Classes learn about sexual predator program

Three classes on Pratt Community College’s campus gathered on May 9 to hear an official from the Larned State Hospital speak about sexual predators.

PCC’s Perspectives of Human Sexuality class, Social Problems class and Child’s Play and Game class all gathered to listen to Dr. Austin DesLauriers with the state hospital speak.

DesLauriers spoke about the Sexual Predator Treatment Program of Kansas, which is housed in Larned State Hospital.

“We talk a lot about freewill and why people do what they do in my class,” said David Cramer, Social Problems instructor. “This was a great chance for the students to hear someone talk about this and also how society deals with people who make the wrong choices.”

The program is for people who have been convicted of a sexual offence in the state of Kansas. After serving their sentence, if they are identified as posing a risk to society, they are put into this program, which takes years to get through. Some patrons have been in the program for more than 15 years.

DesLauriers spoke about what they go through and learn in the program, how few sexual predators are convicted of a similar crime again but how society wants them locked up because they are a danger and about the type of person likely to cause these crimes.

“A lot of the students want to see things in black and white when it comes to these issues and it’s not,” said Joyce Frey, instructor of Perspectives of Human Sexuality. “There are a lot of grey areas that they needed to hear about so they could understand them better.”

Frey said this is the second time she has invited him on campus to speak and hopes that he will continue to come.

DesLauriers said he also enjoys coming and speaking with the students to give them a better idea of what the program is and hopes to shed a more positive light on some of the issues society has with people who have been convicted sexual predators.

“A lot of times the fear is exaggerated,” he said. “People don’t realize how much power a person has once the issue is identified.”