In Louisiana, prostitution can easily amount to more than just a few hours in jail and a court date. "I thought it was going to be a misdemeanor but when they told me I had to register for life, I couldn't believe it," said 54-year-old, Christina Shank. "I was just trying to make some money but they treat us like we're a child molester or a rapist," she said.
Shank is one of nearly 350 Louisiana women registered as a sex offender, after being found guilty of soliciting someone for anal or oral sex. In the documentary, "The Unlikely Sex Offenders," Shank and others convicted of violating Louisiana's 1805 crime against nature law explain how they live with the shame, stigma and isolation that comes with their conviction. What's the purpose and history of such strict enforcement? Why is this law still on the books? Is anything going to change? How do prosecutors prove the case against the accused?
For answers to those questions and to find out what happens to Shank, mark your calendar for Thursday, April 28, 6 p.m. My film, "The Unlikely Sex Offenders" is one of two that will screen at Katzen Center at American University. The screening is in conjunction with the American University Center for Social Media and the Obama Administration's 2011 Human Rights Conference. Admission is free. I sincerely hope you can make it.
Feel free to contact me at
NewsHeels@gmail.com.
This is a good topic to kick around as many sex offender live right under our noses and we never know. Sex offenses include prostitution, soliciting, rape, sexual assault, carnal knowledge of a juvenile and sexual abuse of a minor. The sex offender is one of the most challenging clients to work with in terms of community reentry. Depending on the degree of the conviction, the sex offender (in Maryland) will have to register for life. Registering means getting finger printed by police, submitting change of addresses (residence and work) for the life, and participation in sex offender therapy/treatment is required in some cases. The sex offender will experience many challenges in obtaining housing and employment. The sex offender typically experience bouts of depression. I can go on and on about sex offenders. I locked in the date on my calendar and shared the e-mail with some of my co-workers. I look forward to seeing your documentary.
ReplyDeletethe trailer has me wanting to learn more about this topic. i didn't realize the wide range of sex offenses. can't wait to see the entire film.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting! I too had no idea prostitutes were being convicted as sex offenders and cannot wait to see the entire documentary.
ReplyDelete