The article "Sexual predators pose tough problem"
was excellent. I applaud the governor for focusing on this issue and want
to strongly endorse the findings of the committee led by Judge Jack
Guedalia.
According to your article only 68 of the 7,200 registered sex offenders
in South Carolina have been classified as sexual predators. Even more
important, these 7,200 do not include the large group of sexual offenders
who are never identified or who, when identified, are not held accountable
for their sexual crimes. Sex offender registries rely on the honor system.
As seen recently in Florida, any system that depends on the compliance
of the offenders themselves is flawed from the beginning. It is a system
that may give us an unrealistic sense of safety.
What readers may not realize is that two-thirds of the reported sexual
assault cases in the United States involve child victims. The impact of
this crime against children can be devastating to the child, the family
and the community.
Child victims are more likely to experience school failure, early
pregnancy, delinquency, suicide, substance abuse, and social and emotional
problems. These problems often negatively impact the victim's entire life.
Yet, when a child reports being the victim of a sex offender, society's
response seldom reflects the seriousness of this crime. In fact, the crime
of child sexual assault is often weakened by labeling it abuse.
We cloud the issue by being unclear if it is a crime or a family
problem. Some law enforcement jurisdictions have special divisions to deal
with crimes committed by children but not for crimes AGAINST children.
When a child sexual-assault case is accepted for prosecution by law
enforcement, it seldom goes to court. South Carolina is one of only seven
states that has no hearsay exception for children in criminal court.
For three years in a row, children advocates in South Carolina have
introduced hearsay legislation that would remedy this problem, but our
legislators have failed to support this issue that could strengthen the
system's ability to protect our children. In the rare cases that an
offender actually goes to court and is found guilty, the sentence, with
few exceptions, does not reflect the seriousness of the crime.
Recently in our community, we have seen harsher sentences for
individuals who harm animals than for those who harm children. Crimes
against property or other adults seem to be taken more seriously than
sexual crimes against a child.
None of these are simple issues nor are there simple solutions. The
recommendations from Judge Guedalia's committee can be a beginning, but
recommendations do not protect children. We must act.
In our community under the leadership of an assistant solicitor, we
have accepted standards for treatment of sex offenders that could be
translated into state certification.
Sen. Michael Fair, R-Greenville, has proposed legislation increasing
prison sentences, expanding the list of crimes to be considered under the
predator act and limiting plea agreements that let offenders avoid the sex
offender registry. It requires that our legislators get serious about this
crime and take action in the best interest of children.
But having the sexual predator legislation is not enough. Having a
sex-offender registry is not enough.
We say we value our children. We must translate that value into action,
which will require time, work, money and courage. It will require that we
prioritize child safety and well being. To do less is unacceptable.
M. ELIZABETH RALSTON, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center
1061 King St.