Why Aren't Professionals with Revoked Licenses on Registered Sex Offender List? (Fairfax: sex offenders, crime)

[1laduv]

How is it that licensed professionals: doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, etc. who violate the sacred trust of the "doctor"/patient relationship by sexual misconduct, then have their licenses revoked, but fail to be listed on the Registered Sex Offender List.

Are they immune to the laws and consequences that ordinary sex offenders receive? Their behaviors are far more reprehensible because they have violated one of the primary tenets of their profession: "Do NO harm".

[North Beach Person]

Because what they've done may not be considered a crime. There's a difference between professional misconduct and a crime.

[spencgr]

Well, I'd start with the fact that licenses can be revoked for many reasons, most of which are not sexual. Also, the registry is for those who have been CONVICTED of a crime. Losing your license is a much lower standard of evidence. It is possible to lose your license for the "appearance" of impropriety, even if nothing actually happened.

I'm sure you post is in reference to a specific incident. In that specific incident, were criminal charges filed?

[Forehead]

I'd also say that (generally) most sexual misconduct between doctors and patients aren't nearly as reprehensible as, say, a pedophile. In fact, it's not even close. The fact that they violated a tenet of their profession matters little as far as what crime was committed.

Suppose I have a choice between two equally nice houses, schools and neighborhoods being the same. One is next to a pedophile on the sex offender list. The other is next to a doctor who had sex with a patient*. I'll move in next to the doctor 10 times out of 10.

*Let's assume the patient was of age to avoid picky arguing.

As someone else pointed out, what they've done may not be considered a crime, and you're way off saying they're worse than "ordinary sex offenders". And frankly, you might want to be more specific there, since someone caught exposing themselves while urinating in public can wind up on the sex offender list. There's a wide variery of ways to wind up on that list.

[BMWZ4RUlz]

Not sure if this is really relevant to the discussion but found this very interesting. A close friend works for a NOVA government organization and they told me about an individual that was charged with a sex crime due to public urination (drunkiness). The policie officer decided to throw that charge on there too because he was having a bad day, etc. So it turns out because of that, he doesn't qualify for public assistance program he needs.

I am not aware of the details and requiremnts of these programs, but that seems silly to me. How many frat boys did stuff like that when they were younger, clearly they are not sex offenders.

Now, I do believe being charged with a sexual crime and requiring people to register as a sexual offender are two different things, but just sharing the information I do know.

I would be curious to hear more about that.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

IMO they are all the same sick perverts - imagine taking advantage of a mentally ill person -

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

IMO they are all the same sick perverts - imagine taking advantage of a mentally ill person -

WHO is taking advantage of mentally ill patients and not being charged with a crime?

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by dshawg1

Not sure if this is really relevant to the discussion but found this very interesting. A close friend works for a NOVA government organization and they told me about an individual that was charged with a sex crime due to public urination (drunkiness). The policie officer decided to throw that charge on there too because he was having a bad day, etc. So it turns out because of that, he doesn't qualify for public assistance program he needs.

I am not aware of the details and requiremnts of these programs, but that seems silly to me. How many frat boys did stuff like that when they were younger, clearly they are not sex offenders.

Now, I do believe being charged with a sexual crime and requiring people to register as a sexual offender are two different things, but just sharing the information I do know.

I would be curious to hear more about that.

While I agree that some on the list probably should not be, I am shocked that his lawyer couldn't persuade the court to change the charge.