I
have been a RSO since 1991, at which time I sought help through a therapist for
inappropriate behavior I had engaged in with my stepdaughter. As a result of counseling
with my therapist (for 3 years) I was able to understand the generational nature
of incestuous behavior. Yes, like many RSOs I was molested as a child. In my case
my mother was the perpetrator. I had learned as a child that sex was "love."
As a result of the "confidential" counseling sessions, the therapist was
"required" by law to report my past behavior to the State. Simultaneous to the
therapist notifying the State regarding my behavior he suggested that I step forward
and freely disclose the nature of my offense to the local police department. Which
I did. Subsequently, I received 180 days local jail time with 5 years probation.
After my time served I had assumed I would be able to get on with my life and
chalk up my mistake to experience. WRONG. Since the enactment of Megan's
Law in California on September 25th, 1996, hysteria has swept across our State.
The resulting discrimination and retribution have often times brought me to the
brink of hopelessness. Although I am not aware of any survey I would assume that
suicide among RSOs is disproportionately high. Here are some examples as to why...
In 1996 I received "just one more visit" from the Child Protective
Services to my home. The official was accompanied by a uniformed policeman and
was accusing me of housing a minor child. The official was very demeaning in her
accusations, called me a liar and threatened to throw me in jail. This official
did not end her fanatical behavior until I indicated that unless she had a warrant
for my arrest she could leave the house. Which she did, reluctantly. Since
the enactment of Megan's Law I have experienced people driving by my residence,
slowing down and pointing at the building. Just coincidence? On one occasion I
was walking down the street with my daughter when a neighbor started screaming
out, "Child Molester! Child Molester!" The humiliation this brought upon myself
and my daughter cannot be expressed. In my community we have the good
pleasure of uniformed police officers making random visits to the home just to
"check up" on RSOs. This despite the fact that my probation was completed some
eight years ago. The invasion of privacy this has caused and the resulting animosity
from neighbors is unreal. One time when I was making my annual registration
I asked the detective why we used this "system." He informed me that it had been
used in communist Russia for over 18 years quite successfully. Now there's a fine
example! Another detective told me that if he could have it his way he would put
posters of RSOs up all over town! Well, after several years of depression,
I realized that I had to do something extraordinary to prove to others that I
was not a monster. I accepted Christ as my Savior and became very active in the
church and in the recovery community. I organized a Red Ribbon Day event at my
church, to help educate the public about solutions to the problems of alcohol
and drug abuse. I invited keynote speakers from Alcoholics Anonymous, the School
District, the Police Department Canine Unit, the Fire Department, the Park and
Recreations Department, Doctors, Nurses, County Substance Abuse personnel... and
several bands. You get the picture. One week prior to the event the Police Chief
notified my church that I was a RSO. This the church already knew. The Chief then
sent out letters to all county and city departments that had made commitments
notifying them of my registration status and informing them that the Police Department
would neither attend nor support the event and encouraged these other agencies
to do likewise. They fell like dominoes. The church had to go to the local newspaper
and pull articles that were due to go to press. The pastor and church leaders
had to visit the Police Department to call for peace. Then to add injury to insult,
the Chief informed the pastor that he had to make a public announcement pertaining
to my registration status to the church congregation so everybody understood who
I was!!! This the pastor did, as my wife and I stood beside him. Talk about humiliation!!!
Public humiliation, my friends, is the tactic of tyrants! You see,
no good thing can come from a RSO! We have been classified and categorized as
the scum of society. We are the ultimate danger of a democracy. Ah... America.
The land of the free and the brave. But, we are neither free, nor brave. We live
in a police state, where one mistake will cost you your freedom. I do not understand
how RSOs are more of a threat to society than drunk drivers or a host of other
"criminals." Yet, we are the only ones who must register... FOR LIFE. This
system is intolerable and does not provide an environment where those who are
inclined to inappropriate sexual behavior would ever be inclined to seek help.
The consequences of freely disclosing one's mistakes are without mercy. The Megan
mentality only leads to deeper denial, darker lies, and more abuse. Registration
does not stop sex crimes, it only invokes a lifetime punishment upon those who
have transgressed. The vast majority of offenders are not those who are registered...
but those who have not. They are your neighbors, your family and your friends.
Legislation must be passed that will encourage the rehabilitation of offenders
with a plan to reintegrate them back into society so those who need help can get
help, otherwise the problem will only perpetuate itself. Today, I am
tired of hiding. I tell the world, I AM A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER. I have nothing
to hide. I have paid a great price for my mistake. If WE are to survive this assault
upon our dignity we must UNITE for our common welfare and emancipation! Support
SOHOPEFUL!!! Organize! Stand up for your civil rights... among which are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness! --B
California Registered Sex
Offender | 
