Sex offenders and child abuse are on the news stands every day, and most people would agree that sex offenders should be punished. There are, however, two different viewpoints when examining offenses labeled as sex crimes; one from the rehabilitation aspect, and one from a legal standpoint. All sex offenders should receive treatment, but perhaps not all of them need to go to jail/prison. Instead, we should be differentiating between those who are dangerous, and those whose actions are not violent. It is logical to think the latter group suffers internally anyway, not that flashing or being a peeping tom is a trivial crime.

Sex offenders are not always violent, and a new system of categorization is long overdue. People have been beaten to death for being labeled as sex offenders, although the sum total of their crimes may have been one incident of stealing the next door neighbor's panties from the clothes line. Again, not a trivial crime for the victim, but of course, nothing to die for either. The label of sex offender belongs to those who are violent, and whose behavior is likely to escalate to murder if they are not apprehended and removed from society. For a peeping tom or an exhibitionist, the transition from flashing or peering over the fence to becoming a violent murderer or rapist, is not typical of a clinical diagnosis of paraphilia, and is in fact, a rare situation.

There are several treatments available for paraphilias, and empathy therapy is a useful idea. Aversion therapies have also been effective in diverting these sex offender's urges in another direction, and are likely to be more effective still, when used in conjunction with other treatment options. These treatment programs can easily diffuse a situation for a non-violent sex offender, but what about the violent criminals; those who rape and molest children with little to no remorse?

One obvious remedy is castration, and some argue that it should be mandatory. This would also reduce the incidence of forced rape within the prison system. Violent sex offenders are quick to leap to their feet and complain about their civil rights when this topic is bought up, but there is also a simple response to that argument. If an individual rapes somebody; man woman or child, they should automatically forfeit those rights. Period. If sexual urges are found to be present following castration, a follow through with some anti-androgen drug is in order. Another civil rights issue may be noted here also "what about my right to reproduce?" Sex offenders should not be permitted to have children. Once an individual proves himself to be a danger to society in general, and an obvious poor choice to leave in the care of children, no further discussion on the topic will be necessary.

We are then faced with yet another issue; prison overcrowding. This can also be alleviated by releasing non-violent criminals back into society; with reference to those who have been jailed for non- payment of child support and an overflowing glove-box full of unpaid parking tickets. These people need to work to pay their way, and being locked up is not providing that opportunity.

Our government should also be offering more sex offender awareness programs in schools. We rely on our children to inform us if they have been subjected to inappropriate advances, so the more equipped they are to recognize these behaviors, and the more they are taught that they are not to blame for any abuse, the likely we are to suffer the ongoing problem of sex offenders in our neighborhoods.