By Ali Siemens (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: August 21, 2012
A map is currently circulating both in print and online which outlines the residence of a newly released sex offender, Don Michael Bakker.
Bakker’s past crimes include sexually assaulting girls between the ages of seven and 14, as well as Vancouver sex trade workers. With his release into Abbotsford the words “high risk to reoffend” are attached to his arrival.
Speaking of sex offenders and pedophiles, Jeffery Goddard was recently arrested again for breaching parole. In the past, Goddard impersonated a police officer and lured children over the Internet using different personas on online social media platforms.
In an interview in The Abbotsford News, Constable Ian MacDonald was completely unsurprised by Goddard’s behavior.
“We say criminals are creatures of habit,” he explained “I don’t know if it can be any better illustrated by Goddard continuing to use the same MO as a means to engage and connect with young people.”
Looking at that statement, my eyebrows are raised at Bakker’s release into society. There’s a long list of violent offences against women and children and a high chance that he will reoffend, and yet instead of locking him away and throwing away the key, our judicial system has allowed Bakker into Abbotsford to give him another chance.
Why are we, as a society, so forgiving of these kinds of people? As an educated individual, I feel as though I am expected to understand when people such as Goddard and Bakker are given a second chance.
I don’t.
Sure, in sociology and psychology, many people have studied the rehabilitation process of sexual offenders, and some have had luck in preparing them for life back in the community. But there are many who don’t fit the bill and are rereleased anyway.
The youth of our nation are supposed to be everyone’s pride and joy. We are supposed to raise them morally and try and give them opportunities to better themselves for the future. We give everyone a chance, but when do those chances end?
I do not feel sorry for Goddard or Bakker. They screwed up, and they screwed up in a big way. They didn’t steal a car, they didn’t break into a convenience store, they inflicted traumatic pain and suffering on youth and women and they should be prosecuted appropriately.
Children are taught to stay away from white vans, and to refuse candy from strangers. These cliché lessons can only protect them so much; although these are great ideas, how about we stop allowing high-risk offenders into our community? Constable MacDonald admitted that sexual offenders are creatures of habit. We saw Goddard serve time, allowed parole and reoffend. Is it wrong to put an expiration date on Bakker’s release? Time will tell.
