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Public Attitudes and Perceptions towards Sex Offenders

Introduction

The paper is an attempt to gain insight on the prevalent public attitudes and perception towards the sex offenders.

Discussion

How do you define Sex Offenders?

Sex offender is a, “Generic term for all persons convicted of crimes involving sex, including rape, molestation, sexual harassment and pornography production or distribution” (Farlex, Dictionary, 2012). Many states in the US require convicted sex offenders to report to local police authorities periodically. In view of the above definition it can be said that offenders are classified as such, when they commit a sex crime. Though, the definition of a sex crime is subjective to the cultural practices and the concurrent legal definitions of the place in question. Some states formulate their laws regarding sex crimes, into broader categories. These categories are broken down into a three tier system. Some states consider a person who is convicted of minor crimes of sexual nature or pretext, as a sex offender. Thus, the variability in laws and cultural inclinations of an area, change the relative definition of a 'sex offender'.

Certain behaviors and actions regarding sex crimes do result in a convicts' mandatory classification as a 'sex offender'. These convictions are:

In circumstances of two prostitution convictions. The second time, leads to the 'sex offender' classification of the convict;

An illicit relationship between a teenager and an adult. If the adult is young, than the age difference between the two should be less than 1,060 days. Though, if any sexual contact is initiated by the adult than the act is classified as 'child molestation';

Sexual assault conviction;

Bestiality;

Statutory rape;

Incest;

Rape;

Child sexual abuse, and;

Other forms of sexual impositions.

A person found committing such acts and thus convicted is adjudged as a 'sexual offender' by the law as a mandatory requirement.

States realize their strict measures towards sexual offenders and agree to an extent that over-prosecution is practiced in the concerned regard. Thus need for reforms on the classification of 'Sex Offenders' is a point of discussion within the law making bodies in several states. The idea behind such reforms is to focus on crimes that involve a victim. These reforms are essential to prevent laws that convict and label citizens who commit victimless minor offenses. Examples, of which include a prosecution of a father in Deltona, Florida. This citizen urinated in a public place after consuming alcohol (Kiesler, 2006). The implications of this city ordinance conviction could make him move his house. Since, strict Deltona city laws prohibit sex offenders to reside at least 2500 feet away from local schools, bus stops, parks or playgrounds and day care centers (Kiesler, 2006).

Recidivism by sexual offenders is a cause for concern. The term 'recidivism' explains a convict's relapse into criminal behavior, even after receiving sanctions and penalties for the first conviction (National Institute of Justice, 2010). Before dwelling on the subject with perspective of 'sex offenders', it is appropriate to review statistics regarding recidivism among all released prisoners. A study by Bureau of Justice Statistics on recidivism that ...