This is a very deep and complicated topic, one that requires one to be very careful in their use of words and also what to say.
And I say that because immediately I went through the prompt, I felt like...No. This matter is one that concerns children, so even if an offender has served a jail term or has been punished, I felt it is common sense to not allow them near children, including their own children. Why? Because protecting them should be the first thing.
But then, the question arises. What exactly are we protecting them from? Is it that we don't believe in the system that says they can now be reintegrated back into the society? Is it that we don't believe a person can really change? Is it that we don't believe the rehab has done all that is needed on them already? Not as if I don't agree that children need to be protected, I do. But those are just questions that needs to be looked into, also talk of parental rights. As a parent, even after serving punishment, you've been reintegrated back into the society because you're now a changed person....so why?
Like I said earlier, this is a topic that needs utmost care as it concerns and involves children. But sexual crimes, not against adults but against children... That's a lot. And that is why I say it is a topic that needs one to thread carefully.
But then, I personally think or believe that offenses even though sexual can be different, same goes with offenders too. But I just feel that since a person has been punished, rehabilitated and then reintegrated back into the society, then it is because they've changed. If we think, feel, or believe there's no possibility for a change then the purpose for which a rehab exist should be questioned. Or, why does a rehab exist?
I'm not saying we should just allow such people free access to children, no. They should be monitored, and restricted to certain things, because the fact that they've served a jail term and passed through a rehab does not entirely erase concerns on a child's safety.
So, I feel the real question shouldn't be one that favors or go in line of the parent but one that actually puts the child into consideration. I'm saying that the question shouldn't be that "does the parent deserve access," rather it should be that, "is it in the nest interest of the child."
We have some children who share a very close relationship with a parent before stuffs happens, I'm sure you know that such a child would feel what that parent does and at the same time also miss the bonds and memories they share, so severing their bond totally might not be in the best interest of the child. For such, it would be best to consider certain things like supervised visitations, supervised contacts, monitored access and the likes.
I say that because I once witnessed something of sort, this child in question is actually very close to her dad. So after the whole thing happened and the father was locked in jail, it was this child that keeps crying, lost her sleep, and refused to sleep all because she wanted to see her dad. Guess the first thing she did immediately she saw him when they later went visiting, she ran to him and hugged him. It spoke volume of the kind of bond they shared. Even though the court then said the man will be heavily restricted because the child in question was his own. It is understandable. What I'm just saying is that a child feelings also counts/matters. Some may not want to even see such parents again, while some will.
What I'm saying is that, it can be different for everyone, so individual circumstances should be put into consideration.
So, like I said earlier, it is not about the adult/parent involved, it is more about the child in question. The children welfare should come first, and no principle should come at the expense of their(children) safety. It might not be the best answer, like I've been saying the topic is a deep one, but then I just think the best answer should be one that places the well-being of the vulnerable at the center.
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