144 replies to this topic

[supermom]

Yes, I do believe that people are born as pedophiles. This group tends to show signs as abusers as early as 8 years old.
I also believe people become pedophiles as a result of life experiences that most people would consider traumatic and even evil. This group usually shows a propensity to become abusers as teenagers or young adults.
I also believe there is a group of people who become pedophiles as a result of mental psychosis-which begins showing development in teenagers and usually is necessary to begin medication treatments--around 17-25 year olds. This group has a high percentage probability of being male, and having prior history of trying out different types of drugs. Whereas their peers think it is dabbling or "trying stuff out", for this group it is usually a form of self-medication to avoid exposing their change in mental health status ( it is a frightening period in their lives as they begin to change, especially if it is not caught and maintained with medications).

[Folsomdad]

I was out of town for a couple of days and followed this while on the road. I know there are a lot of opinions...so I will add one more. Everybody on this forum seems to want the same thing, to protect our children. There are definitely some unique ideas being tossed around about how best to do that.

There is a difference between being safe and being compliant. Completing "background checks" and compiling with government standards and regulations are part of doing business, any business from a volunteer organization to the government must..its about risk management. Its extremely unlikely to "catch" a pedophile in a background check...but you would destroy your organization if hired a convicted criminal and hadn't complied with the standards.

Keeping your organization, friends and most importantly your family safe requires skills that are much more subtle. We have to continue to talk to each other, watch for the unusual behavior and do something about it when/if we see anything. It appears that this young swim coach deceived a lot of people in the community before he was caught. He was not the first person to fool us...and he won't be the last. We have to stick together and keep our community strong and safe...let the government watch over compliance...I'll watch over my neighborhood.

[SacKen]

You just proved my entire point--thank you very much.
...

Actually, no I didn't. Background checks do not do anything to smoke out their intentions, as I was referring to. Age restrictions also do nothing. There is no magical age where all of a sudden we are "in the clear". It is possible that the person was able to restrain their thoughts and desires for decades then, for whatever reason, decided to act. It is also quite possible that they are just never caught by the time your magical age comes around.

This all said, I do agree there there should be a basic criminal background check. I think I let this point get lost in the nonsense. A known offender or criminal of any type should definitely be weeded out and can be done with minimal effort and cost. However, this should not be seen as some magical cure to the problem and should in no way affect the diligence in keeping an eye on people, educating your children, and funding the task force that smokes these people out of their holes.

[SacKen]

I love working with children, and while I would submit to background checks (and I have many times), I don't like it. The presumption of guilt is rampant. That is one of the reasons I stopped coaching. My son is grown, and I didn't like having to feel guarded all the time. "Why is this guy coaching? We have to keep an eye out... Is that inappropriate touching?" Etc, etc. Even as team photographer (and I am very good at capturing sports photos), there is still the question of "Is there something odd that he likes to take pictures of children" in some parents minds.
In the end, kids lose out on a coach and photographer because I don't want to be looking over my shoulder and analyzing if every action can be misconstrued. Not to mention the risk of just ONE benign action being distorted into something it's not and basically ruining your life. Once the accusation is made, there is no going back to a "normal" life, even if completely innocent.
teach your children to be on guard. Teach them what is appropriate. Be vigilant. But also be aware of the costs to society of going overboard (zero touch policies, 6 year olds being prosecuted for sexual abuse, etc).
Heck, my mom just retired, and at her retirement party, she was afraid to hug people because that was strictly verbotten. She did anyway (what were they going to do, fire her?) Is that the kind of society you want to live in? I don't.

I hear that! I get dirty looks at the park from all the moms if I am there alone with my son. The same goes for taking pictures of my son at the park. I have to make grand gestures to make it obvious that I am photographing my son and not perving over all the other kids out there. Especially at places like the park off of Sophia (?) that has a water feature next to it, hence children in swimsuits. It's sad, too. There are often some really good shots I could take that would have other kids in it (and actually add to the shot in a positive manner) that I don't take because I don't want someone mouth-breather calling the cops.

[bordercolliefan]

Is it true that most pedophiles were abused as children themselves?

It does make you wonder how Eric Johnston became this way.

It must be devastating for his parents.

[supermom]

I have heard a good deal of convincing information that pedophilia can be learned; however I have also heard that pedophilia can be an inherently sexual/pysochological need. as well.

I have even heard comparisons of pedophilia and homosexuality (non-biological or learned homosexuality) as being classified as a societally taught trait. (society allowed the abuse- the abuse became accepted behavior, the accepted behavior became a role model).

There are plenty of theories.

[s0479]

Is it true that most pedophiles were abused as children themselves?

It does make you wonder how Eric Johnston became this way.

It must be devastating for his parents.

I've been out of town for a number of weeks and just saw this....my daughter was on the team for many years including time with Eric. I also worked with and considered his mother a friend. I can't even imagine how devastated she must be......

[supermom]

Just out of curiousity- how long can the feds hold someone as a fed hold, without a court date?

If Eric Johnston was arrested on the 18th, shouldn't he have been given a preliminary hearing by now?

[supermom]

Haven't you heard? The Feds can hold anybody they want for as long as they want without any reason whatsoever. You can thank Homeland Security for that.

I was under the understanding that someone can only be held for an indeterminate time before a conviction if they are (1) non citizen and under terrorist charges and their country of origin is unwilling to assist in prosecution of to take individual back to their country after end of sentence.

For american citizens not under terrorist charges: I thought there was a time limit to formal charges read and then transfer to a federal holding site.

I certainly thought the county jail would be upset at holding federal (holds) in the jail for an undetermined amount of time if it takes a bed away from a county or state prisoner.

[cw68]

You'd be surprised at how long people are held.

My friend wrote about her experience in this book, Long Way Home by Laura Caldwell http://www.amazon.co...aw/d/B003L7870E where a 19-year old spent five years and eight months in prison without a trial.

[swmr545]

Just out of curiousity- how long can the feds hold someone as a fed hold, without a court date?

If Eric Johnston was arrested on the 18th, shouldn't he have been given a preliminary hearing by now?

He had a hearing in which bail was denied and he was to be back in court July 3rd. Local news hasn't reported since then.

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=198042

[supermom]

He had a hearing in which bail was denied and he was to be back in court July 3rd. Local news hasn't reported since then.

http://www.news10.ne...?storyid=198042

I was looking at the Sheriff report for jailed/in-custody. It says there is no court dates set at this time.

[25or6to4]

I was looking at the Sheriff report for jailed/in-custody. It says there is no court dates set at this time.

Our Judicial system has long ignored the 6th ammendment to the constitution.

Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and rights of the accused; Confrontation Clause, speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

The judicial system has no concept of "speedy". Have you been disillusioned in thinking our government pays attention to the constitution? Unfortunately, Americans won't wake up until it is too late, oh wait, it's already too late. We have already been completely screwed out of our rights and they keep on whittiling away at them more and more.