Branded for Life

Billboards in Maine are illegal and that's okay. They do negatively impact the landscape and most of them are low budget. But in Biloxi, Mississippi they are used as Public Service Announcements. This billboard happens to be right outside the main gate at Keesler Air Force Base.

It's sad because although none of us would want our child taken advantage of by an "older" person, most of us probably have dated someone who was older than us when we were teens. And, those significant others could have been accused of statutory rape; in some isolated cases they were, even though it was consensual. A parent who is just trying to protect their child may push this issue to make a point with their son, daughter and/or the "offender." And, unfortunately, the impact it has on the person who never did take advantage of the teen in the relationship affects them for the rest of their lives in some States including Maine.

Maine is one of those states that if you are convicted of statutory rape, you are considered a sex offender and listed on the State of Maine Registry of Sex Offenders. The program does not differentiate between a "family matter" and a criminal offense. It's bad enough for these particular "offenders" that they have a record but to have the issue follow them for life when it was in fact consensual, innocent, and typical of teenagers and those in their early twenties. Most of our parents probably have fathers that married our younger underaged mothers. That, too, could have been considered "statutory rape".

If it wasn't for the heinous act of rape and the stigma attached to it, these particular statutory rape offenders wouldn't have it so rough. But, they are all "straight up" considered sex offenders and that is all there is to it in the State of Maine. Now, imagine living in a small town, trying to find a job with a record, having people fear you, mock you, etc. And, then your Chief of Police makes you the "Sex Offender of the Week".

One such "offender" is pushing back here in Maine and it has prompted others to step forward too. We'll be sure to keep you updated on this issue as we have learned that the issue is near and dear to our hearts from both a safety perspective and on a personal level depending on who you are. As much as we all want rapists and sex offenders off the streets, we have to at least understand that like all things, there are those unusual circumstances especially with statutory rape charges where the "offender" was and never will be an "offender".

SUING STATE OVER SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION LAW (MAINE)

In response to several media inquiries, Attorney General Rowe issued this statement: "Maine's Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act is on firm constitutional ground. The Legislature has made it very clear that John Doe should be registered under the law, and it is not for prosecutors, law enforcement officers, or the courts to be making exceptions."