Blog Post 5: Castration of Sexual Offenses

Should offenders have the right to choose to be castrated to help control and prevent further deviant sexual behavior?  Many people support the idea of castrating sexual offenders. Others believe that it is immoral because it allows those who committed serious sexual offenses to get off easier.  By getting off easier, critics of castration believe that serious sex offenders could have the right to request castration instead of receiving a lengthy prison sentence (Vanderzyl, 1994, p.84).  Proponents of castration believe that a sexual offender should have to face a prison sentence whether or not they request the castration.  According to the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary (2010), the definition of castration is “to render impotent or deprive of vitality especially by psychological means; to deprive of the testes.”  By depriving someone of vitality and their testes, castration may help lower the recidivism rate in our society, but that does not mean that it will diminish the issue of sexual offending.

Castration may be the outlet for reducing recidivism rates for sexual offenders.  For this purpose, castration is useful because crime in general is “based on high levels of testosterone,” and if one is castrated then his testosterone level will drastically drop (Girard, as cited in Wright, 1992, p.78).  The male’s testosterone level determines a male’s body shape as well as produces aggressiveness (Girard, as cited in Wright, 1992, p.78).  By castrating a sexual offender there is potential that it could possibly eliminate the aggressive impulses in males and also could create an opportunity for these sexual offenders to be successful in rehabilitation and may even become good citizens (Girard, as cited in Wright, 1992, p.78).  With little or no testosterone, a sexual offender may realize that they have no reason to re-offend in any sexual manner.  Dr. John Bradford from the Royal Ottawa Hospital in Canada stated, “that as a rule, recidivism rate of sex offenders averages 80 percent before castration, [and] drops to less than 5 percent afterwards” (Wright, 1992, p.81).  With this finding, it seems that castration may be the logical procedure, since rehabilitation, education, and counseling does not create a recidivism percentage anywhere close to being that low.  

Although castration does seem logical, as it reduces recidivism rates, critics believe that if done at all it should not be voluntary.  Serious sexual offenders should not be able to choose whether or not to be castrated, and if castrated should still be sent to prison for their required sentence.  Merely castrating a man will take away a man’s sex drive, but that does not make him any more of a good person (Wright, 1992, p.83).  Critics of castration believe that sexual offenders have both psychological and physical problems.  Castrating a man may take away the drive to be sexual with their victim, but serious sexual offending men also psychologically mess with their victims by taunting and threatening.  Serious sexual offenders are also ones who tend to physically hurt their victims.  Castrating may lower their likelihood to physically hurt other victims, but the possibility will never completely vanish.

Castrating serious sexual offenders may be the only effective answer for sexual offenders.  There are other programs such as rehabilitation, counseling, and other forms of treatment that prison systems give to some sexual offenders, but nothing has been proven to be really successful.  In Texas prisons, there are nearly eight thousand sexual offenders who are confined for indecent exposure, sex with minors, incest, aggravated sexual assault, and rape.  Out of those eight thousand sexual offenders, only two hundred are receiving counseling (Wright, 1992, p. 77).  This is just one example on how little faith our prison system has on these therapeutic solutions.  If prison systems made it a requirement for egregious sex offenders to be castrated, as well as serve their prison sentence, recidivism rates for pedophiles and rapists might drastically drop.   The reason for this argument is because no victim wants to see their offender get out of a lengthy prison sentence because they were castrated.  Victims are emotionally and physically distraught by the trauma that they have gone through and the last thing they want to find out is that their offender was let out of his prison sentence because he was castrated.  Although castration has not been proven to completely diminish the want to sexually assault someone, research has shown that the recidivism rate of those who have been castrated drops tremendously.  

Making castration a requirement for egregious sexual offenders may be beneficial for our society.  It may also be beneficial to offer voluntary castration to other offenders who cannot control their sexual urges.  In order to make this procedure a voluntary decision, the offenders cannot be egregious sex offenders.  Voluntary castration could be based on the seriousness of the offense and the amount of years someone has been sentenced to prison.  If the prison sentence is not long term, castration could be offered to those sexual offenders to have the alternative of either choosing castration or serving their prison sentence.  Those who are egregious sexual offenders, and have sentences of thirty-seven years, should not have the right to choose castration as a viable alternative to serving their lengthy term (Vanderzyl, 1994, p.84).

Although castration should not be rejected as “an unacceptable, ineffective and unconstitutional alternative” (Vanderzyl, 1992, p. 89), it should be used as a mechanism to help the people in our society feel safer.  Castration should be a voluntary procedure for those who are not egregious sexual offenders but should be a requirement for egregious sexual offenders, such as pedophiles and rapists.  Castration would help lower the sexual drive, that sexually offending men have, and could potentially eliminate those egregious or non-egregious sexual offenders from re-offending.  Castration is not necessarily a viable alternative to a therapeutic solution; they go hand in hand. Sexual offenders should have rehabilitation, or counseling, whether they are castrated or not in order to prevent them from re-offending and putting innocent people in danger.  It is the duty of the prison system to declare our society a safe place.  In order to do this, we must take the right steps to prevent sexual offenders from engaging in those illicit sexual behaviors.  It is reasonable to acknowledge that castration, although seen as immoral and unjust to some, may be a practical way to help “cure” sexual offenders from their disease of sexually offending.              

References

Castration Definition:  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/castration.

Taking Sides Book: Issue 7: Should Serious Sex Offenders Be Castrated? By Kari A. Vanderzyl and Lawrence Wright (1992).

Blog Post 4: Good or Bad?

Should anyone be forced to stay alive? Euthanasia is a controversial issue that has been considered an illegal medical practice in almost every state within our country. Proponents of Euthanasia believe that it should be an accepted medical procedure, while opponents believe it to be a crime of killing another human being. Euthanasia is defined as “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). A person’s life is ended either by lethal injection, overdose, or withdraw from life-support or medications. The most common type of euthanasia, or assisted-suicide, is known as the Physician-assisted death where a doctor provides a prescription to accelerate the death process. This type of Euthanasia is legal in both Washington and Oregon where over five-hundred people, overall, have taken their lives in such a manner. In both of these states, Euthanasia must be voluntary meaning the patient must request euthanasia for it to be done to them. Euthanasia is not carried out without the person’s request or consent (New York Times).

The video below will help you to understand Euthanasia in more depth:



It seems realistic to legalize Euthanasia, or assisted-suicide, as a medical procedure for someone who is in intolerable pain and is terminally ill. No family wants to see their loved ones in a vegetated state with no hope of recovery, or to see them alive but in a tremendous amount of pain. It is not only unbearable for the victim, but is also difficult for the family to witness their loved ones dealing with this inconceivable pain.

If someone is in intolerable pain, has a terminal illness and has no hope of recovering from an illness, then assisted-suicide ought to be considered as an option. Individuals who have not had this life experience may not understand the amount of pain it brings to the family. My father went through this. He had been very sick and had multiple types of cancer over the years, and one day had a major stroke. You could tell by the way he lied on that hospital bed, with a blank stare in his eyes, not being able to communicate with anyone, and in terrible amounts of pain, that he could not take it anymore. He suffered for a couple of months until the day came when he passed away. If he were given the option of euthanasia he may have requested it. No one should ever have to go through such intolerable pain any time in their lifetime.

Other people feel that Euthanasia is a killing of an innocent person and should be banned from the United States. According to the BBC, Euthanasia weakens the respect for a person’s life and allows individuals to believe and accept that some lives are worth less than others (Ethics guide, BBC). While these are good points made against Euthanasia, it is critical to remember that the patient must give permission to end their life if they are terminally ill. It is not considered to be an accepted medical practice in Washington or Oregon unless the individual asks for a prescription to end their own life. These individuals who make these decisions are mentally competent and are aware of the decision that they have made. Another argument against Euthanasia is if someone is terminally ill then why not let them ride out the rest of their life by enjoying it with family members. Why kill someone if they know they are going to pass soon anyways? Although these are arguments against Euthanasia, why would you ever want to let someone you love suffer?

Euthanasia is a difficult topic to discuss. It opens up many controversial issues regarding assisted-suicide and whether or not it is considered to be murder, or love. Some individuals believe Euthanasia is used for evil, while others believe it is a way to show their love by ending the pain that one may be enduring. We are all entitled to our own opinion, but ask yourself what would you do if you were faced with this challenge?

REFERENCES

Euthanasia Definition: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euthanasia

New York Times Article regarding Washington and Oregon: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/us/05suicide.html?_r=1&ref=euthanasia

BBC Ethics Guide: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/against/against_1.shtml

Blog Post 3: Rapes on College Campuses

How common are sexual assaults on college campuses? According to the ABC News website, approximately one in five women are victims of rape or attempted rape, and only a slim percentage of them actually report the experience. Many women are often talked too, by parents and college campus staff, about campus rapes and how to prevent being put into that type of situation. Although we, as students, like to believe that we know how to prevent being sexually assaulted by a peer, without talking to others, it is often not that simple.

With one in five women being victims of rape or attempted rape on college campuses, it makes you wonder if college campuses are really doing everything possible in order to prevent rapes from occurring. In a study conducted by the Center of Public Integrity, thirty-three female students who reported being sexually assaulted by another student were interviewed about their experience and the aftermath of the crime that had been committed. Just over half of the thirty-three women stated that their attacker had been found responsible for the sexual assault, and only four of the student victims said that the findings of sexual assault led to an expulsion (Center of Public Integrity, 2010). These numbers are devastating. While victims are left with a tremendous amount of guilt, tragedy, sadness, and other emotions, most of their attackers are merely “slapped on the wrist” and allowed to continue attending the school. As a result of this low rate of expulsion, many victims often feel responsible for the experience and often drop out of school while their attacker ends up graduating (Center of Public Integrity, 2010). This is why the percentage of reporting rapes is so low. Of those thirty-three women interviewed, a third of them stated that school administrators discouraged them from pursuing complaints (USA Today, 2009). Victims often do not receive the support they need after experiencing sexual assault. This is one reason why forty-two percent of rapes are never reported (Rape on College Campuses, 2001-2002). Victims need to be reassured that they can receive support and help from not only their parents and friends, but by the campus where the criminal act took place.

The video below was shown on ABC Nightline a little over a month ago. A young woman, Megan, had been sexually assaulted in her dorm building and received minimal support from the college:



A major cause of sexual assault within our college campus has to do with the experimentation with drugs and alcohol. This experimentation leads twenty-five percent of all college students to have poor judgment, and makes it one of the top causes of rape on college campuses. Once sexually assaulted, a victim is often left feeling responsible, guilty and ashamed. Because of these feelings, rape is often underreported by the victims. When rape is left unreported, attackers often feel empowered and may go on committing other sexual assaults (Rape on College Campuses, 2001-2002).

Rape is an uncomfortable subject that no one wants to discuss. It is crucial that we realize that it is an issue within our campuses, and in order to prevent rapes students should be encouraged to walk in groups, especially during the night hours. College campus staff should be required to show students the emergency call boxes on campus, and most importantly, students should be informed that they can come forward and speak to someone if they have been sexually assaulted. Although we, as individuals, must watch over ourselves while at parties and hanging around campus late at night, it is essential for students to feel confident and comfortable to come forward and notify others that they have been sexually assaulted.

References

The Center for Public Integrity: http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/campus_assault/articles/entry/1945/

Video: ABC Nightline: Campus Assaults: Widespread, Underreported: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/college-campus-assaults-constant-threat/story?id=11410988

USA Today: Report: Universities try to cover up rapes: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-12-03-college-rapes_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Rapes on College Campuses: www.bxscience.edu/publications/forensics/rapeFINAL.ppt

Blog Post 2: Domestic Violence

What constitutes something as being an act of domestic violence?  Domestic violence is often referred to as, “violence between intimates living together or who have previously cohabitated.”   Many people believe that domestic violence can only occur if physical force is present that is most certainly not the case.  Domestic violence happens in various ways, and is essentially based on different behaviors that the abuser expresses.  These behaviors can include, but are not limited to, physical, sexual, psychological, and various verbal behaviors that are intended to control their partner.  Domestic violence is an increasing problem in our society.  It is essential that victims of this crime are willing to receive help in order to escape this unfortunate life style. Examples of the different behaviors that can be exhibited through domestic violence are illustrated below:  

Many people believe that women are the only victims of this horrendous crime, but there have been reports indicating   that men have also been abused by their female counterparts.    Domestic violence can happen to any person, of any race, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or culture.  Although any one person can become a victim of domestic violence, women are still more likely to be the ultimate victim.  According to the domestic violence website, it is stated that “about 1 in 3 American women have been physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives” (Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman's Lifespan: the Commonwealth Fund 1998 Survey of Women's Health, 1999).  This is an issue that we cannot take a backseat on.   The statistic indicates that out of fifty women, approximately seventeen of them will be physically or sexually abused by their loved one. 

Although domestic violence is a problem in our society, why do so many victims continue to stay with their abusers?  Last week, I conducted a “ride along” with a Davis police officer and asked him this exact question.  He responded by telling me that victims are often afraid to leave their abuser because they are afraid of the consequences that could come from reporting a domestic violence incidence.  Another reason why victims do not report abuse to officers is because the victims believe that they are deeply in love with their abusive partners.   The night of this ride along the police officer had to follow up with a victim that had been abused the night before.  When we arrived at the victim’s apartment the officer knocked on her door and proceeded to ask some questions to her brother who answered.  Like the victim, the brother acted as if he had no idea of any domestic violence abuse and was unaware of any physical violence that had taken place the night before.  When we left the crime scene, the officer was suspicious that the victim and her family members were not completely truthful.  He said that it was unfortunate that the victim was not willing to help herself as the officer had no reason to arrest her abuser.  This is apparently very common in accordance with domestic violence cases.  Victims are too attached and in love with their abuser that when they are abused they deny it.   According to an article published on the BBC website, police officers respond to up to eighty incidents of domestic abuse per day.   The officers believe that it is their duty to protect the victims, but they are unable to help victims unless the victims want to help themselves. 

We can sit here and say that it is up to the victim to come forward to law enforcement and report their incidence of domestic abuse, but it is not that easy for those who are victimized.  Abusers often build up their tension and abuse their victims.  According to the domestic violence website, after the abuse has been conducted, the abuser goes through a period known as the “making-up” phase.  This phase includes the abuser apologizing, or promising to never abuse again.  Victims may be reassured by this phase and believe that their abuser feels bad for the wrongdoing.  The last phase is the calming phase.  This phase includes the abuser acting like nothing ever happened.  Once the calming phase has worn off, the cycle often starts over.  It is clearly a cycle that is hard for the victim to escape.  As a society, what we can do for these individuals is encourage them to receive help in order to make a better life for themselves.     

References

Violence Wheel photo: Presented on: http://www.domesticviolence.org/violence-wheel/

Lanschire news article: Lanschire Police’s plea to domestic violence victims: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/lancashire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8866000/8866498.stm

Book - Domestic Violence: The Criminal Justice Response: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=9jCJXOxKXoUC&oi=fnd&pg=PP10&dq=Domestic+Violence&ots=ZWVxczxCdX&sig=NkuJVKDxg2B-72flgMewUWe-hwM%23v=onepage&q&f=false

Blog Post 1: The Importance of Violence

Why is it important to be informed about violence that occurs in the United States?  Violence affects millions of people’s lives.  In 2007, the National Incident Based Report System (NIBRS) reported that the number of violent incidents were up to an astonishing 1,203,166.  Of that number, 1,073,998 were alcohol-related violent incidents.  From this statistic, it is clear that there is a violence problem in the United States.  What it does not illustrate is how many people are affected by the violence that does occur.  Everyday people are affected by the violence in our country by what the media displays.  Television programs, such as the news, illustrate the violence that is occurring on a daily basis.  While the news is simply informing people about what is happening in our country, it is frightening to hear.  Other media sources, such as movies and video games, also display a great deal of violence.  According to the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), adolescents and children are unrecognizably influenced by the violence on television and in other media sources.  Violence affects most of society in some type of way, either indirectly or directly.  It is important that we understand and address that we do indeed have an issue with violence in the United States.   

Statistics and other sources available at:

Bureau of Justice Statistics: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/acf/apt2_nibrs.cfm  

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention: http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/MS714/