Megan's Law Essay

Introduction and description
Its relevance to social work, especially vulnerable populations

There is a correlation between Megan’s Law and how it relates to social work. Megan’s Law informs community members where sexual offenders reside and tries to keep offenders a safe distance from schools and children. The law demands child sexual offenders names are added to a registry. A social worker needs to understand how this law not only affects the victim of child abuse, but also the offender. A social worker works for children’s welfare. This may involve working directly with a child that has been assaulted and exposed to sexual trauma. A population that social workers often work with is children who are removed from their homes or in a home

with parental discord or violence. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, “children who do not live with both parents, as well as children living in homes marked by parental discord, divorce, or domestic violence, have a higher risk of being sexually abused” (page 171). The child’s needs have to be met and the children have to be in a safe environment. In addition to understanding and working with a child that has been sexually abused, a social workers job may be dealing with the sexual offender. This could involve working in a prison setting or working with a sexual offender who has been released from prison. The social worker may have to help a sexual offender return to the community. Megan’s Law has an impact on all of these individuals.

Explain the political context that led to implementation
Identify other contextual factors that led to policy enactment
Megan’s Law became a federal law in 1996.

This law is named for a child named Megan, who was raped and murdered by her next-door neighbor. Megan’s parents did not know the person living right next door to them was a child sexual offender. They felt that knowing this information may have saved their daughter. In order to save other children, Megan’s family worked to have the addresses of child sexual offenders made public. The family decided to take political action and got a law passed stating that child sex offenders need to be on a sexual offender registry. This notification system is for the public and also lets the community know when an offender is being released and where the offender will be living. The family managed to make this a law in every state in the United States. The family worked in their home state to make a law and then worked to make it a federal law. Megan’s Law was passed in 1994. Two years later “the U.S Congress passed Megan’s Law as an amendment to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children’s Act.” (Charles Montaldo). The Jacob Wetterling Act of 1994 was similar to Megan’s Law, however, Jacob’s Act stated the registry was only for law enforcement. The Megan’s Law amendment that was added to the Jacob’s Act required that every state in the United States have a child sexual offender registry and a notification system that informed the community when a child sexual offender was being released into the

community.

Explain the evolution of the policy (i.e. significant changes over time)
Discuss the factors that led to policy revisions
There are a few states who are making changes to Megan’s Law. One state that is currently working to make changes to Megan’s Law is Pennsylvania. The legislature is trying to pass an amendment that will improve Megan’s Law. These changes would address concerns individuals have about the sexual offender registry. Individuals are concerned that the registry did not focus on the most dangerous sex offenders and the registry was not well managed. One of the reasons individuals were concerned is because of the Jose Muniz case. In this case, Jose was convicted with two counts of assault to a 12-year-old girl. (Robert Swift) His crime and sentencing occured before a bill was added to Megan’s Law expanding and toughening reporting requirements and because of that his name had to be removed from the registry. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania said this addition to the Megan’s Law couldn’t be apply to crimes that occurred before 2012. The 2012 law extended registry time from 10 years to life. The legislature of Pennsylvania is adding a new bill to try to fix this. The bill requires sex offenders to stay registered with the state police. If this bill is passed 9,000 to 12,000 active offenders would stay on the registry. If the bill does not pass 17,000 to 22,000 active offenders would be removed from the list because of the Muniz decision.
http://www.altoonamirror.com/uncategorized/2018/02/senate-positions-megans-law-fix-for-vote/
Wisconsin has been trying to make some changes to reporting of child sexual assault or abuse. According to the 2015 Senate Bill 262, The Child Victims Act is trying to change the statute of limitations for sexual contact with children. Currently, under this statute victims may bring legal actions until the age of 35. Once a victim is over the age of 35, they could no longer seek assistance in the civil courts or criminal courts. The changes to this bill would remove the time limit for reporting an injury from sexual assault or contact as a child. There would be an unlimited time period for a victim to bring action for injury.
Is policy action or revision recommended for the selected policy?
Provide a rationale for your position.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/25/flaws-state-child-abuse-registries.html
Some states are working to change or improve Megan’s Law.

In order for this law to be effective a registry that is current and can be used easily by the public needs to be in place. However, there seems to be flaws with state’s child abuse registries. According to Fox News, a parent of two children found his name on the registry. An individual should be found guilty of a crime before being add to this registry. A person’s life may be gravely affected once their name is added to the registry. (CITE FOX NEWS) In addition, to finding wrong names on the registry, Amy Engeler reported “the biggest issues is keeping the registries up-to-date.” Some states are doing a better job of keeping their registries current; however, there are many states who are struggling to keep lists current. Unfortunately, offenders move and often do not report their correct address. Some offenders never even sign up in the first place. Many states report there are not enough resources to follow up with sexual offenders and make sure the registry is current. There needs to be resources and procedures in place to make sure offenders actually sign up for the registry and when they move make sure they reported their new and current

address.
In order for Megan’s Law to be effective and keep children safe, the registry needs to be current. It is important for communities to be able to keep track of sexual offenders who are at a high risk to repeat. There needs to be an effective and current registry.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/tips/a16724/problem-megans-law-dec05/