Evening star., 1948-02-13
T Sex Crime and Criminals
New Statutes Increase Protection for the Public and Help
Determine Cause and Cure of Such Ofenses
A.J Stero
By A. J. Spero

mr. Spero Washington attorney, is
member OF the Bar Associations Mental
Health Committee. He has ,Dritten series
of articles on the problems represented in
ser o6enses and ser criminals, OF sohich this
is the fourth)
The previous articles in this series have In
dicated that the sex crime is so inextricably
intertwined with the entire social, moral and
economic fabric of society that there can be
no single answer to the problem. Rather,
it must be attacked from every aspect indicated
by thoroughgoing and painstaking investiga-
ton of the nature of the crime and its partict-
pants. Similar investigations have been un-
dertaken in other communities. Such inyesti-
cation by an impartial body should be insti-
tuted In the District as long-range project
leading to an overall series of Recommended
tions.
But the problem is far too serious at present
to await the result of a lengthy project such as
this. The community can, for it's own pro-
lection and with the knowledge 1t now has as
to the nature Of the sex crime, approach this
sore spot by determining. as frst step, the
effectiveness Of the present provisions In the
Code and the correction Of any deficiencies
found.
Such analysis has been made by the Dis
trict attorneys office. His findings as to the
weakness of the present law and the changes
proposed to correct these weaknesses have been
submitted to Congress.
Two principal objectives are sought to be ac-
complished by the proposed amendments: I'd
q strengthening of the laws as they relate to
sex ofenses against children; ca strength
ening of the laws ss they deal with perverted
practices.
It was found, for example, that the law made
no distinction in terms Of the gravity of the
offense where the victim involved was a child.
It is made in the proposed revision by doubling
the penalty If the victim is under is years in
age.
Further, one Of the most frequent complaints
in the District Of Columbia, indecent fondling
Of children Is not, under the Code, indictable
as such. The most that can be done is to
charge the offender with simple assault, carry
ing a maximum penalty Of $500 fine or IL
months imprisonment, or both This was cor
rected by proposing the incorporation of new
section which carries a maximum penalty of
10 years for a person convicted of taking in
decent liberties with a child under 16 years of
age, and maximum penalty Of S years for
enticing child to any place for the purpose
Of taking such liberties.
Strengthening Of Law Needed.
The strengthening Of the District Code by
such amendments and revisions undoubtedly
will be satisfactory in terms of the one
time offender, or the offender who has
committed a crime of the nuisance variety,
such as indecent exposure before adults. These
provisions, in themselves, however, are in
adequate to deal with the abnormal sex Offend
er, one who is neither mentally defective, nor
insane but who. because of his abnormality, Is
dangerous If left at large. Many such offenders
could, under the District Code, be sentenced
for misdemeanors, and even If the maximum
penalty were imposed such convicted persons
would be released in a comparatively short
space of time with no effort having been made
to determine whether or not the abnormality
has been corrected.
1t is for this kind Of offender that special
statute has been drawn, known as the sex
psychopath statute, for incorporation into the
District Of Columbia Code.
The statute provides briefly for the proce-
dure whereby determination can be made as
to whether or not person neither insane nor
feebleminded Is suffering from a mental dis
order coupled with criminal propensities to
the commission of sex offenses. A person found
to be criminal sexual psychopath would be
committed for an indefinite term to st. Eliza