Sarah's Law - the plight of the poor paedo

There's no denying it's a hard life being a sexual offender. It's one thing after another - if you aren't out signing the register, you're taking your weekly visit to the local police station or explaining to your parole officer why a copy of "Young Arse" was found under your bed in the half-way house. Things are about to get a bit harder as the nation's police forces decide to implement Sarah's Law across the UK.

Sarah's Law is similar to the American Megan's Law in that it allows parents to find out if anyone who has access to their child is a sex offender. It's named after Sarah Payne who was killed, aged 8, in 2000 by paedophile Roy Whiting. Whilst that was a tragic act, there's no denying that this is a case of law made by the media - mainly in the form of a rabid News of the World, laughingly playing the high moral card against the only people accounted lower than them, the paedo.

We're assured that this will not lead to vigilantism. Well, we'll see. Personally, I'm not so sure the great British public will be able to hold back as word spreads of their local paedo. Especially if he or she has 'access' to children. At the very least he's going to feel just a bit more targeted and vulnerable.

I have some time for the sexual offender. I don't agree with the common mood that they should be tortured to death by a baying mob; I have this odd idea that that isn't healthy for society. This is not to say I think such people should go free, they are after all causing untold harm to their victims.

We need to understand that sexual offenders are ill. For whatever reason (often their own past as a victim) they fancy things that normal people don't. Imagine that for a second. Instead of being attracted to and needing sex with an adult of appropriate gender you have the same feelings for your pet dog, a fireplace or a child.

I believe these people should be helped by all the therapists, with all the drugs and doctors that they require. But if it's judged they are a danger to children (or dogs, or fireplaces) they should be put in comfortable but secure accommodation and treated until cured. This would be healthy for society on many levels.

So, pity the poor paedo - his lot is a heavy one. He's locked into a world he didn't ask for, with feelings which are as natural to him as breathing, and every hand is turned against him. His own acts appal him and the necessities of his life strike him ashen with grief. Poor cunt.