Convicted Sex Offenders

Today, convicted sex offenders are legally required to register with the state, have limitations on where to live and work, and put their name on a website for all to see. Not only that, but they are also scorned for the rest or their lives. As this is required for each and every sex offender, some people think that some of these repercussions are too harsh, especially for the less serious sex crimes. They think it has gone way too far and there should be some changes based off of the seriousness of each crime. On the other end of the spectrum, people think these punishments are fitting, and if anything, should be harsher. I believe that the harsh treatment for sex offenders is fine for the harsher crimes, but something should be done

Even though these cases may vary, sex offenders are all categorized as the same since there are too many offenders for police to keep track which ones are more serious. For example, a flasher or streaker would have very similar punishments to a rapist. It is believed that by giving different punishments, justice in these cases will be based off of a practical instead of emotional standpoint. Some think sex offenders will never change and undoubtedly will repeat the same offences, but in most cases, this is not true. "Sex crimes researchers R. Karl Hanson and Kelly E. Morton-Bourgon of Public Safety Canada conducted a large-scale meta-analysis (quantitative review) of recidivism rates among adult sex offenders. They found a rate of 14 percent over a period averaging five to six years. Recidivism rates increased over time, reaching 24 percent by 15 years." (Arkowitz, Hal; Lilienfeld, Scott; "Once a Sex Offender, Always a Sex Offender? Maybe Not."; Scientific American; N.p.; Mar. 28, 2008; Web.) Considering that most people have very little faith in a sex offender's rehabilitation, these statistics are relatively low. Even though an alarming amount of sex offenders repeat offences, not all of them should be considered to be the same and suffer because of

As with most other cases, harsher crimes should be followed with harsher punishments. Small sex offences should not leave someone wrongfully facing difficulties with jobs or living constraints. Not to mention that public information websites should also be saved for sexual offenders with more serious crimes. In fact, "There are risk factors for recidivism among sex offenders, like prior offenses, stranger victims, nonrelated victims, victim age, personality disorders, anger, early onset sexual offending, and never having been married. These should be considered when determinations are being made as to which sex offenders should and should not be required to register and be subjected to the system's restrictions. (Jennings, Wesley G.; "Research Should Influence Sex Offender Laws."; Nytimes.com; N.p.; Feb. 21, 2013.; Web.) These characteristics should be considered to deem a sex offender worthy of being a potential