I am in the process of collecting people's stories. My plan is to collect as many as I can and make up a booklet that can be used when communitcating with Lawmakers and others. The other day I was sent this story. These kinds of unintended consequences are the very reason I am fighting for change. We need laws that actually do something to protect kids like educational programs, therapy and support. If you want to contribute to my project please send an e-mail to me at ladyfurebear@yahoo.com. Thanks
My husband was 18 when he had consensual sex with a 17 year old at a campus party that was at his dorm. The 17 year old said that she went to the college, but in fact she was in highschool. While at the campus party there was booze and the two had some drinks and eventually had sex. The party got raided because, one it was in a dorm and involved several rooms, and two there was alcohol present. When the police showed up, they were searching for the person responsible for providing alcohol for minors. All ID's were being checked. While my husband and the female were sleeping in one of the rooms, the police showed up and asked for their ID's. When it was discovered that the female was 17 and that they were having drinks, the state picked up the case for having sex with a minor. She did not want to press charges because she admitted to drinking and having sex. But, since it was against the law the case was picked up by the state and my husband got convicted for five years probation, commuinty service and 5 years registration. After three years, they passed the new sex offender laws ( The Adam Walsh Act) and he was grandfathered onto the registry for life. It has been almost 15 years later and he is still paying for his crime. We have been married for 14 years and have three children. He is not allowed to have lunch with them unless they are moved to a secluded room and monitored by administration. In some states where we have moved to, they required community notification and had residency restriction laws. These Laws cause humiliation and others then pass judgments on him and us as his family. He has had to turn down jobs because of theresidency restriction laws and we have had to "settle" for neighborhoods that are not near any school or daycare. I do not have the priviledge of choosing where I want to live, so that we live in a great neighborhood or one that allows my kids to go to a good school. These laws violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights put forth by the United Nations. They don't differentiate betwwen dangerous and non-dagerous former sex offenders. We deserve to be allowed the chance to provide the best lifestlye we can, like any other family is able to do. It is time to reform these laws so that it only reflects those who are dangerous, not to the many who have no earthly desire to rape or molest a child. I can assure you my husband is not looking for his next victim, he just wants to get on with his life with his family at his side.
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Monday, March 1, 2010
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Burn Your “Sex Offender” Map
Great blog post on the Free Range Kids blog, in response to the articles I posted below from the Economist. The writer of this blog is one of the few voices of reason in these days of over protective parents. She has gotten tons of flack over letting her son take the subway in New York. She's well worth reading.
Burn Your “Sex Offender” Map
Read here on the Free range Kids Blog Posted on August 8, 2009 by lskenazy
Okay, here is some weekend reading to sink your teeth into. It’s an article from the Economist:
“Unjust and Ineffective: America has pioneered the harsh punishment of sex offdenders. Does It Work?”
The short answer is “No.” We are putting people on sex offender registries who do not belong there at all. People who peed in public. Streakers. Johns. Teenagers who had consensual sex. The registry does not discriminate between violet pedophiles and once-horny young folk who are now 30-year-old housewives, like one of the people profiled in the piece. Wendy Whitaker was 17 when she had sex (at school — dumb!) with her underage-by-three weeks boyfriend. She was arrested for it and her lawyer told her to plead guilty to get it over with. She did. But it was never over.
One of the plea bargain conditions was that she check in regularly with her probation officer. When she didn’t, she was thrown in jail for more than a year. She finished probation in 2002 but she’s still on a public registry that does not exmpain what she did. So, as notes the article, “it looks like she did something terrible to a helpless child.”
In all, according to the Economist, about 5% of the people on the sex offender registries pose a serious risk to children. Usually, when not in jail, these people end up wearing ankle bracelets. But when you pull up one of those Sex Offender Maps — really easy to do on the Web (and now on the iPhone!)– it looks like wherever you turn, there’s another child rapist. Which, of course, leads to more fear on the part of parents. That is understable. Our pig-headed insistence on lumping everyone together on these lists and never taking them off is not. Especially because — get this: “Registering sex offenders and warning their neighbors cost millions & had no effect on the number of sex crimes.”
No effect. One more quote from The Economist, which says that the sex offender laws, “get harsher and harsher. But that does not necessarily mean they get better. If there are thousands of offenders on a registry, it is harder to keep track of the most dangerous ones. Budgets are tight. Georgia’s sheriffs complain that they have been given no extra money or manpower to help them keep the huge and swelling sex-offenders’ registry up to date or to police its confusing mass of rules. Terry Norris of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association cites a man who was convicted of statutory rape two decades ago for having consensual sex with his high-school sweetheart, to whom he is now married…. “We spend the same amount of time on that guy as on someone who’s done something heinous.’”
From a Free-Range standpoint, it is appalling that these sex offender registries make it seem as if children are unsafe on any street. From a humanitarian viewpoint, it is appalling to think of our government is not ready to revamp the whole thing. Kids — and grown ups caught peeing in public — would all be safer. — Lenore
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
On Finding Work
This was posted in one of my forums today. The person that wrote it gave me permission to publish his ideas. I know many RFSOs are struggling to find work and this poster has some really good ideas.
Finding Work, A How To Option
I know how hard it is for some out there to find jobs.
So, I am going to tell everyone how I, an RSO have been able to make a six figure income and NEVER had a problem finding a job.
This is not something new to many out there. But for some of you it may be something you are completely unaware of.
Are you unemployed?
Is it only because of being a felon on the SOR?
Want a great job that pays good?
Here is what you do.
Start your own small business. NO it does not cost too much! I started my first business when I was 17 years old. I had NO money.
First you need to decide what you want to do for a living.
Let me give you some ideas.
Office Cleaning. Night work. Pays $25.00 to $50.00 per hour.
Handy Man. Anything from yard care to light carpentry. Pays $25.00 to $100.00 per hour.
Auto detailing. Easy work. Pays $20.00 to $50.00 per hour.
Computer repair. Pays $45.00 per hour.
So how do you go about this? Decide what you want to do. Determine if there is a need for the work you desire. If there is then go after the work. You will need to get some Proposals from a printers. Cost about $25.00
You may need some tools. Start with the bare minimum. Keep your cost down.
Next you will need to make contacts. For cleaning, go to office buildings. Small offices are best as they will not do background checks.
For handyman services. Run a free ad in a local paper, if that is available in your area. If not a one line ad for 30 days is cheap!
Auto detailing. I have a friend that goes to small auto dealerships. He does ok at that.
Computer repair. Again, a free or low-cost ad will do the trick.
Be imaginative.
In many instances you can become a subcontractor.
I own and operate a construction company. When I started out, I went from jobsite to jobsite bidding on work as a subcontractor. Within two years I had the second largest construction company in my town. In the third year it was the largest and people were coming to me for subcontracts.
This does work!
You can do what you know, almost anything.
What about registering. Well in many states the requirement is for an RFSO to list their employer. I do, it is my company. Same address as my address. It is legal. I do not have to list every house we build or ever remodel we contract. That is not required. One employer, ME!
Everyone can do this. It does take effort but you WILL make more working for yourself than working for someone else. You will have to keep good records for taxes. You will need to set up a bank account just for your business. You will need to set some money aside for taxes. But you will be FREE to set your own hours, work where you want, and earn what you want.
What if you have nothing to start with?
I started with a hammer, tin snips, and a nail pouch I borrowed from my Dad. He drove me to a construction site and I talked with the contractor. I explained that I really need a chance. He gave me that chance. After that I did work for that man for over 20 years until he retired.
A word here. I do not go broadcasting that I am a felon or that I am on the SOR. What I do tell the people is why I am qualified to do their job. And I do a better job that the next guy. I am trusted with the keys to their homes because I DO NOT steal from them.
I have worked for movie stars and sports figures and never once has the SOR issue came up.
Always be honest, work hard, go the extra step and you will succeed.
Here is a link to get free business cards to get started.
http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/pSearch/topDeals.aspx?GP=6%2f8%2f2009+10%3a37%3a23+PM&mk=Businees+Card+Free&ad=broad
Any other questions, just ask!
My answer, I too have been self employed so added some more ideas.
Awesome post!
I work for myself as a photographer, business is slow but since I am trying to get myself off disability I can take my time and build it up. I know most RSFOs could not photograph children as I do but there are many other ways to use your camera to obtain work, for instance photographing items for e-bay sellers. I have had many requests from other small start up business owners to photograph their items for brochures and their internet sites. This is an area of great need all it takes is a decent camera and an inexpensive set-up that allows you to filter the flash, I have even used a homemade set up with clamp lights.
If you can cook/bake how about making items for small restaurants? Like bread or desserts, I have done both. You need to get your kitchen inspected but other then that it's easy. Make your items up and set up an appointment with a local place and bring things for them to taste. They often have no place or time to do this kind of baking. I even had people who ordered breads on a weekly basis. They gave me their orders and we set up a time for them to pick them up. I got about $5 a loaf for something that cost pennies to make. That business started because I loved to bake a friend had a gluten intolerance and asked me if I could bake her a bread that she could eat. I did some research and found one she liked. Then her friends asked me to make other things, rolls, cinnamon buns, biscuits, different kinds of breads, even some cakes and pies. I was making around a $100 a week extra income, while going to college and working other part time jobs and raising my kids. If I had had the time to devote to it I could have done a lot more, in fact towards the end I had to turn people away.
How about car repair? website building? or something you can make? Such as candles, book shelves, miniatures for railroads and dollhouses, stained glass the list goes on. Find some niche where you have something unique and market yourself.
There are free classes you can take that teach how to get yourself set up, write a business plan etc.
Finding Work, A How To Option
I know how hard it is for some out there to find jobs.
So, I am going to tell everyone how I, an RSO have been able to make a six figure income and NEVER had a problem finding a job.
This is not something new to many out there. But for some of you it may be something you are completely unaware of.
Are you unemployed?
Is it only because of being a felon on the SOR?
Want a great job that pays good?
Here is what you do.
Start your own small business. NO it does not cost too much! I started my first business when I was 17 years old. I had NO money.
First you need to decide what you want to do for a living.
Let me give you some ideas.
Office Cleaning. Night work. Pays $25.00 to $50.00 per hour.
Handy Man. Anything from yard care to light carpentry. Pays $25.00 to $100.00 per hour.
Auto detailing. Easy work. Pays $20.00 to $50.00 per hour.
Computer repair. Pays $45.00 per hour.
So how do you go about this? Decide what you want to do. Determine if there is a need for the work you desire. If there is then go after the work. You will need to get some Proposals from a printers. Cost about $25.00
You may need some tools. Start with the bare minimum. Keep your cost down.
Next you will need to make contacts. For cleaning, go to office buildings. Small offices are best as they will not do background checks.
For handyman services. Run a free ad in a local paper, if that is available in your area. If not a one line ad for 30 days is cheap!
Auto detailing. I have a friend that goes to small auto dealerships. He does ok at that.
Computer repair. Again, a free or low-cost ad will do the trick.
Be imaginative.
In many instances you can become a subcontractor.
I own and operate a construction company. When I started out, I went from jobsite to jobsite bidding on work as a subcontractor. Within two years I had the second largest construction company in my town. In the third year it was the largest and people were coming to me for subcontracts.
This does work!
You can do what you know, almost anything.
What about registering. Well in many states the requirement is for an RFSO to list their employer. I do, it is my company. Same address as my address. It is legal. I do not have to list every house we build or ever remodel we contract. That is not required. One employer, ME!
Everyone can do this. It does take effort but you WILL make more working for yourself than working for someone else. You will have to keep good records for taxes. You will need to set up a bank account just for your business. You will need to set some money aside for taxes. But you will be FREE to set your own hours, work where you want, and earn what you want.
What if you have nothing to start with?
I started with a hammer, tin snips, and a nail pouch I borrowed from my Dad. He drove me to a construction site and I talked with the contractor. I explained that I really need a chance. He gave me that chance. After that I did work for that man for over 20 years until he retired.
A word here. I do not go broadcasting that I am a felon or that I am on the SOR. What I do tell the people is why I am qualified to do their job. And I do a better job that the next guy. I am trusted with the keys to their homes because I DO NOT steal from them.
I have worked for movie stars and sports figures and never once has the SOR issue came up.
Always be honest, work hard, go the extra step and you will succeed.
Here is a link to get free business cards to get started.
http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/pSearch/topDeals.aspx?GP=6%2f8%2f2009+10%3a37%3a23+PM&mk=Businees+Card+Free&ad=broad
Any other questions, just ask!
My answer, I too have been self employed so added some more ideas.
Awesome post!
I work for myself as a photographer, business is slow but since I am trying to get myself off disability I can take my time and build it up. I know most RSFOs could not photograph children as I do but there are many other ways to use your camera to obtain work, for instance photographing items for e-bay sellers. I have had many requests from other small start up business owners to photograph their items for brochures and their internet sites. This is an area of great need all it takes is a decent camera and an inexpensive set-up that allows you to filter the flash, I have even used a homemade set up with clamp lights.
If you can cook/bake how about making items for small restaurants? Like bread or desserts, I have done both. You need to get your kitchen inspected but other then that it's easy. Make your items up and set up an appointment with a local place and bring things for them to taste. They often have no place or time to do this kind of baking. I even had people who ordered breads on a weekly basis. They gave me their orders and we set up a time for them to pick them up. I got about $5 a loaf for something that cost pennies to make. That business started because I loved to bake a friend had a gluten intolerance and asked me if I could bake her a bread that she could eat. I did some research and found one she liked. Then her friends asked me to make other things, rolls, cinnamon buns, biscuits, different kinds of breads, even some cakes and pies. I was making around a $100 a week extra income, while going to college and working other part time jobs and raising my kids. If I had had the time to devote to it I could have done a lot more, in fact towards the end I had to turn people away.
How about car repair? website building? or something you can make? Such as candles, book shelves, miniatures for railroads and dollhouses, stained glass the list goes on. Find some niche where you have something unique and market yourself.
There are free classes you can take that teach how to get yourself set up, write a business plan etc.
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