Sexual recidivism refers to the reoffending of sexual offenders who have faced the consequences of their actions. Onset, community notification does appear to be beneficial to providing societal protection and "community empowerment" (Bedarf, 1995, p.885.) However, this will be debated throughout this essay whilst considering the main issues regarding this topic; analysing whether it really reduces the rate of sexual offences. With this in mind, it is reasonable to believe that on one hand, community notification is contributing to a safer society. Whereas, on the other hand, it is a factor that merely reduces sexual recidivism . In fact, only contributing to making the community aware, yet serving no assistance in reducing the number of sexual …show more content…
Bedarf (1995) has cited that there has been a vast surge in popularity for this technique of dealing with known sex offenders. This would be reasonable as society's opinions of sexual offence is very negatively perceived. Furthermore, suggesting that a strength for this method is that society, to some extent, has the upper hand. Therefore, it is correct to believe that if community notification is protecting the public, such as detecting offenders earlier, then it must be beneficial to recidivism rates. (Washington State Institute for Public Policy, 2005.)
However, this can be debated, as according to research by the Centre for Sex Offender Management, only high risk sex offenders are notified to the community, whereas intra-familial sex offenders and offenders who were strangers to the victim are less likely to be notified about. (1997) Therefore, when taking this argument it reveals that society are not as aware as first considered. This proves a major flaw with community notification as it raises questions about if people are genuinely
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In response to the evidence, it seems to have more of a negative impact on economical issues than a positive impact on recidivism rates. A study highlighted that "home prices deflate by approximately nine percent if a sex offender lives within one tenth of a mile of the property." (Hynes, 2013, p.356.) Furthermore, questioning whether it reduces sexual reoffense or increases tension. This suggests that, ultimately, the notification laws are not totally beneficial, as the acuity of safety is an important factor to homebuyers that can significantly alter their perception of their wellbeing in an
The sex offender’s registry plays on parent’s emotional instincts to protect their children instead of really protect them. It gives parents a false sense of protection. The regis...
The following research will display an overview of the process in Texas on how sex offenders are registered along with the notifications that are followed after registration. Texas, as many other states, has a procedure which requires sex offenders to register with the local law enforcement agencies at the time of their discharge. In addition to registration, they must also comply with further probation regulations. Research has concluded that there are four basic phases of registration and notification. Beginning with offender notified, following the offender registration and community notified and ending with public notification
Megan's Law operates under the logic that responsible parents, once notified that a designated "high risk" sex offender lives nearby, will be able to prevent their children from becoming the victims of another attack. One of its primary motivations is the high recidivism rate associated with crimes of sexual molestation. Without even considering the large number of sex offenses that go unreported each ye...
In the event that a prisoner (particularly a sex offender) does complete rehabilitation, he carries with him a stigma upon reentering society. People often fear living near a prior drug addict or convicted murderer and the sensational media hype surrounding released felons can ruin a newly released convict’s life before it beings. What with resident notifications, media scare tactics and general concern for safety, a sex offender’s ability to readapt into society is severely hindered (554). This warrants life-skills rehabilitation applied to him useless, as he will be unable to even attempt to make the right decision regarding further crime opportunities.
Finally, the third condition requires local and state law enforcement agencies to release all applicable information from state registration programs needed for the protection of the public (Corrigan, 2006, p. 271). While Megan’s Law has given community citizens the ability to be informed of sexual offenders in their areas and their demographic information, one must also consider the impact Megan’s law has on these offenders when they attempt to reenter society after incarceration.... ... middle of paper ... ... Levenson, J.S., Brannon, Y.N., Forney, T., & Baker, J. (2007).
Many resources go into the prevention and management of sex offenders. However, very few effective programs exist that decrease the likelihood of reoffending. Through the use of meta-analyses, Seto and Lalumiere (2010) evaluated multiple studies that examined sex offenders. Emphasis was put on etiological explanations in the hopes of identifying factors associated with sex offending. Seto and Lalumiere’s (2010) findings help in creating effective programs to decrease recidivism rates.
There is much debate as to whether a sex offender should be released into the public, this debate stems from the idea that a sex offender cannot be treated and that they are a danger to the public as they are ‘purely evil’ (Burke, 2005), however there is much evidence that sex offenders can be treated and re-introduced into society as a productive member. Sex offender is a general term used to refer to any person who has been convicted of crimes involving sex, from rape and molestation to exhibitionism and pornography distribution. There are many theories which try to explain why people are sexual offenders, these theories along with treatments for sex offenders will be looked at to help explain why people sexually offend and to help evaluate whether sex offenders should be released.
Ever since the bill for having a Canadian Sex Offender Registry was passed, in December of 2004, it has been a heated debate in many boardrooms across the country. On the one hand, there are the defence attorneys deeming it slightly mentally damaging and unnecessary for their client(s). On the other side of the coin, there are the individuals claiming it to be a great idea if used in the correct manner. A sex offender registry is only useful when used correctly, with updated and accurate profiles, while remaining conscious of charter rights.
Sex offender legislation has been encouraged and written to protect the community and the people at large against recidivism and or to help with the reintegration of those released from prison. Nevertheless, a big question has occurred as to if the tough laws created help the community especially to prevent recidivism or make the situation even worse than it already is. Sex offenders are categorized into three levels for example in the case of the state of Massachusetts; in level one the person is not considered dangerous, and chances of him repeating a sexual offense are low thus his details are not made available to the public (Robbers, 2009). In level two chances of reoccurrence are average thus public have access to this level offenders through local police departments in level three risk of reoffense is high, and a substantial public safety interest is served to protect the public from such individuals.
Society needs to be made aware of the sexual offenses committed by women. As a society we need to make laws, programs and have people monitor these offenses. Society should treat woman sex offenders as outsiders, outcasts and the criminals that they are.
"US: Sex Offender Laws May Do More Harm Than Good." http://www.hrw.org. 2014, Human Rights Watch, 11 September 2007. Web. 13 Feb 2014. <
Due to the stigma that has been placed on sex offenders, society wants to understand two things, who sex offenders really are and the characteristic of a possible sex offender. They often want to know, some identifying facts so that they can spot these people and protect family members and themselves. However, according to the Center for Sex Offender Management (CSOM) (n.d.), there has been research that suggests there is no concrete profile of a sex offender. Due to this criminal behavior, being so diverse and heterogeneous, individuals who commit these crimes cannot be identified with the statement “these crimes are all alike” (CSOM, n.d.). Griffin and West (2006) also suggested that a sex offender is anybody who commits a sexual assault. They suggested that this criminal behavior is more frequent in the white population (52 percent) with the average age of thirty-one years old. Most reported sexual assaults are also typically males (92.2 percent) above the age of eighteen, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) (n.d.)
Martin, R. (1996). Pursuing Public Protection Through Mandatory Community Notification of Convicted Sex Offenders: The Trials and Tribulations of Megan's Law. The Boston Public Interest Law Journal, Vol. 6, Issue 29
Two of the sex offenders from the Worley study reported that during Halloween they are told by law enforcement to not answer the door or have outside lights on. Also, local television networks broadcast their picture to warn others of their sex offender status. This then leads to much embarrassment and shame, having their picture televised every year (Worley, R. M., & Worley, V. B., 2013). Today, anyone with Internet access can view and search the sex offender registries and this leads to the direct violation of privacy of these sex offenders. Not only are they tormented but their family members are as well. Their children are bullied at school and their spouses may be forced to quit their jobs (“US: Sex Offender Laws May Do More Harm Than Good,” 2007) As discussed earlier, the sex offender faces harassment and abuse constantly when they are placed on the sex offender
Harrison, K. (2007). "The High-Risk Sex Offender Strategy in England and Wales: Is Chemical Castration an Option?." The Howard Journal, 46(1), 16-31.