Linky
Dennis Ferguson is a convicted paedophile who completed his 14 year sentence and was subsequently run out of several towns on his release by outraged community members. Personally, I think it is dangerous to allow this type of vigilantism to continue unchecked, as the police seemingly are doing. He is now in an undisclosed location for his own safety.
To me, this highlights the issues inherent in Megan's Law type initiatives, where communities are notified. It creates and perpetuates an outrage that causes the target to feel outcast and therefore more inclined to act on his urges.
While the community fear is understandable, the types of actions taken are disgusting and dangerous.
The mob mentality and the resultant consequences create a situation where the community will eventually turn on itself as we have seen happen already with the stabbing of a man outside the target's home.
What does NSG think? Where should paedophiles be relocated? Should communities be sanctioned for vigilantist responses in these situations? Should communities even be notified that these people are moving into their midst or does it simply create the lynch mob?
