Sex offender hysteria?

Question

I've heard some quotes from media personalities and politicians that as many as 90% of sex offenders - re-offend. The reality is that, according to every statistic I've ever seen, 'sex offenders' are no more likely to commit another sex crime, than murderers are to commit another murder. Why then, don't we have a murderer registry?

http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/060516_predator_panic.html

Answer 1

I agree...

Drunk drivers are more likely to re-offend and there's no DUI registry (or signs on their car so we can look out for them)

Wife beaters - regular re-offenders. Where's the wife beater registry so the ladies can avoid them?

Burglars - notorious repeat offenders. I'd like to know when one moves into my neighborhood.

the list could go on. So, if the purpose of the sex offender registry is really to protect the public AND if it is working; why not apply the same concept to every other crime. Could it be that there is indeed a "sex offender" hysteria out there and that this is nothing more than some warm-fuzzy legislation to create the appearance of hard on crime when no such hardness exists.

Are the sex offenders the scape goats of criminal justice because nobody will stand to defend them lest they be counted among them?

Answer 2

The recidvism rate for sex offenders is less than 15% without treatment and less than 5% with treatment, so it stands to reason that there should be other registries as well. I think the question that we should ask is this: do we really want to live in a world where there is no chance for redemption? Any crime-based registry would prevent that from happening; especially if one is never removed from that registry. This isnt to say that some people shouldnt be under the watchful eye of the authorities (there are indeed very disturbed people in this world), but a registry that is meant for the public does little to help prevent crimes, instead it can create more crime through acts of vigilantism.

Answer 3

Interesting argument. But consider also that most murderers have pretty long sentences, and are also on parole or probation once they get out of prison (after 5-20 years). Most sex offenses have relatively short jail or prison sentences, and the registries are ways for people to know where possible predators are.

But it's a good argument.

Answer 4

Because as a Society, we accept Violent behavior- much more readily, than we do sexual. And when we observe someone doing something sexual that WE don't understand, then WE feel "threatend". -Like on TV; showing blood & guts- is fine... -but show a "wardrobe malfunction" & THAT'S when it starts showing up on U-Tube ! :(

Answer 5

You know you are right. They should have that also because you would want to know who's living by you or in your neighborhood!