Advice for convicted rapists: Move to Colorado, where the state government won’t burden you with odious labels.
That’s right. According to CBS Denver Political Specialist Shaun Boyd, you will no longer be known as a “sex offender.” They’ve changed the term “to something less stigmatizing.” They want to use “‘person-first’ language.”
“The Sex Offender Management Board,” writes Boyd, “which is made up of everyone from public defenders to prosecutors, sets standards and guidelines for treatment providers so the new terminology will only be used in that context.”
According to state law, you’re still a “sex offender,” but in the warm, welcoming bosom (sorry) of the Management Board, you’re one of the many fine “adults who commit sexual offenses.”
There, doesn’t that feel better? They could go further, of course. They could call you a “client,” like Derek Logue would prefer. Logue tells Boyd, “Referring to me by a label for something I did half my life ago is inappropriate and downright offensive.”
Colorado doesn’t want to offend criminals.
“Adults who commit sexual offenses,” according to Public Defender Kathy Heffron “takes into consideration the uniqueness of individuals who are receiving treatment.”
Is it? It does. She’s a public defender:
The balance I see is that it recognizes the victims’ impact and the ongoing effects of sexual assault, but does not label those who have committed sex offences.
Boyd says, “Supports [sic] of the change in terminology argue it will reduce recidivism.” She doesn’t say how. Boyd says that Colorado is serious about its person first language.
Meanwhile, a task force charged with sentencing reform is considering asking the legislature to change terms like “defendant,” “convict,” and “felon” to “justice-involved people.”
So rapists, run — don’t walk — to the Centennial State, where they’re super-concerned about your uniqueness and self-esteem. They will probably be tolerant of your pronouns. They might even own cookies, I’m sure.
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