run for the hills.
I genuinely appreciate Dr. Zilney's interest and I have sent her an email. I do hope she contacts me, because I have a lot to say...
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
My First Visit to the Capitol
Wow, what a day yesterday!
I went to Little Rock and appeared before the house committee to speak against the HB1408 bill targeting level 2 sex offenders. I was accompanied by my daughter, "Charlotte" and my new good friend Robert Combs, of Arkansas Time After Time, the Arkansas Reform Sex Offender Laws group. To our surprise, there were MANY people speaking against this bill, AND not one person spoke in favor of the bill. BUT, still, the house committee passed it.
Makes one go WTF?
Actually, the outcome did not surprise me at all. Not after all my family and I have been through fighting the system before, when there was a stack of evidence supporting our case and not one piece supporting the other side and the judge ruled in their favor anyway. We know fighting these laws is a monumental task as lawmakers are elected into their positions and they don't want to lose votes by appearing to be "soft on sex offenders".
Both Robert and I were given the chance to give our "testimony", which is what they call it when you are a "witness" that signed up to speak for or against a bill. I found it odd that they use church terminology in the capitol building, but I was very grateful for the opportunity to speak. Robert gave his testimony first and then it was my turn. At first, I told my story; a brief description of my family and what we're going through and how this new bill would affect our lives.
When I finished that part, I asked if I had more time, and the Chairman was very gracious and said, "Please, go on", so I continued all the way through every one of my notecards until I was finished. One representative asked me to consider the feelings of victims and I took that opportunity to describe how I, myself, was a victim to child sexual abuse from the age of 12 - 14. I went on to describe how I went to therapy and was able to get past my abuse, face my abuser and forgive him. I said, "I didn't have to spend the rest of my life as a victim and I don't think my husband should spend the rest of his life as a criminal."
Another representative suggested that because my husband's victim was 15 1/2, this new law would not affect me or my family. I then explained that as far as the ACIC (Arkansas Crime Information Center) is concerned, they believe her to be 14, so YES, this new law would affect me and my family.
Even if the law wouldn't affect me, that wouldn't have mattered to me. I was there to speak on the behalf of ALL registered sex offenders, not just my husband.
Regardless of the outcome, it felt GREAT to speak out against something. It felt like I was actually "doing something", my small part in this overwhelming battle to change the sex offender laws in this country. Afterwards, many people came up to me and thanked me for my testimony and I was even approached by a reporter from Channel 4 and another from the Democrat Gazette. I don't know if I'll hear from either one, but I gave them both my contact information.
FoxNews16 was there with a camera and yes, I am on their video: http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Committee-advances-tougher-sex-offender-rules/cJzimcDNekeAcvak8BWbJg.cspx.
You can see me, almost at the very end of the video, but my voice is silenced. :( Oh well! Again, no big surprise... Sigh! Still it's kinda cool ~ two seconds of my 15 minutes of fame, right?
I went up to and thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to speak against the bill. He said, and I quote, "This is a bad law, and I really don't see it making it to the floor." Maybe he knows something I don't, but that response surprised me.
After the session, Charlotte, Robert and I enjoyed touring the capitol building and I took several photos. Robert asked if he could treat us to lunch and we accepted. We left the building and went back to my car to leave, only to discover one of my tires was flat.
Without hesitation Robert removed his coat and changed my tire. What a gentleman! I told him he earned himself a free copy of my book. We then dropped the tire off at a local service station to be repaired while we went to lunch. We went to the Community Bakery and enjoyed a lovely lunch. Robert told us that the Community Bakery employs mostly ex offenders and donates their unsold food to local homeless shelters. I was VERY impressed! I will definitely make more of an effort to patronize them whenever I return to Little Rock.
When we returned to the service station to have the tire put back on the car, we were told that the tire was not repairable; that the puncture was on the side of the tire. I wound up having to take it to a Walmart in Little Rock to have it replaced since it was still under warranty from when I purchased new tires last summer.
Since I was in Little Rock much later than planned, I wound up having dinner with my other daughter, "Julia", which was a real treat! I was delighted that I was able to see both my older daughters yesterday. Julia had to work all day and was unable to go to the session with us. Maybe next time?
On the ride home, I went over the events of the day in my mind, and I got to contemplating about the flat tire. I had driven two hours to Little Rock and around town for quite some time before arriving at the capitol without any incident. Was that just a coincidence or did someone slash my tire? It is possible. I do know that there are a lot of people out there that do not like people like me and will go to great lengths to stop us.
I'm here to say that I am in this through to the very end!
I went to Little Rock and appeared before the house committee to speak against the HB1408 bill targeting level 2 sex offenders. I was accompanied by my daughter, "Charlotte" and my new good friend Robert Combs, of Arkansas Time After Time, the Arkansas Reform Sex Offender Laws group. To our surprise, there were MANY people speaking against this bill, AND not one person spoke in favor of the bill. BUT, still, the house committee passed it.
Makes one go WTF?
Actually, the outcome did not surprise me at all. Not after all my family and I have been through fighting the system before, when there was a stack of evidence supporting our case and not one piece supporting the other side and the judge ruled in their favor anyway. We know fighting these laws is a monumental task as lawmakers are elected into their positions and they don't want to lose votes by appearing to be "soft on sex offenders".
Both Robert and I were given the chance to give our "testimony", which is what they call it when you are a "witness" that signed up to speak for or against a bill. I found it odd that they use church terminology in the capitol building, but I was very grateful for the opportunity to speak. Robert gave his testimony first and then it was my turn. At first, I told my story; a brief description of my family and what we're going through and how this new bill would affect our lives.
When I finished that part, I asked if I had more time, and the Chairman was very gracious and said, "Please, go on", so I continued all the way through every one of my notecards until I was finished. One representative asked me to consider the feelings of victims and I took that opportunity to describe how I, myself, was a victim to child sexual abuse from the age of 12 - 14. I went on to describe how I went to therapy and was able to get past my abuse, face my abuser and forgive him. I said, "I didn't have to spend the rest of my life as a victim and I don't think my husband should spend the rest of his life as a criminal."
Another representative suggested that because my husband's victim was 15 1/2, this new law would not affect me or my family. I then explained that as far as the ACIC (Arkansas Crime Information Center) is concerned, they believe her to be 14, so YES, this new law would affect me and my family.
Even if the law wouldn't affect me, that wouldn't have mattered to me. I was there to speak on the behalf of ALL registered sex offenders, not just my husband.
Regardless of the outcome, it felt GREAT to speak out against something. It felt like I was actually "doing something", my small part in this overwhelming battle to change the sex offender laws in this country. Afterwards, many people came up to me and thanked me for my testimony and I was even approached by a reporter from Channel 4 and another from the Democrat Gazette. I don't know if I'll hear from either one, but I gave them both my contact information.
FoxNews16 was there with a camera and yes, I am on their video: http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Committee-advances-tougher-sex-offender-rules/cJzimcDNekeAcvak8BWbJg.cspx.
You can see me, almost at the very end of the video, but my voice is silenced. :( Oh well! Again, no big surprise... Sigh! Still it's kinda cool ~ two seconds of my 15 minutes of fame, right?
I went up to and thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to speak against the bill. He said, and I quote, "This is a bad law, and I really don't see it making it to the floor." Maybe he knows something I don't, but that response surprised me.
After the session, Charlotte, Robert and I enjoyed touring the capitol building and I took several photos. Robert asked if he could treat us to lunch and we accepted. We left the building and went back to my car to leave, only to discover one of my tires was flat.
Without hesitation Robert removed his coat and changed my tire. What a gentleman! I told him he earned himself a free copy of my book. We then dropped the tire off at a local service station to be repaired while we went to lunch. We went to the Community Bakery and enjoyed a lovely lunch. Robert told us that the Community Bakery employs mostly ex offenders and donates their unsold food to local homeless shelters. I was VERY impressed! I will definitely make more of an effort to patronize them whenever I return to Little Rock.
When we returned to the service station to have the tire put back on the car, we were told that the tire was not repairable; that the puncture was on the side of the tire. I wound up having to take it to a Walmart in Little Rock to have it replaced since it was still under warranty from when I purchased new tires last summer.
Since I was in Little Rock much later than planned, I wound up having dinner with my other daughter, "Julia", which was a real treat! I was delighted that I was able to see both my older daughters yesterday. Julia had to work all day and was unable to go to the session with us. Maybe next time?
On the ride home, I went over the events of the day in my mind, and I got to contemplating about the flat tire. I had driven two hours to Little Rock and around town for quite some time before arriving at the capitol without any incident. Was that just a coincidence or did someone slash my tire? It is possible. I do know that there are a lot of people out there that do not like people like me and will go to great lengths to stop us.
I'm here to say that I am in this through to the very end!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
New Bills in Arkansas Legislation Targeting Sex Offenders
There are currently a number of bills being presented in Arkansas legislation targeting sex offenders.
HB1015: AN ACT TO MANDATE AN ADDITIONAL FINE FOR ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF A FELONY SEX OFFENSE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
HB1230: AN ACT CONCERNING A FINE ASSESSED PERSONS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDERS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
HB1243: AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE SEX OFFENDER ADDRESS LATE VERIFICATION FEE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
The issue I have with this bill is charging sex offenders late fees for being late with their registration, but what if the offender is in the hospital or out of state on a family emergency or something? There should at least be a clause in there stating that the fees will be waived if the offender or the offender's family can show evidence that the offender was unable to register in time. Hey, things happen... What if his car is in the shop and there is no other means of transportation? What if he HAS TO WORK or risk losing his job?
HB1278: AN ACT REGARDING SEX OFFENDER VERIFICATION, EMAIL ADDRESSES, AND INTERNET IDENTITIES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
This targets computer users, and if they have to have this restriction, then at the very least, perhaps this should ONLY apply to users who's crimes were computer related, and for a limited time (5 years maybe).
HB1406: TO AMEND THE PROCEDURES FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL OF A SEX OFFENDER ASSESSMENT OF A SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR.
HB1407: TO REQUIRE CERTAIN PERSONS TO REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT KNOWLEDGE THAT ANOTHER PERSON IS IN POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ON A COMPUTER.
HB1408: AN ACT TO PROHIBIT LEVEL 2 SEX OFFENDERS FROM LIVING WITHIN TWO THOUSAND FEET FROM A SCHOOL, PUBLIC PARK, YOUTH CENTER, OR DAYCARE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Oh boy, residency restrictions for more offenders! Arkansas already has a law prohibiting level 3 and level 4 offenders from residing within 2000 feet of any schools, public parks, youth centers or daycare centers.
Tomorrow (Monday, February 21, 2011) the Arkansas RSOL representative is scheduled to testify against 5 bills in the Senate Judiciary Committee and on Tuesday, a group of us are going to the House Judiciary Committee to participate in a toure-de-force of testifying against some truly damaging legislation.
We are asking anyone who is able to come join us in speaking up against these bills!
HB1015: AN ACT TO MANDATE AN ADDITIONAL FINE FOR ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF A FELONY SEX OFFENSE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
HB1230: AN ACT CONCERNING A FINE ASSESSED PERSONS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDERS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
HB1243: AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE SEX OFFENDER ADDRESS LATE VERIFICATION FEE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
The issue I have with this bill is charging sex offenders late fees for being late with their registration, but what if the offender is in the hospital or out of state on a family emergency or something? There should at least be a clause in there stating that the fees will be waived if the offender or the offender's family can show evidence that the offender was unable to register in time. Hey, things happen... What if his car is in the shop and there is no other means of transportation? What if he HAS TO WORK or risk losing his job?
HB1278: AN ACT REGARDING SEX OFFENDER VERIFICATION, EMAIL ADDRESSES, AND INTERNET IDENTITIES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
This targets computer users, and if they have to have this restriction, then at the very least, perhaps this should ONLY apply to users who's crimes were computer related, and for a limited time (5 years maybe).
HB1406: TO AMEND THE PROCEDURES FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL OF A SEX OFFENDER ASSESSMENT OF A SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR.
HB1407: TO REQUIRE CERTAIN PERSONS TO REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT KNOWLEDGE THAT ANOTHER PERSON IS IN POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ON A COMPUTER.
HB1408: AN ACT TO PROHIBIT LEVEL 2 SEX OFFENDERS FROM LIVING WITHIN TWO THOUSAND FEET FROM A SCHOOL, PUBLIC PARK, YOUTH CENTER, OR DAYCARE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Oh boy, residency restrictions for more offenders! Arkansas already has a law prohibiting level 3 and level 4 offenders from residing within 2000 feet of any schools, public parks, youth centers or daycare centers.
Tomorrow (Monday, February 21, 2011) the Arkansas RSOL representative is scheduled to testify against 5 bills in the Senate Judiciary Committee and on Tuesday, a group of us are going to the House Judiciary Committee to participate in a toure-de-force of testifying against some truly damaging legislation.
We are asking anyone who is able to come join us in speaking up against these bills!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
AWA Hearing in D.C.
To all and anyone who donated funds for our SOSEN representatives to attend the AWA hearing in D.C. yesterday - THANK YOU!!!
I understand that the hearing did not fare well for sex offenders and their families, BUT at least there was representation from the other side, and that was important. Rome wasn't built in a day, and every step we make is another step towards progress.
I understand that the hearing did not fare well for sex offenders and their families, BUT at least there was representation from the other side, and that was important. Rome wasn't built in a day, and every step we make is another step towards progress.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
SOSEN needs your help NOW!
SOSEN needs your help!
Next week, there will be a hearing in D.C. on the Adam Walsh Act. It is critical that SOSEN has a presence at this hearing. Mary Duval, SOSEN's, CEO, has been approached by CNN to meet with them at the hearing. Mary has already secured lodging but still needs to raise funds to cover the air fare.
PLEASE, if you can help, send your donation via Paypal or by mail.
To send a donation via Paypal, please send it to: sosentreasurer@gmail.com
Please click on the "personal" tab and select the "gift" option, and no Paypal fees will be deducted from your donation.
To mail your donation, send it to:
SOSEN, Inc
c/o Mary Duval
P.O. Box 1128
Stilwell, Ok. 74960
Thank you!
Next week, there will be a hearing in D.C. on the Adam Walsh Act. It is critical that SOSEN has a presence at this hearing. Mary Duval, SOSEN's, CEO, has been approached by CNN to meet with them at the hearing. Mary has already secured lodging but still needs to raise funds to cover the air fare.
PLEASE, if you can help, send your donation via Paypal or by mail.
To send a donation via Paypal, please send it to: sosentreasurer@gmail.com
Please click on the "personal" tab and select the "gift" option, and no Paypal fees will be deducted from your donation.
To mail your donation, send it to:
SOSEN, Inc
c/o Mary Duval
P.O. Box 1128
Stilwell, Ok. 74960
Thank you!
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