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| Our Position on Sexual Crimes It is important to understand that we do not in any way condone or excuse abuse of any form, especially of a sexual nature; all abuse is intolerable. We do not make excuses for former offenders or their offense. SOhopeful of New York advocates for effective sex offender laws which are based on fact rather than myth and hysteria. We firmly support the original version of New York's Megan's Law which required sex offenders to register for ten years and for information about high risk offenders to be made readily available to the public. We believe that the public sex offender registry has become less effective as it has lost its focus on those which present the greatest danger. We believe that for the public registry to be most useful, it should not include lower risk offenders or those who have lived offense free in the community for ten or more years. We firmly support the education of the public about sex offenders and the nature of sexual abuse. It is important for public safety for the public to know that the face of danger is more likely to be in a family snapshot than in a mug shot on a sex offender registry. The kidnapping or sexual abuse of a child by a stranger is very rare. According to a report from the U.S. Dept. of Justice, of the sexual offenses committed against children in 2000, 34.2% of the perpetrators were family members and 58.7% were friends of the family (or other adults the children knew). In the age range for sex-related crime victims of 6 to 11 year olds, only 4.7% of their molesters were strangers and in the age range of 0 to 5 years of age, only 3.1% of the perpetrators were strangers. We want former offenders to succeed, because if they do not, that means there will be another victim. Experts agree that former offenders are most likely to succeed if they are able to re-establish stable lives with stable housing, employment, and family and social support. The good news is that, contrary to myth, most former offenders do not re-offend. New York State reports that 89% of even those offenders regarded as "high risk" (Level 3) are not arrested for a new sex crime within 8 years of their date of first registration. (More on sex offender recidivism in New York State). We oppose sex offender residency laws for those no longer on parole or probation. Many law enforcement groups and victim advocate groups oppose residency laws because they are ineffective and counter-productive. They actually make communities less safe. (More on residency laws). |
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Facts about Megan's Law and Sex Offenders in New York State Universal Precautions: A Common Sense Approach to Preventing Abuse |
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For more information contact C. David Hess Representative of SOhopeful of New York dhess@rochester.rr.com |
