A recent story highlights the issue that restrictions on housting for child sex offenders may not do much good as studies show most know their victims already. From the Boston Herald:
New Hampshire authorities say recent ordinances to prohibit sex offenders from living near schools and parks probably won’t stop most assaults against children.
Boscawen, Franklin, Tilton and Northfield have recently adopted ordinances prohibiting sex offenders from living near gathering places for children. Dover adopted regulations two years ago.
But authorities say most sex offenders know their victims.
Authorities note that of the 19 people indicted in Merrimack County for sexually assaulting a juvenile in the last year, all knew the victim. The child was a relative, lived nearby or was the friend of the family. None is charged with assaulting a child met at a school, park or library.
"We have rapists that jump out of the bushes, but that is rare," said Allenstown Police Chief Shaun Mulholland. "The vast majority of offenses are committed on people (offenders) know. I don’t think this is the solution to the problem. I don’t see any redeeming value in this."
But Tilton police Capt. Owen Wellington disagrees.
"It’s an ounce of prevention toward people’s awareness and their ability to feel safe in their community," he said.
For more of the story and counterarguments, click here.
Of the 19 mentioned, there is no indication given whether they were registered sex offenders--an omission I find odd, but not surprising. I would guess none have a previous sex crime conviction--which would square with known data--so it wouldn't matter if each of the nineteen crimes were committed on school grounds. Res-res don't apply to those who haven't been convicted.
Posted by: Ilah | July 24, 2007 at 12:31 PM