http://karenrayne.com/2007/08/08/adolescent-sex-offenders-part-2-social-and-psychological-implications/ Thu, 17 May 2012 22:53:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 http://karenrayne.com/2007/08/08/adolescent-sex-offenders-part-2-social-and-psychological-implications/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Dorian Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:38:00 +0000 http://karenrayne.com/?p=119#comment-172 I think this question actually points to an issue that I find troublesome in the 'justice system' as a whole. I do not think that having arbitrary, fear-based responses to people's highly inappropriate and hurtful behaviors helps to protect society. The more we throw people in prison, for longer and longer sentences, with less and less chance of parole, the more offensives we are seeing. By all ages, in all aspects of society. I would like to see a movement toward treating all people as unique individuals. Statistics can help us understand trends, people are needed to help us understand individuals. Justice is about individuals - trends can never receive justice and neither can individuals if they are dealt with as a trend rather than a person. I think this question actually points to an issue that I find troublesome in the ‘justice system’ as a whole. I do not think that having arbitrary, fear-based responses to people’s highly inappropriate and hurtful behaviors helps to protect society. The more we throw people in prison, for longer and longer sentences, with less and less chance of parole, the more offensives we are seeing. By all ages, in all aspects of society. I would like to see a movement toward treating all people as unique individuals. Statistics can help us understand trends, people are needed to help us understand individuals. Justice is about individuals - trends can never receive justice and neither can individuals if they are dealt with as a trend rather than a person.

]]> http://karenrayne.com/2007/08/08/adolescent-sex-offenders-part-2-social-and-psychological-implications/comment-page-1/#comment-171 Alice Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:50:00 +0000 http://karenrayne.com/?p=119#comment-171 Adolescents should not be treated as adults, period. I agree with you that they should receive intense professional counseling. Unfortunately, this process is so politicized--especially since, as you pointed out, the <i>victim's</i> experience is the same--and most people have little respect for professional expertise. Adolescents should not be treated as adults, period. I agree with you that they should receive intense professional counseling. Unfortunately, this process is so politicized–especially since, as you pointed out, the victim’s experience is the same–and most people have little respect for professional expertise.

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