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Messages from the Media, Politicians, and Professionals

Messages from the Media, Politicians, and Professionals. Prepared by Russell A. Dick, LCSW-C. Recent Media Messages. Middle River man charged with assaulting two girls. Teen escapes predator after bunker ordeal. Annapolis man charged in rape of step-daughter.

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Messages from the Media, Politicians, and Professionals

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  1. Messages from the Media, Politicians, andProfessionals • Prepared by Russell A. Dick, LCSW-C

  2. Recent Media Messages • Middle River man charged with assaulting two girls. • Teen escapes predator after bunker ordeal. • Annapolis man charged in rape of step-daughter. • North Point man, 76, charged with sexual abuse.

  3. Missing from Media Messages • Minor-attracted persons who are contributing to their community. • Opportunities for minor-attracted persons to participate in the development of policies, laws, and programs for minor-attracted persons. • Providers and programs where minor-attracted adults are welcomed and can receive caring services.

  4. Messages from Politicians - 1 • With the ever-increasing villanization of minor-attracted persons, politicians jump on endorsing child abuse legislation that is sure to win votes from the electorate.

  5. Messages from Politicians - 2 • A 29-year veteran state representative from Hagerstown, sponsored the "Child Protection from Predators Act" as well as a bill to collect DNA samples from sexual predators. On Jan. 31, his home was raided and pictures of naked children were seized. Baltimore Sun, Feb. 16, 2008.

  6. Messages from Politicians - 3 “The criticism of our current system is that the offense committed does not necessarily always reflect the exact degree of risk that a person poses to the citizens of Delaware. In order to accurately determine what level of risk an individual poses, an evaluation by a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker with expertise in treating sex offenders needs to be undertaken that considers the sex offender’s criminal history and risk factors…..

  7. Messages from Politicians - 4 Unfortunately, for this to occur, an enormous amount of resources would be needed to evaluate each and every case thoroughly. This of course is the reason the changes were made in 1997. Unless unlimited resources become available, the current system of tiering is an effective way of protecting the public.” Delaware Community Notification Working Group Recommendations to the Governor. 2005

  8. Messages from Professionals • Mental health professionals provide expert testimony in child sexual abuse court cases. • Mental health professionals testify in the legislature in support of child abuse legislation and sex offender registries. • Mental health professionals advertise that they provide treatment services to persons charged or convicted of sex offenses.

  9. Recovery-Oriented Carein Mental Health “If we are serious about the vision of recovery, then the mental health system of the last century—which for the most part was a system characterized by low expectations, control, and no consumer-based vision—must disappear.” William Anthony, Director Boston Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation

  10. Recovery-Oriented Care “Recovery, is the process by which an individual recovers their self-esteem, identity, self-worth, dreams, pride, choice, dignity, and a meaningful life.” TheMainPlace.org

  11. What Message Are Mental HealthProfessionals Going to Be Giving? • Are minor-attracted persons monsters or contributing members of the community? • What language are we going to use in describing this diverse group? Current language includes “child abusers”, “predators”, and “groomers of their victims”. • Do we think that minor-attracted persons should be included in discussions about programs and legislation, just as occurs with consumers of addictions and mental health services?

  12. What Message Are Mental HealthProfessionals Going to Be Giving? • How are we going to create publically advertized, welcoming services for minor-attracted persons?

  13. What Should We Do?

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