Protect Children

From Sex Crimes

Thank you, Lt. Gov. Dubie, for your commentary article in the Feb. 9 Times Argus.

Thank you for putting into words things which I have felt and could not express fully. I agree with all the points you lay out so very clearly:

• Stronger laws against child pornography;

• Public awareness about websites that exploit children;

• Stiffer penalties for offenders in "power" positions;

• Civil confinement for high-risk offenders;

• Making judicial retention votes public record; and

• Meeting with state's attorneys to hear what tools they need to bring child sex offenders to justice.

In the past year-plus, since the "Cashman"case, I have wanted to express my own views but felt alienated because so many in the "know" agreed with the decision. Feeling alienated is not an unusual dynamic of a survivor of sexual abuse, of which I am. A victim for many of my childhood years, I did not become a survivor until I was past 40 years of age.

At that time I came to terms with these dynamics, and also became an advocate for victims at the King County Rape Relief in Seattle, Wash. One of the first things we were taught is to put the "power" back into the victims hands, which included not necessarily deciding for ourselves as advocates what was best for them.

Another point I would like to make is that however many times offenses have been made, it is very likely the number of times is minimized by not only the offender, but the victim. I know because I have been there!

At closing I would like to say to my friends and neighbors who might read this: you are very likely to feel uncomfortable when seeing me and not know what to say. That is okay! I have dealt with that. I do not dwell on the past, but am willing to talk to anyone about it.

Harriet M. Chase

Randolph

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