I saw the same linked post on my fb news feed today also. Before I met my husband and started down this road with him, I can honestly say that my first reaction would have been to think the worst about sex offenders. Now, after being educated and also living this life...I can honestly say that my views were completely ignorant and simple minded.

Just try to remember that education is key. As humans, we all make mistakes. Hang in there, everything will turn out okay. :-)

Reggie,

There are a lot of "keyboard warriors" on the Internet who have nothing better to do than sit behind their keyboard----probably in their bedroom in mom and dad's basement----and say things that will hurt others.

The false bravado is amazing.

Please don't allow these cretins to ruin your day. They are not worth the bother.

Most of them have probably done things just as bad or worse than your son in their lifetime---they just have not been caught.

rewdiazepam

I have learned that people are naïve. I too knew nothing about it in the past and who knows how I would have felt, had I not known first hand. I have just learned to ignore them and I know they are just coming from people who have not a clue what the laws are or how they are based. As long as you and your circle know you are good people, it doesn't apply to you then. That's how I see it.

If you feel comfortable, comment on your friend's FB page and tell them some facts you've learned (you don't have to disclose your son's charges), but educating people will help them open their eyes that not all SO's are Ariel Castro or Phil Garrido. Tell them how easy it is to be labeled (teens sexting or engaging in consentual sex, streaking, peeing outdoors, etc ). Then point out that the best way to ensure a sex offender doesn't reoffend (or any felon) is by them having stable housing, employment and support from community and/or family. These public shaming tatics do the complete opposite of ensuring public safety.

If not, and your offended by their post, unfriend them. Don't read the comments, as they are always hateful.

Hello Reggie,
Something is always going to happen to remind you of what your going through. Sorry to say this. The only other thing I can say to this is you can deal with it. You will now find out how ignorant a lot of people are to the facts of people and families in this situation and how cruel people can really be with comments they will make when something about a S.O. is brought up in the news or just general discussion around you. Society has been conditioned that anyone that has committed this type of crime can never be cured or trusted again. News media sensationalizes the stories to get ratings people only hear what is told to them it's like the commercial on television about the girl that met the french model on the internet it must be true!!! They really don't want to put the numbers out there on recidivism of S.O.'s people think it's almost a guarantee that they will keep doing it over and over. The true facts are hidden because politicians now have something else they can lie about and make new laws about for re-election. Reggie I feel for you and can only say is to look to your family. You will find out who your true friends are now if and when they find out about your situation. If you lose friends they really never were to begin with say breathe a sigh of relief that you found out that your neighbor you thought was great didn't really have any knowledge of understanding or empathy your better off without them. If you try to carry the burden of peoples feelings you will set yourself up for failure I hate giving insight like this Reggie and hate to say this but you have to ignore the negativity from the masses out there because they can say some pretty crude things. I wish you the best and pray that you stay strong and realize that you can make it through this like many other families.
Bill

I had a friend who once forwarded something on FB about SOs and it was negative. I emailed her privately and told her my son's story. She still left it up, but at least I let her know how I felt about it.

When I see those kinds of posts on my page, I just hide them from my view.
The local newspaper for my area has a Facebook page and when my son got sentenced it not only made the local papers, it also made it to their Facebook page.
Stay strong Reggie1961, you'll get through this.

My opinion? Screw Facebook. Never been on it, never will be on it. I'm the only one in my family who has never been on it. You want to communicate? Call me on the phone. None of my friends are on it either, they have my phone number and my email. I leave my phone in my truck when I'm at work, though I check it every break because my parents are getting older...I don't want to know what you're doing every minute of every day, and you don't need to know when I go to pee....
As for those 'keyboard commando's'? Don't waste your time worrying about them, I had one on topix(yeah, I know, but? Non SO related) but I went to his city on business for 3 days, told him where I was staying, and SURPRISE, he never showed, kind of like Valerie, who would wet her 'Depends' if we met face to face. Sorry, had to trow that in because I know she is reading this....
Hell, I don't even know how to text, and have a 'Flip' phone..
OK, thus ends my tirade on technology...I'm just old school i guess.

It's unfortunate some of the uneducated comments that come through but I've seen more and more intelligent comments being made. Because of the way our politics are financed it will take someone with great strength and resolve to stand up for what's right and make the public see what's really going on. It's a popularity contests and addressing (former) sex offender rehabilitation does not get votes. The only way the tide will be turned is education. Politics and education aren't even in the same room. Politics and money are.

Try to look beyond the hate. You know what kind of people you are and who your true friends are. Your true friends will help you get though tough times. The rest are not important.....

I find it ironic that many news websites have converted to FB-only commenting in hopes of increasing civility, yet I see the worst comments from FB users. On the upside, most haters are too stupid to lock down their pages, which has helped me embarrass a number of them.

oncefallen.com has a FB page, by the way, so feel free to show your symbolic support by giving it a "like."

I am a mother of a RSO also. I have seen the same post from a woman I go to church with and I know thinks the world of my family. She forgot about my son. I sent her a PM and asked her to please take it down. I asked her if she truly wanted to see a sign like that in my yard. She took it down. I am involved in our local little town's city government and was in the office signing employees checks today when I over heard an officer talking about being in court today putting away another "sex offender". When she turned around and saw me there her face turned bright red as I have been very open about my son. I try and try to educate people but sometimes it feels hopeless and it feels like they are sticking a knife in your heart. I just try to pray for them and ask forgiveness for how I feel about them:)

I don't do Facebook anymore got sick of knowing everything about everyone.
I think I would of asked the hates what they would do if that sing was going up on there place...but then again some people just wouldn't listen.
Iam sorry that you saw that and the comments that go along with it. Keep taking it one day at a time and don't worry about what people think your true mates will stick by you.

Thanks for all the kind words. It really helps a lot. I try to remember that they just don't know the facts, but knowing that some people will hate my son for this one thing, when he's done so many kind things, just breaks my heart. It's just not a good day. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow. Thanks again.

Please like and follow Derek's page and send him some love

Had facebook before .was used to witness about salvation and talk with my bro sisters .my oldest children even my cousins .wow .they talked about their world .didnt care about anyone else.
Which is their perogative .anyways .had video Of children collaterl damage.well thats when my oldest kids .started bashing me .i told them how i felt and let them go
Hasnt wrote them one thing in over year. And i dont intend too.some family may understand .but not all.some are just as hateful as the rest world and i choose not to have my family and me go thru it .so they cant facebook me anymore .but my oldest daughter looks like shes still trying snoop see whats up with me in google plus.but she cant write me haha .so her nssty hateful talk wont get to me .i also changed me facebook to my nick name.she cant talk to me .haha .Im sorry yu going thru that .keep your chin up dont let what people say drag you down stay strong in this fight