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Archive for the ‘EMDR’ Category
Chemical Castration: Pros and Cons
Chemical castration is the administration of drugs intended to reduce sex drive and sexual fantasies in rapists, molesters, and other sex offenders in order to decrease the likelihood they’ll reoffend. It is not a sterilization procedure, nor does any surgical removal take place.
Currently, it can be used as a punishment for sex crimes in a select few US states, but it is not legal throughout the entire country yet. There are numerous pros and cons to chemical castration. For example:
PROS
- The threat of chemical castration may deter people from committing sex crimes in the first place (prevention method)
- Use of these drugs has been shown to decrease re-offending rate from 40% down to 5%.
- It’s a humane procedure.
o CONS
- Will not be useful for people who sexually abuse to for emotional, rather than sexual, reasons.
- Physical punishments are considered barbaric.
- May seem like an “easy” punishment, because reducing criminals’ urges can be considered an act of helping them to live normally rather than punishing them harshly.
I believe that the topic of chemical castration for sex offenders should be up for discussion amongst rational individuals. Especially when combined with long-term psychotherapy, I think it’s a suitable blend of punishment and rehab. I certainly don’t consider it barbaric, considering the heinous acts that landed them in this situation.
What do you think? Is it too harsh, too lenient, or just right? Is there a better form of punishment for sex offenders?
(For more information on abuse and other mental health issues, please visit my website)
(For more information on abuse and other mental health issues, please visit my website)
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