"Sex Scandal?" How about "sex crime?"

[journalist3072]

Is it just me, or is anyone else troubled by the frequent use of the term "sex scandal" to describe the Mark Foley situation?

IMO, "sex scandal" does not convey the seriousness of the charges here. It makes it seem just like another torrid, cheap Washington sex scandal between two consenting adults. And as we all know, that is not the case here.

I think the term "sex crime" or even "potential sex crime" more accurately reflects the seriousness of the charges in the Foley case.

What say you, DUers?

[StellaBlue]

1. YES!

And I am also sick of hearing people say, in reference to rape, "had sex with" - that is SO not descriptive.

:mad:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. "Scandal" works just fine.

Nobody has been charged with a crime yet; if that happens "sex crime" will be appropriate. But "scandal" actually has a more powerful ring to it, suggesting all manner of moral turpitude. And I also noticed that this evening both Olbermann and Scarborough referred to the matter as a Republican sex scandal. Which, of course, it is. Schadenfreude, anyone?

[pooja]

3. It is a sex crime. Remember when the Priests started getting caught.

Some of them are in jail and the church has had to compensate a lot of victims.. Its scandal because its Washington. It is a crime (partly because of Foley). And the fact that it was covered up is sickening. My only thoughts are, if he did this with Pages (bright American kids participating in democracy for a semester), then what about all the children who he worked closely with to protect them from him. I have a feeling that his closet is only missing a couple of shoes.. I don't think the whole thing was emptied.

[Glorfindel]

4. "Sex crime" is exactly right - I'm acquainted with a female teacher

who served a year in prison for having sex with a boy under the age of 18. Why is Foley any better than she is? I don't mean that it's been proven that he had sex with an underage person, but what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, is what I always say. Isn't it illegal to "entice a minor for immoral purposes," or words to that effect? A "sex scandal," to me, is like that riduculous congressman of several years back who went swimming in a public fountain with a stripper in Washington, D.C. Silly and embarrassing, to be sure, but not exactly criminal.

[Mabus]

5. New on CSPAN - CPI: Special Victims Unit

New on CSPAN this fall, Congressional Page Investigation: Special Victims Unit: This show introduces the Special Victims Unit, a new elite squad of Federal detectives who investigate sexually related crimes committed by Republican members of Congress.

I can dream, can't I?