From Dark Past to Bright Future: A Non-Adult Sex Offender’s Story

Topic covered: sex offender, registry

At first thought, community notification laws requiring that convicted sex offenders have their name listed on a publicly accessible registry might seem like a great idea. Who wouldn’t want to protect children from sexual abuse by strangers or repeat offenders?

Nearly 30 years later, research and data show clearly that the biggest risk of sexual abuse children face is from their own family members or trusted authority figures (i.e., teachers, babysitters, coaches, etc.), NOT someone who has previously been convicted of a sex offense. Not a neighbor or someone living in an apartment building 3 blocks away. Sex offender registries provide a false sense of security.

Truly protecting children from sexual abuse requires a much more comprehensive and considerate approach than listing names of convicted offenders.

Myth: Once a sex offender, always a sex offender.
Reality: 3 out of 4 adult offenders do not reoffend.

Myth: Treatment for sex offenders doesn’t work.
Reality: Treatment can be effective, even for people who have committed serious sex crimes.

Myth: Anyone whose name is in the sex offender registry is dangerous.
Reality: A registered sex offender can be someone who did a non-violent crime, such as exposing themselves as a high school prank, a teenager who had consensual sex with another teenager, a prostitute, or someone who urinated in public.

Sex offender registries do more harm than good. They destroy the lives of former offenders, who are required to register for life. Most people on registries only have one conviction, no re-offenses, and often no other criminal record. The registries split families. They cause suicides, homelessness, joblessness, and severe isolation and depression. In short, sex offender registries are cruel and inhumane.

Our society gives second chances to people who have committed other types of crimes like murder or terrorism, served their time, completed treatment, made repayments, and/or satisfied probation or parole requirements. When it comes to sex offenders, the depth of punishment, ostracism, and dehumanizing treatment they are accorded is incomparable.

In this raw video, Jason talks candidly about the impact the sex registry has had on him – and shares a life-changing update since his first video 3 years ago.

#endsexregistry #secondchance

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