The Conservative government’s plan to create a publicly-accessible database of child sex offenders will do little if anything to deter sex crimes and could actually lead to an increase in offences, an Ottawa-based defence lawyer warns.
Michael Spratt, who has testified at numerous parliamentary committees on criminal legislation, says the sex registry is being sold as a way to protect children and assist parents, but it is nothing more than “false advertising.”
The Conservative government’s legislation, introduced Wednesday, would create a publicly-accessible database of high-risk child sex offenders. It would also require registered sex offenders to provide more information when they travel abroad and permit more sharing of information between federal agencies. Full Article
What a shame the Canadian politicians have jumped on the “protecting the children” bandwagon. It is a cheap way to get votes. The justice minister didn’t even bother to address the research, he just said, “I’m on the side of parents and children.” Doesn’t matter that they are on the misinformed and uneducated side. He also said that the public registry will help law enforcement to know who is a convicted offender… Dunce! Law Enforcement already knows! Canadians will soon be spending huge amounts of taxpayer dollars for ineffective measures. The politicians don’t care, they are probably becoming millionaires while… Read more »
Hi Margaret Moon:
This is just another example of a far reaching decision being made without knowing the facts and without any empirical studies being done or reviewed on the subject. This is irresponsibility on the part of the justice minister. He should know better. There is no excuse with all the evidence that proves this will be ineffective and very costly. This man is selling scores of people (including children) into a life of hardship and misery because he want’s to look good, like he is doing a good job.
Crime is going to keep happening… even if we take barbaric methods of sterilizing, locking up all the kids… the cops abuse, priest abuse, family members abuse, doctors and dentists abuse, bus drivers abuse, judges abuse, prison guards abuse, kids abuse.. hell everyone is capable of sex assault on anyone.. O_o
Yes, with greater surveillance, maybe our government can round up the 90% or so who are first time offenders, potentially populating the registry with 7.5 million people. they would have to bring in the military and NSA resources to help monitor them all…
That would be a sight to see! I’m talking about 7.5 million registrants. An organized group that large would be a power to be reckoned with. That is if we could get organized.