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	Fix Flaws in Sex-Offender Law The Advertiser June 14, 2009 http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20090614/OPINION01/906140332/Fix-flaws-in-sex-offender-law As you read this morning's paper, you'll see the extraordinary story of Pam Frey. She came forward as an adult to tell authorities that she had been sexually abused as a child by a relative. You can read more of her story as the series continues this week. One important part of that story, and the story of all Louisiana children who have been sexually exploited, has been written, though not yet finished. State Rep. Fred H. Mills, D-Parks, has introduced legislation that would require the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to compile a list of offenders in its keeping who have committed certain sexual offenses against children 12 and under. Those offenses include aggravated rape, forcible rape, simple rape and molestation. The list would go to the Department of Health and Hospitals, which would be required to develop a treatment plan for each of these offenders. This isn't some fuzzy-thinking substitute for prison time. Offenders would still serve their sentences. Mills' legislation recognizes and tries to remedy the shortcomings in the way the justice system handles those who rape and molest children. To see the inadequacy of the current system in these cases, we need look back only 25 years to the Gilbert Gauthe case. Gauthe was a priest who was shuffled from parish to parish as questions, then concerns and then allegations arose from his behavior with children. Finally, he was arrested and charged with molesting a group of Vermilion Parish boys. Gauthe was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Under the early-release rules of the time, Gauthe was out in 10 years. And he hadn't been free and living in Texas long before a new allegation of child-fondling arose. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Gauthe spent a year in Acadiana jails while prosecutors tried unsuccessfully to find a way to send him back to prison. We can turn any sexual offense against children into a life sentence, but we'd better be prepared to pay dearly for it. We can continue to hand out 10- and 20-year prison terms and cluck our tongues when ex-con pedophiles attack more children. Or we can use the medical and psychiatric tools available to reduce the danger. Mills' bill has stalled because the state government can't afford the estimated $12 million it would cost over the next five years. There's really no arguing with that. But this idea deserves to be at the top of the Legislature's list every session until we find the funds for it. Our children deserve nothing less.
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