The Problem With The National Sex Offender Registry
Start writing a post
popular

The Problem With The National Sex Offender Registry

Should children be required to register as sex offenders?

2001
The Problem With The National Sex Offender Registry
Yahoo

The purpose of the national sex offender registry is to inform the public of potentially dangerous individuals who have previously committed sex crimes. Due to the nature of pedophilia and high recidivism rates of dangerous sex offenders, it is important to keep track of these individuals, however, the registry may be doing more harm than good. Information available on the NSOPW (National Sex Offender Public Website) includes the offenders' home address, registered vehicles and photographs, all of which must be kept up to date. Because this information is public and accessible to anyone, offenders have trouble finding housing and/or jobs and stigmas follow them around for life. While some may be deserving of this punishment due to their violent crimes, others are not, specifically those who commit sex crimes at a young age.

Human Rights Watch published a report regarding children who are forced to register as sex offenders despite the especially low recidivism rate of those who offend as children. They cite Jacob in their report, a resident of Michigan who was tried for touching, without penetrating, his sister's genitals when he was 11-years-old. He was placed on the sex offender registry and when he was 18, the report was made public. Since then, his life has been riddled with hardships as a result of the registry such as struggling to find employment and fighting for custody of his daughter.

In her article for the Boston Review titled "When Kids are Sex Offenders", Sally Mairs cites others who have faced similar struggles with the registry: a 15-year-old girl was charged with manufacturing and disseminating child pornography after taking and posting nude photos of herself and is now facing registration for life, a now 28-year-old woman was charged with criminal sexual contact when she was 10 years old for "flashing" and simulating sex with her 8 and 5-year-old stepbrothers and is required to register until she is 35, and a 13-year old girl was arrested for rape after having consensual sex with her 12-year-old boyfriend, her boyfriend was also charged.

Passing legislation that makes punishment for sex crimes more lenient is controversial, but there has been some success. For example, many states have a version of what are known as Romeo and Juliet laws which can potentially lessen a statutory rape conviction. The argument is that a 17-year-old boy who has consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl should not face the same punishment as a 45-year-old man who has sex with a 15-year-old girl, again, provided that it is consensual. Many states, however, failed to pass laws protecting homosexual relationships in the same way.

Some argue that passing more lenient legislation allowing offenders to keep their names off the registry is irresponsible and could result in more sex crimes and the inability to track repeat offenders. Although those are valid concerns, Romeo and Juliet laws do not prevent serial rapists and pedophiles from having to register, they only prevent minors from being excessively punished for minor age differences.

No law is perfect and compromise is necessary, but lives should not be ruined by being required to register as a sex offender for a trivial offense committed while still a minor. Sexual abuse and child molestation are real problems that need real solutions, but consensual sex between minors and acts committed by young children should not affect an individual for a lifetime.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71380
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133457
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments