[JohnW]

I was fully in support of Megans Law prior to hearing a radio interview on my way to work a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the law does not always fully distinguish between offenders. In the interview, a sexual offender called in to say that his offence was statutory rape and had happened 15 years previously. He, then a lad of 19, was going out with a girl two years his junior and they had slept together. When he broke up with the girl she must have told her parents what the two of them had done and the parents informed the police. The girl in question was within a few weeks of the age of consent when the offence occured. In the interview the man admitted that he had done wrong but protested that he is not a sexual pervert, has no interest in children sexually but would have to live with the terrible tag for the rest of his life. Now, the story may or may not have been true, I have no way of knowing, but the point is, it could be true and I'm sure there are such stories out there. The naming and shaming, I feel, should be restricted, so that it does not include offences of this nature. Of course, this then presents a problem of what should be revealed and what shouldn't, what ages are going to be the cut-off point, but I feel that this particular man was being over punished for what he had done. I think there is a vast difference between this man and a sexual predator who is out looking for children.

Busman, I am so sorry to hear of your terrible tragedy and I wish you all strength to help you through.