unless there isn't. And a sexual assault isn't the only reason for a person to be banned from a venue or scene. I can spend another twelve paragraphs discussing when recovery is possible and when it is unlikely, but ultimately it comes down to: does the person show remorse? Do they accept responsibility or do they always have an excuse for everything? Do they complain about how they are constantly and unfairly being misunderstood? Do they give you so many unnecessary details about a situation that you are confused and/or fatigued and no longer want to deal with the topic you confronted them with? (Man, the "Overtell" is SUCH an interesting device!) I've only come across three people in ten years who have had an excuse for everything, and each of those times, the people have proven to be serial offenders. There isn't much I can do about it besides warn friends because, unfortunately, the only truly ethical way to thwart a sociopath is by exposure. Arrogance and delusions of grandeur allow them to underestimate the intelligence of those around them. They count on their friends to NOT dig too hard. To trust their flimsy excuse(s). Your weapon against this line of thinking is HOLDING THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE ACCOUNTABLE. Even the most talented people. The people you look(ed) up to. The people you admire and hope to be like. Guess what?! In the end, THEY ARE ONLY PEOPLE. Some tastier than others. Several poets in our community have been