Australian Government Considers Chemical Castration For Pedophiles In NSW

[Bebe 17,289]

"CHEMICAL castration has long been available to serious s-x offenders in Australia’s prison systems, now a New South Wales government taskforce is considering making it compulsory for those who abuse children before they even see the inside of a cell.

The group, which includes representatives from the NSW Government, victims groups, police, and legal and health experts, has been asked to examine the use of anti-libidinal medications and whether a judge could order the ‘treatment’ at sentencing.

Western Australia and Victoria already gives courts the discretion to order dangerous s-x offenders to have the treatment as part of release conditions. And NSW allows s-x offenders to voluntarily undergo the treatment while in prison. However NSW Justice Minister Troy Grant wants to go one further by making chemical castration a judicial sentencing option.

In announcing his proposal today, he said all options needed to be considered so children were “protected from abuse”.

“One of the worrying statistics that came out of our investigation is that up to 17 per cent of child s-x offenders are likely to reoffend in two years,” Mr Grant told the ABC. “We must do everything possible to reduce that figure.”

But the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) does not support mandatory or compulsory biological treatments for child s-x offenders.

“(Our) Code of Ethics states that psychiatrists shall seek valid consent from their patients before undertaking any procedure or treatment,” forensic psychiatrist Dr John Kasinathan said.

He also pointed out the term “chemical castration” refers to having no s-x drive at all, while the goal of modern biological treatment was to reduce deviant s-xual arousal and behaviour.

Read The Entire Article Here: http://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/nsw-government-taskforce-plan-to-bring-in-law-forcing-chemical-castration-for-child-s-x-offenders/story-fns0kb3z-1227500204978

Do you think forced chemical castration is a good idea?

[calmar 22,766]

I remember that in Germany they were giving them a more psychological approach that taught that there is a difference in pedophilia, which is incredibly rare and dangerous if acted upon, but not necessarily the summation of an individual's worth, and a child s-x offender, which is unforgivable as children cannot willingly and enthusiastically consent to s-xual activity. The article implies that this would be used only on individuals charged with s-x offenses against minors, but there are two issues I see from this. One would be being forced castration on those with a mistaken conviction; the other would be a future attempt to chemically castrate anyone with pedophiliac tendencies or desires, which is improper as they have no choice in the matter. I believe most pedophiles are decent people which are capable of reigning in and keeping their desires hidden and out of the way of producing harm. 

[Didymus 34,380]

That's called damage control.

The real solution would be to prevent abuse in the first place. There is still such a huge stigma on pedophilia that it's not unexpected for pedophiles to join online communities where they can feel normal than to risk social isolation by speaking out about it.

It would be a good idea if it was voluntary and if pedophiles had a better access to safe places where they can talk about their desires and work on a solution before they commit the crime. It's still a good idea when it's voluntary after the person commits the crime, but I always feel like these judging sentences give people the idea that the problem is thereby solved and the fear of castration will somehow prevent future pedophiles from abusing children. It doesn't work that way. It never works that way.

Real change will need to occur in people facing the obvious: pedophilia is real and has been around in mankind forever and is not inherently dangerous. Pedophiles who don't act on their desires (the majority) are not people doing what they're supposed to do, they're heroes and it's time we start appreciating them.

[Bebe 17,289]

That's called damage control.

The real solution would be to prevent abuse in the first place. There is still such a huge stigma on pedophilia that it's not unexpected for pedophiles to join online communities where they can feel normal than to risk social isolation by speaking out about it.

It would be a good idea if it was voluntary and if pedophiles had a better access to safe places where they can talk about their desires and work on a solution before they commit the crime. It's still a good idea when it's voluntary after the person commits the crime, but I always feel like these judging sentencse give people the idea that the problem is thereby solved and the fear of castration will somehow prevent future pedophiles from abusing children. It doesn't work that way. It never works that way.

I agree with everything you have written, all I'll add is on that last bit the goal they are trying to achieve is stopping reoffenders. 

“One of the worrying statistics that came out of our investigation is that up to 17 per cent of child s-x offenders are likely to reoffend in two years”

I get that it likely gives out the idea to the public that the fear of castration will prevent future pedophiles, which I'm pretty sure is your argument - rather than suggesting that it's the goal, but I thought I would clarify that, the suggestion the government taskforce is trying to get out, is that this would reduce rates of re-offenders rather than first time offenders. 
 

[Fusel 1,111]

ok what the actual **** nononononono

not only does the title say 'pedophiles' which is NOT synonymous with s-x offender

it's completely wrong. Everyone has the right to physical inviolability. It's an important principle. Once we start restricting that right, we're honestly ****ed. Why don't we cut off the hands of robbers? Or the tongues of people who commit verbal abuse? A state doing physical harm to its citizens is perverted and against everything we ought to be to be free. Why don't we open support centers for pedophiles & help those who seek help (and in the case of reoffenders, forcing help and arrest onto them)? That's a way to prevent child abuse, not castrating offenders.

 

 

[Didymus 34,380]

I get that it likely gives out the idea to the public that the fear of castration will prevent future pedophiles, which I'm pretty sure is your argument - rather than suggesting that it's the goal, but I thought I would clarify that, the suggestion the government taskforce is trying to get out, is that this would reduce rates of re-offenders rather than first time offenders.

Yup, that was my argument

Still thanks for clarifying 'cause I didn't really dwell on the context of re-offenders. A combination of prevention and this type of prevention (post-offense), though voluntary, would be ideal to me.