{note: slight trigger warning. no graphic content, but discussion of sex offense laws & news articles follow}
well. here's a complex issue for ya...
i think we can all agree on the need to protect folks from pedophiles and rapists. but the lack of nuance in some sex offender laws is in need of examination.
for instance, should ALL statutory rape cases be covered, or only those that are actually non-consensual and/or involve a pattern of behavior? cases like this one are popping up all over the country.
"sexting" is another problematic area. by no means are we condoning bullying or saying it's ok for teens to harm each other sexually, but facing the possibility of being labeled a lifelong "sex offender" over the 21st century version of a slambook is, at the very least, extreme.
so, what's the answer?
do we add this to the long list of reasons comprehensive sex education is sorely needed?
are we, as usual, using a sledgehammer to hang a portrait? asking the wrong questions?
if we dealt fully and well with the issue of childhood sexual abuse and abusive behavior in general, how many pedophiles/rapists could we avoid creating?
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