You Just Need to Know

Life has its tremendous sorrows, and one of them is that this world does have sexual offenders. It's a sad truth but we all know it and that they are around us. The government has issued that a sexual offender must report where he is living at all times and that it must be posted for the public to view. So we have the sexual offender registery. Yet, I know of few who use it in all actuality, why don't they?

One reason, and I know this sounds cliche, is that many people think that living here in Utah, we just don't have many sexual offenders. I know, that's a stereotype of Utahns saying that we all think we are just so safe and that we really know what goes on in the world . . . then why don't more people check the list?

Another reason, could be because they don't know how. Mostly, it's just adults who check and a few of them actually tell their kids about which houses to avoid and who to avoid, yet the kids remain naive about how to get onto the website that has been made available.

There are also those who just don't want to know. They keep their lives sheltered by associating with those they know well and don't think that it can affect them if they only talk to those they know. But, what if someone moves into your area, and you trust them after time, yet they are on the list? What if someone you know gets on the list while you know them, yet they don't tell anyone they are on it- and you don't check?

Another reason those who don't want to know, or spread the word that someone is a sexual offender is because they don't want to "judge." Yes, the area I live in has its extreme religious dominance and we are taught not to judge unrightously. So where does one draw the line of checking the list, avoiding the person, and/or telling others? I think it goes to where you protect yourself. You should NOT have to put yourself in a situation that could harm you in any way. It should not be wrong to warn others, because what if they get hurt and you knew? It's not fair if you could have warned them, and they get hurt.

I know it is so hard to let others know that someone they trust is on the list, I am in that situation right now. But I think it should be done. If I was a parent, I would want to know, I would die to know just to keep my kids safe, and I know every parent I talk to feels the same way. So here's my plea, please keep yourself educated, for the simple reason that you and those around you can create a safer place to live.

If you want to get to the site google the Utah State Department of Corrections.