NCJ Number
240358
Journal
Victims and Offenders Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: July - September 2012 Pages: 312-326
Date Published
July 2012
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined the views of sexual assault victims to sex offender registries.
Abstract
The popularity of sex offender registries within the general populace is well established in the literature; numerous researchers have examined the views of the public, mental health professionals, policymakers, sex offenders, and offenders' family members. However, the voices of survivors have not been equitably heard. To remedy this gap in professional knowledge, an online survey was conducted with nearly 600 sexual violence survivors to determine (1) their opinions on various components of sex offender registration and (2) if registries impacted their decisions to report to law enforcement. Findings indicate the survivors were hesitant to support the ability of registries to deter future sexual perpetration. While survivors strongly believed that registries create a false sense of security, they also felt all offenders, regardless of their relationship to the victim, should be required to register. Statistical analyses illustrate that very few survivors indicated that the registry had any impact on their decisions to report to law enforcement. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.