Predators And Their Signs

“I can’t get away from it. It makes me feel ashamed. My life has been ruined by this.”

Okay, so it’s a paraphrase. The spirit of what was said comes through, though. This person felt like a victim. Like a grievous wrong had been committed against him, and he felt helpless, and hopeless, like his future had been blighted.

I say, too bad. I want you to be uncomfortable, to loose sleep, and to live as if you don’t feel safe. I want you to look over your shoulder ... to be accountable, to feel as if you are being punished ... every day, every moment.

By this point you’re probably wondering what I am referring to. I watched the 20/20 segment about registered sex offenders in Corpus Christi having to place signs in their yards, and in their vehicle windows, and bumper stickers on the back bumpers of their vehicles. These signs are doing a service ... everyone -- adults and children alike -- have the right to know when predators are in their midsts, in their neighborhoods.

The victims of these offenders didn’t have the choice of being sexually assaulted. The victims will --- for the rest of their lives -- carry the debris of what their offenders left them.

I know just how their victims must feel, and wish that they (the victims) could have been forewarned of their (the offenders) perversion. One offender said the sign brought him shame, and he couldn't get away from what he had done ... I have news for him ... his victim can't get away from it either.

Victims should have no internalization of shame. A definition of victim is one who is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment. The victims of these offenders have become the epitome of hardship and mistreatment. If the offenders are feeling shame or embarrassment, then that is how it should be.

It is not enough to convict these predators. Innocent, potential victims must have the ammunition to stay safe. If that means these predators are uncomfortable, that their security is jeopardized, and they don't sleep well, so be it.

It alarms me that after committing their attacks on children, predators are being protected by those who think their civil-rights have been violated. Doing jail or prison time for preying on innocent children is simply not enough. Yard signs and vehicle signs are an excellent source of further identification for those who would defile our children. The offenders should have no rights.

One of the predators said it was the sign and not the crime that made him feel too humiliated to go out. I say if he’s too humiliated to go out, then the sign is doing it’s job ... by way of keeping him in, children are being kept safe from him.

When danger is present, it is expected that warnings should also be present. For example, railroad crossings and trains, drinking and driving, drinking while pregnant, drugs, and, well, you get the idea. It is not inconceivable that innocents should be protected from that which strives to bring them harm.

It’s too bad that Corpus Christi appears to be the only city where sex offenders are required to have danger signs in their yards. Every town, every city, every county, every state should make protecting children from predators such a high priority that signs should begin popping up everywhere. Tell me who to write to. Tell me who to talk to. If it will help, I’ll campaign for it.

Predators - Youth Can Be Cloaked By The Law

This is for parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors, caregivers, people who come in contact with and love children.

Predators don’t wear flashing signs that declare their intentions. Predators don’t even have true criminal profiles. Once the profilers think they know who the predator is, something changes, and they have to change with it. That doesn’t mean the profilers are wrong. It just means the predators are very evil and always evolving.

Would it surprise you to know that predators can be in kindergarten? Or even in your child’s Sunday school class? Of course, these predators would never show up on the national or state registers that are easily accessible. These predators are usually protected by their families because they don’t want the local Child Protective Services to get involved. Usually there are other children in the family the parents don’t want to jeopardize losing.

Once the brain of a predator has been changed, they no longer think like your or me. Their main thought is control of a future victim, how that is going to be accomplished, and what they will do once they get control. If you think it’s any different because of their young age, you’re wrong.

Predators don’t care whether you are kind, compassionate, or understanding. They will use any virtue you have against you. You see, predators are quick to learn the soft spots - what you and I would call virtues.

In fact, predators thrive on our virtues. Why? Because the more virtuous we are the more inclined we are to give the predator a chance, an opportunity to be in our lives, to get close to the people we love.

Who do you love? Why your children of course. The predator has no interest in going after the adults in your life, just your children, the innocent ones who don’t have a voice yet, who don’t know how to verbalize what happens to them. The one’s who are too afraid to rationalize the threats from predators and process them into reality. That’s who the predators want.

I mentioned earlier that predators could be in kindergarten. It’s not as unbelievable as you might think. Actually, when a child has been incested or abused at a very early age, they are more prone to act out at an early age themselves. Kindergarten has a wealth of possible candidates. Playing “doctor” used to be considered a somewhat innocuous activity among children, not anymore.

In this age with all the technology available, it is so important we use wisdom and discernment when it comes to our children. It is more important than ever before that not only you know who your children’s friends are but also their parents.

It would appear that it is even possible when a child has been caught and convicted through the juvenile court and put on the registered sex offender list, that after a period of time, that same predator, due to the age, will be able to get off the list. Does that change the fact that she or he is still a predator? Of course not. It just means the predator can offend under the cloak of the law until they are caught once again.

Here are some links to get you started:
www.missingkids.com
www.ice.gov
www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/states.htm