NCJ Number
167672
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1996) Pages: 91-100
Date Published
1996
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article discusses public notification of convicted sexual offenders' release to the community.
Abstract
This paper was prepared by the Safer Society Foundation, Inc., which advocates for community safety, victim restitution and treatment, and quality comprehensive sexual offender treatment. While the foundation supports adult sexual offender registration laws in general, it is totally opposed to public notification laws. This document is designed to assist States considering public notification, or States that have enacted such laws, and to explore related issues and the impact of public notification on the greater community, including citizens, families, victims and offenders. The article contains an extensive list of some of the issues to consider regarding public notification of sexual offender release, including: (1) Origins of Public Notification; (2) Lack of Supporting Data Determining the Efficacy of Public Notification; (3) Cost; (4) Subsequent Violence; (5) Extension to Other Crimes; (6) Constitutional Rights; (7) False Sense of Security; (8) Impact on Victims; (9) Risk Determination; and (10) Misplaced Responsibility.