Should Convicted Sex Offenders Names Be Made Public
Should Convicted Sex Offenders Names be Made Public? University of Phoenix
Jessica Folds
COM 172
August 23, 2010
Dr. Fenton Dixon
Should Convicted Sex Offender’s Names be Made Public? American’s encompass diverse opinions on whether a convicted sex offender’s name should be made public. “Although passionately espoused arguments exist on all sides of the issue, very little academic or policy research has been conducted on the actual positive and negative effects of Internet notification” (Irwin, Delson, Kokish, Tobin, 2004, p. 4). According to the research, several causes exist for keeping convicted sex offender’s names private. However, for the purpose of this essay, the writer will investigate the following: (1) anxiety; (2) information; (3) distress, and (4) trauma. Awareness of these causes and supporting arguments could be significant for determining what direction to pursue. First, publically displaying convicted sex offender’s names cause unnecessary anxiety, not only to the offender, but also to the public. Citizens in society often feel more anxious knowing that there is a convicted sex offender residing in the vicinity around them. Most often citizens do not know the specifics of the crime the offender has been charged with. Offenders can have their name put on the registry list for something as undemanding as mooning. With the citizens not knowing the circumstances they are panic stricken for no legitimate reason. “As sex offender registration and public notification laws begin to identify an increasing number of offenders, these laws will create increasing levels of panic and possibly may begin to terrorize communities” (Freeman-Longo, 2000, p. 8). Second, with the increasing number of convicted sex offenders registering, there is also an increased risk for publicizing inaccurate information. If a convicted sex offender provides the incorrect address when registering then an innocent person’s address
Jessica Folds
COM 172
August 23, 2010
Dr. Fenton Dixon
Should Convicted Sex Offender’s Names be Made Public? American’s encompass diverse opinions on whether a convicted sex offender’s name should be made public. “Although passionately espoused arguments exist on all sides of the issue, very little academic or policy research has been conducted on the actual positive and negative effects of Internet notification” (Irwin, Delson, Kokish, Tobin, 2004, p. 4). According to the research, several causes exist for keeping convicted sex offender’s names private. However, for the purpose of this essay, the writer will investigate the following: (1) anxiety; (2) information; (3) distress, and (4) trauma. Awareness of these causes and supporting arguments could be significant for determining what direction to pursue. First, publically displaying convicted sex offender’s names cause unnecessary anxiety, not only to the offender, but also to the public. Citizens in society often feel more anxious knowing that there is a convicted sex offender residing in the vicinity around them. Most often citizens do not know the specifics of the crime the offender has been charged with. Offenders can have their name put on the registry list for something as undemanding as mooning. With the citizens not knowing the circumstances they are panic stricken for no legitimate reason. “As sex offender registration and public notification laws begin to identify an increasing number of offenders, these laws will create increasing levels of panic and possibly may begin to terrorize communities” (Freeman-Longo, 2000, p. 8). Second, with the increasing number of convicted sex offenders registering, there is also an increased risk for publicizing inaccurate information. If a convicted sex offender provides the incorrect address when registering then an innocent person’s address
References: Burns, M. (2009). Q & A about Sex Offender Laws. Retrieved from http://www.solresearch.org/~SOLR/QnA.asp?group=50 Freeman-Longo, R. E. (2000). Revisiting Megan 's Law and Sex Offender Registration: Prevention or Problem. Retrieved from https://www.appa-net.org/eweb/docs/appa/pubs/RML.pdf Irwin, N., Delson, N., Kokish, R., & Tobin, T. (2004). Using the Internet to Provide Passive Community Notification about Registered Sex Offenders. Retrieved from http://www.ccoso.org/papers/usingtheinternet.html Nordheimer, J. (1995). Vigilante Attack in New Jersey is Linked to Sex Offenders Law. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/11/nyregion/vigilante-attack-in-new-jersey-is-linked-to-sex-offenders-law.html