“Public stocks were typically positioned in the most public place available, as public humiliation was a critical aspect of such punishment. Typically, a person condemned to the stocks was subjected to a variety of abuses, ranging from having refuse thrown at them, to paddling, tickling (the most common) or whipping of the unprotected feet.” It should be noted that very few took part in the harassment of the offenders, those who did were however very loud hecklers.
The SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY (SOR) has been provided a multimillion dollar website. It is placed on the internet in such a way that it is front and center before the public. The humiliation of the SOR is widely understood. The abuse of those on the SOR is unquestionable. As Congressman Bobby Scott said, “Once a person is on the public registry, basically their life is over.” The reason is so simple to understand; a person listed on the SOR is limited as to where they can work and live; why even travel restrictions are being considered.
Then there is the ever present danger from vigilantes. This all-too-real danger has caused the deaths of many registered offends. Beyond death there is the harassment of the family and children of former offenders. The public registry puts the family of RSO’s in stocks and in danger. Children of registered offenders have to deal with painful ridicule at school and in their neighborhoods.
Voyeuristic neighbors often feel the need to pass out fliers alerting other neighbors of the arrival of a registered person in their community. They do this, not for safety, but for self-centered reasons; they want to trumpet the call and be able to say, “That was me! I did it!” This form of self importance along with their voyeuristic nature is sure sign of their narcissism. (Narcissism is the personality trait of egotism, vanity, conceit, or simple selfishness. Applied to a social group, it is sometimes used to denote elitism or an indifference to the plight of others.)
Definition of voyeurism as used in this article. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/voyeurism (An obsessive observer of sordid or sensational subjects.)
Voyeurism is the key to the success of a scheme like the SOR which depends on people returning repeatedly to the website. It is no surprise that the registry gets so much web traffic, the public is eager to learn of the misfortunes of others; it makes them feel better about themselves.
The end of Pillories.
With the turn of the 20th century they put an end to the use of stocks and pillories. Modern man should understandthat this kind of punishment is inhuman. Seems our counter parts back then where more humane than we are today. How long will we continue this social experiment called the Sex Offender Registry? How long will we allow the voyeuristic public an outlet that leads to vigilantism causing harm to both the registered citizen and their innocent families?