[greencreeper]

Stuart is correct in that America's system of monitoring is failing - compliance is much lower than that of the UK system. I think you also have to remember that "stranger danger" whereby some random person attacks a child, is actually quite rare. The perpetrator is more likely to be known - a family member or friend. Also likely to have never offended before. Name the family member and crime, and you name the victim, and you name the family...

Sometimes when we want something, or imagine something, it helps make it more real if we have proof. I think we look for protection not because we need protecting, but because the protection is proof that we need protecting - so we can say we were right all along. It justifies our fears.

As a single gay guy living alone, it would have been the likes of me, years ago, that the villagers would have driven out of the village - for being different. Much like elderly single ladies were suspected of witchcraft. It's worrying.