Living Outside the Stacks

I don’t know if you’ve been watching the news, but it seems like there has been a surge in the abduction, rape and murder of children.  Or maybe it’s just getting reported more often, I don’t know…  But whatever the reason, this has to stop.  Just today a man in our area was sentenced for videotaping himself as he raped several children.  His youngest victim was six months old.  Six months old!

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My heart is broken.  Even now, it’s all I can do to contain the rage, anger, hurt and disbelief that I feel.  How does someone do something so evil to a child?  And where is the public outrage?  Why aren’t more parents demanding that these individuals be put away for life without the chance for parole?

Isn’t it time that the rights of accused and convicted pedophiles be set aside for the protection of those who cannot protect themselves?  At what point do we say enough is enough?  Obviously, our current method of punishment isn’t working.  These people are getting out of prison and going on to commit even more heinous crimes.  Think about how much grief and sorrow could be prevented if these individuals were incarcerated for life.  Why do they get a second chance?

I’m asking for the complete revocation of all rights for pedophiles/child murderers.  Once they harm a child, they give up all signs of humanity so why should they be allowed to get out of prison in 5 years so they can repeat their offenses?  The correct punishment should be complete and irrevocable incarceration for life.  No second chances.  Aren’t our children worth this and so much more?

When my children were little, there were three steps that I took to ensure their safety and I want to share those tips with you right now:

1.   Teach your children that their bodies are theirs and theirs alone ~ no one has the right to touch them

2.  Let your child use his or her voice ~ they have the right to say “no” to an adult when it comes to their bodies

3.  Never, ever force them to hug or kiss an adult (even a relative) ~ it may seem rude, but children should never have to submit to affection through force

For more tips on how you can protect your child, go to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children or to the Polly Klass Foundation.

I have the research skills of a librarian, the preservation skills of an archivist, the organizational skills of a mother and the domestic skills of a Stepford wife. I have the research skills of a librarian, the preservation skills of an archivist, the organizational skills of a mother and the domestic skills of a Stepford wife. Read more from this author