ADVOCACY GROUP WANTS NON-VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS TAKEN OFF REGISTRY
By Jeffrey Grass, Esq.
Nov. 8, 2012 4:27p
ADVOCACY GROUP WANTS NON-VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS TAKEN OFF REGISTRY
On behalf of Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass posted in Sex Crimes on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The state of Texas has some of the highest numbers of registered sex offenders in the country. The public sex offender registry run by the Texas Department of Public Safety requires convicted sex offenders to provide personal information and often places a burden of shame and embarrassment on those required to register.
A majority of convicted sex offenders required to register are not violent offenders but are still required to register for the rest of their lives. These individuals are required to check in with law enforcement and provide very personal information on the state's public website. Many people in society find it difficult to stand up for convicted sex offenders' rights but one Texas advocacy group is taking a stand.
The Texas Voices For Reason and Justice is an advocacy watch-dog group for non-violent sex offenders in Texas. The group advocates for non-violent sex offenders to be taken off the state's sex offender registry, citing several reasons why non-violent offenders should not be required to register.
The group has been calling for the state to change their laws regarding sex offender requirements and who is required to register. The group says that many registered sex offenders are not dangerous and are even considered to be non-violent offenders by the state.
The group's founder says that the current sex offender registry "gives the public a false sense of security," and since so many offenders are required to register, Texas police cannot keep up with monitoring the individuals registered. This is why the group calls for Texas laws to focus on registering and monitoring violent sex offenders and those who are likely to re-offend.
Requiring all convicted sex offenders to register makes many offenders face the stigma of being seen by society as a monster. Many non-violent offenders say they feel embarrassed, shamed and fearful at times since the public has access to such personal information, including their home address.
In addition to the fear and shame many convicted sex offenders face, being required to register on the state's sex offender website makes it more difficult for them to find a job and a safe place to live.
There may be some hope for the future of non-violent offenders required to register as sex offenders in Texas. Last year, Texas launched a program to permanently take some sex offenders off the registry. So far, 75 sex offenders have applied to be removed from the registry but only six applicants have been approved to be permanently taken off the sex offender registry.
Source: KENS 5, "Defending the indefensible? Plea to clean sex offender registry," Jeff Goldblatt, Nov. 2, 2012
Tags: sex crimes,
sex offender
