SEX TREATMENT PROGRAM ALLEGEDLY RUNS ON FEAR, INTIMIDATION AND PORNOGRAPHY
By Investigative Reporter John Taft
September 12, 2002
NewsWithViews.comGRANTS PASS, OR - The operator of the Josephine County private sex treatment program appears to be concerned that the Oregon Observer focused on his money-generating sex treatment program. Clients called the "Offenders" by law enforcement personnel are required to pay $35 a week for therapy and $200 for a periodic polygraph test. Oregon Observer reporters Edward Snook and John Taft have had two meetings with the county commissioners to discuss alleged problems within the sex treatment program, that include: arrogance, questionable sex treatment procedures, and rudeness. The county commissioners released a recorded copy of the meeting to Marie Hill, head of the probation department, who has acted in good faith on some of the complaints, to date. A few of the areas discussed by the Observer reporters were the allegations that some of the schools clients are required to tape record themselves masturbating while reciting required statements. The tapes are then given to David Robinson head of the sex treatment school to listen to. If Robinson does not approve of the recorded tape, he is reported to require the client to rerecord the session until Robinson approves of the taped session. Next, several alleged sexually pornographic deviant fantasies are given to clients as examples. Under threat of jail for noncompliance the client is required to write his own fantasized stories required by Robinson as part of his sex offender treatment program. The material refereed to would most likely be extremely offensive to the public, and questioned as to its true intent, and value in rehabilitation.
Observer Upsets Robinson?
I asked Marie Hill, head of Parole and Probation, if any parts of the sex offender treatment program were secret or if there was an attempt to keep the program away from public view, and she replied, "Not to my knowledge." An alleged statement by David Robinson appears to shows otherwise. Robinson is reported to have said when handing a requested document to a client, "I would be reluctant in giving you these papers if I thought you had anything to do with the Oregon Observer getting the documents." The documents referred to are the ones in Robinson’s sex treatment program. Robinson’s comment shows that he is concerned that the Observer has the documents. Therefore: It can be reasonably concluded that Robinson is displeased that the Observer has the sex treatment documents and the comment could be construed to be a threat of reprisal that could take place immediately, or at a later time.
Total Control
Robinson works closely with the Parole and Probation staff. For example, if a client refuses to agree with what Robinson is saying in the classroom, all he needs to do is indicate to the client that he doesn’t want him in the classroom. The client at that point is in violation of his parole by not being in the class he was just removed from, and the client can be sent to the local jail or back to the state prison. Jail is used as a tool to force agreement and compliance with Robinson’s program. Without changing the clients heart there is no change, only superficial compliance.
Hush Hush, Stuff
"I have a meeting with the commissioners in two weeks," Robinson is reported to have told the same client. "Will you attend the meeting and tell, how the program has helped you?" The client didn’t attend the meeting. In this reporters view Robinson’s reported statement is attempted coercion, and at the same time has the effect of destroying Robinson’s credibility. "I asked Ms. Hill if clients are punished for talking publicly about the sex treatment program." Again she replied, "Not to my knowledge." As the reader now knows, Robinson can cause a client to be sent to jail or use other punitive actions against any client perceived to be in disagreement with his sex treatment program. The case can be made that any classroom action Robinson takes against a client could be revenge for ignoring Robinson’s request. Unless a client volunteers to endorse Robinson’s business without being asked how the program has helped him, it would seem to be a form of coercion, considering the awesome power Robinson holds over each client.
Only show In Town
Robinson has the only sex treatment program in Grants Pass at this time. This may be an opportunity for someone with another sex treatment program to come to this area. Contact the Oregon Observer for additional information.
© 2002 John Taft - All Rights Reserved
John Taft former president of Josephine County Taxpayers Association is presently an investigative reporter for the Oregon Observer. He has had many years of broadcasting, news writing and reporting experience. He also has written a popular conservative newsletter for a taxpayers organization to inform the public on taxing issues. John can be reached at joconewsline@hotmail.com