At least 300,000 cases of child sex abuse are reported in the U.S. each year — and the real number of children who are molested is likely far higher. But while laws get tougher all the time, very little is known about how to treat sex offenders in order to prevent these crimes. Dr. Renee Sorrentino is medical director of the Institute for Sexual Wellness in Massachusetts and a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. TIME spoke with her about the research on sex-offender treatment and her work…
Read MoreMonth: June 2013
‘Apostrophe laws’ named for kid victims on the wane
When Amanda Moore concluded that her daughter’s killer was a drug addict wrongly paroled and wrongly allowed to remain free, she did like many parents before her: she proposed legislation to spare others the same fate. She named it for her child: Amelia’s Law. For the past two decades, parents who’ve lost children in horrible ways have tried to memorialize them in law, and Americans usually have honored their wishes. Dozens of state and federal statutes are named for children who died too soon: Megan’s Law and Jessica’s Law, the…
Read MoreWhy Queers Should Care About Sex Offenders
“So, how are the pedophiles doing?” As a group psychotherapist for convicted sex offenders on parole and probation who also operates a private practice for queer people, I am bombarded with comments and questions from friends and family: “Aren’t you scared?” “I could never do that.” “What’s it like to talk to all those child molesters?” At first I was surprised to hear some of my most educated, liberal friends ask questions that were, to me, biased and misinformed. I had assumed that, as queers and allies, my friends would have a…
Read MoreVictims not keen on long prison terms
A survey that a crime victims’ group described as the first of its kind in California yielded some findings contrary to conventional wisdom Thursday: Most victims question the benefits of imprisoning more criminals and prefer rehabilitation, education and Gov. Jerry Brown’s realignment program. “This report turns on its head the notion that victims care only about tough-on-crime sentences,” said Lenore Anderson, director of Californians for Safety and Justice, the nonprofit that commissioned the poll. Full Article
Read MoreEarly Bird Registration now open for RSOL Conference in Los Angeles
California RSOL will be hosting this year’s RSOL Conference, from August 29 to September 1. The Conference will take place in Los Angeles, near LAX, and will provide an opportunity to interact and network with researchers, mental health professionals, criminal justice practitioners and advocates interested in reforming current law, policy, and treatment of former sexual offenders. We are certain that all will benefit from this opportunity to share, learn, and strategize with others from around the country. Early Bird registration is now open, until July 30, with significant savings for early…
Read MoreSenate votes to move forward on farm bill that sets policy for farm subsidies, food stamps
NOTE: This bill would make persons previously convicted of certain (sex) crimes ineligible for food stamps / assistance. WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Thursday to move forward on a wide-ranging, five-year farm bill. The legislation advanced on a 75-22 procedural vote that sets up a vote to pass the measure next Monday. The bill would cost almost $100 billion annually and would set policy for farm subsidies, food stamps and other farm and food aid programs. Full Article Related: No food stamps for murderers and sex offenders under new farm bill?
Read MoreReason versus Rage
The sexual victimization of children is a subject so horrifying that it’s difficult even to address. As a society, we approach it from two extremes. Most of the time we avoid it. When forced to confront it, we run to the opposite extreme, flying into a rage, voices full of fury. The sexual victimization of children is a subject so horrifying that it’s difficult even to address. As a society, we approach it from two extremes. Most of the time we avoid it. When forced to confront it, we run…
Read MorePalmdale Ordinance Repeal is Final
The City of Palmdale has repealed its sex offender ordinance, which included both residency and presence restrictions. The repeal is permanent and therefore registrants are no longer required to meet any of the ordinance’s requirements. “Palmdale has chosen to follow the path started by Lake Forest in December 2012,” stated Janice Bellucci, President of CA RSOL. “As such, Palmdale is one of many cities that now realize that the ordinances they passed did not increase public safety and denied the civil rights of registrants.” The Palmdale City Council voted…
Read MoreSen. Jim Beall’s Statute of Limitations Bill to Sue Child Molesters Makes Progress
Legislation to overhaul the statute of limitations so adult survivors of child molestation can seek justice in civil courts against their abusers approved by Senate Judiciary Committee. Legislation by state Sen. Jim Beall to overhaul the statute of limitations so adult survivors of child molestation can seek justice in civil courts against their abusers was passed earlier this month by the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Senate Bill 131 changes California’s antiquated statute of limitations on civil claims brought forward for childhood sexual abuse,’’ said Beall, whose District 15 includes Los Gatos. Full…
Read MoreNo food stamps for murderers and sex offenders under new farm bill?
A farm bill amendment is supposedly aimed at curbing rampant welfare fraud and abuse, but advocacy groups see it as another setback for the recovering incarcerated population. An amendment to the pending farm bill that would deny food stamps to convicted murderers, rapists and pedophiles is receiving stiff opposition. Full Article
Read MoreSCOTUS upholds DNA testing for serious arrests
The U.S. Constitution does not prohibit states from building large DNA databases by collecting samples from everyone arrested for serious crimes, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision Monday. The case produced an unusual divide on the court, with liberal Justice Stephen Breyer joining the court’s Republican appointed justices who upheld the practice and conservative Justice Antonin Scalia writing a bitter dissent joined by most of the court’s liberals. Full Article
Read MoreGeneral Comments June 2013
Comments that are not specific to a certain post should go here, for the month of June 2013. Contributions should relate to the cause and goals of this organization and please, keep it courteous and civil.
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