Sex offenders are the lepers of the 21st century – outcast and feared, with treatment elusive and at times inhumane. For centuries, the best medical minds thought leprosy was incurable – the first effective treatment emerged only in the 1940s – so colonies appeared, usually in remote places next to monasteries, where the lepers could live and die safely out of sight, out of mind. We don’t have a cure-all treatment for people who commit sex crimes, nor do we have sex-offender colonies. Perhaps we should. Full Opinion Piece More…
Read MoreYear: 2015
General Comments March 2015
Comments that are not specific to a certain post should go here, for the month of March 2015. Contributions should relate to the cause and goals of this organization and please, keep it courteous and civil.
Read MoreNH: It’s time to abolish where sex offenders can’t live
New Hampshire lawmakers are again debating measures that would ban communities from restricting where sex offenders can live. Typical restrictions bar sex offenders from living within a half-mile of places where kids gather: Schools, playgrounds, etc. At the risk of offending many readers, particularly those in Dover where sex offender residency requirements were repealed, we cautiously support this position. Full Article
Read MoreFear Dominates Politics, Media and Human Existence in America—And It’s Getting Worse
People cannot think clearly when they are afraid. As numerous studies have shown, fear is the enemy of reason. It distorts emotions and perceptions, and often leads to poor decisions. For people who have suffered trauma, fear messages can sometimes trigger uncontrollable flight-or-fight responses with dangerous ramifications. Yet over time, many interlocking aspects of our society have become increasingly sophisticated at communicating messages and information that produce fear responses. Advertising, political ads, news coverage and social media all send the constant message that people should be afraid—very afraid. Full Article
Read MoreSex Offender Registries Are Not Really Keeping Your Children Safe: Here’s Why
Since the publication of my blog post “Do Sex Offender Registries Reduce Recidivism?,” a question I have been asked is “Paul, isn’t it a good thing that I as a parent knows who is a sex offender living in my neighborhood so I can tell my child to stay away from that person?” My responses are that such knowledge is only a tip of the iceberg, or telling your child about that individual sex offender is like protecting your child with a BB gun; you might get lucky by using…
Read MoreJanice’s Journal: The California Supreme Court has spoken but what have they said?
The California Supreme Court has spoken but what have they said? The Court published two decisions today that were expected to determine whether residency restrictions are constitutional and if so, to whom do they apply as well as whether the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) may issue a blanket residency restriction to all registered citizens in San Diego while on parole. These issues are of vital importance to more than 100,000 registered citizens and their families. Unfortunately, the Court did not meet expectations because they failed to address…
Read MoreCA Supreme Court Decisions re. Residency Restrictions [Update II with Editorials]
The CA Supreme Court Decisions in the People v. Mosley and In re Taylor Cases are posted. Please stay tuned for commentary from California RSOL. People v. Mosley In re Taylor Related Media: Reports LA Times OC Register SF Chronicle SJ Mercury Riverside Press-Enterprise – with CA RSOL mention San Bernardino Sun UT San Diego Huffington Post SCPR CBS San Diego ABC San Diego reason.com KUSI San Diego KEYT (with video of Janice Bellucci and CA RSOL) Reactions / Editorials / Analysis George Runner – Author of Jessica’s Law (February…
Read MoreHave we gone nuts as a society? (Guest Column)
My mother was 15 when she married my dad, who was 19. A month later, he shipped out with the Marines and was gone nearly three years, fighting in the Pacific during World War II. I was born after his return. My parents had a long, happy marriage. That story would turn out differently today. At 19, John fell in love with a girl 15 years old. Her parents were content with their dating until the girl became pregnant. He was arrested for statutory rape, went to jail, was put…
Read MoreNH: Lawmakers debate lifting sex offender residency restrictions
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s legislature is once again debating measures that would ban municipalities from restricting where sex offenders can live, even as some other states are making such restrictions tougher. The legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is expected to send the proposals to the full House this week. The House last year supported the ban on residency restrictions by a vote of 231-97, but the Senate killed the bill by consigning it to an interim study. Full Article
Read MoreNV: Bill would repeal Adam Walsh sex-offender act
After years of languishing in Nevada courts, legislators are reconsidering sex-offender laws affecting juveniles and the way criminals are ranked and registered. State Sen. Richard “Tick” Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, and Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, R-Las Vegas, introduced Senate Bill 99 in February to repeal the state’s version of the federal Adam Walsh Act. Critics have said the law disenfranchises juveniles who could be reformed, and many think the way the law categorizes offenders — based on the crimes committed rather than risk of re-offending — might not really serve the public…
Read MoreAZ: Pastor who helped ex-cons, sex-offenders killed in home invasion
A pastor known for his outreach to addicts, homeless ex-convicts and sex offenders was killed Friday night in a home invasion in central Phoenix. Jack Moriarty, whose imposing figure, tattoos and thick goatee made him look more like a biker than a preacher, was shot to death at about 8:30 p.m. Friday after two unknown suspects entered a home near 20th Avenue and Monroe Street, police said. Full Article
Read MoreCalifornia Legislature Will Not Consider Tiered Registry Bill This Year
The deadline for the introduction of new bills has passed and there is no tiered registry bill for consideration by the California legislature during this two-year session. “Despite strong efforts by the CA Sex Offender Management Board (CASOMB), an author for the tiered registry bill could not be found,” stated Janice Bellucci, President of California RSOL. “The next opportunity to introduce the bill is projected to be 2017.” The CASOMB strongly recommended the creation of a tiered registry in a report issued in April 2014. CASOMB repeated its recommendation In…
Read MoreCA Supreme Court Decision Regarding Residency Restrictions Due March 2
The California Supreme Court has officially announced that it will publish on Monday, March 2, two decisions regarding residency restrictions. The decisions are expected to determine the following issues: (1) whether residency restrictions are constitutional, (2) to whom do the restrictions apply and (3) if the restrictions can be applied to every registered citizen while on parole. The Court heard oral arguments in the case on December 2 in Los Angeles. During oral arguments in the case of People v. Mosley, the Attorney General’s office argued that residency restrictions are…
Read MoreDE: Misguided legislation won’t protect children
This week, my graduate seminar at the University of Delaware hosted several scholars who study sex trafficking, both trafficking laws and the people they affect. Together, this group of scholars and activists from around the world share some common concerns about what happens when well-meaning policymakers use the wrong tools to address problems. Sen. Chris Coons has the opportunity to address one aspect of this with the bill pending now in the Senate Foreign Relations committee, H.R.515, International Megan’s Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking. While the proposed…
Read MoreCASOMB: Year End Report (2014)
The beginning of 2015 is an opportune time to provide an update and overview of activities, plans and recommendations of the California Sex Offender Management Board (CASOMB) and the State Authorized Risk Assessment Tool for Sex Offenders Committee (SARATSO). The picture of sex offender management in the state is a complex one with many moving parts. This Report touches on many of those components. It is anticipated, however, that actions by the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of California government over the coming months will cause new issues to emerge…
Read MoreTeens Who Sext Are Child Pornographers? (Op-Ed)
Thanks to our mistaken belief that no one under 18 can have any legitimate sexual feelings—and hence any sex they’ve engaged in was coerced and bound to render unspeakable emotional harm—we have laws on the books like this one in Wisconsin, according to USA Today (boldface mine, all mine!): In 2012, state lawmakers passed into law a mandatory, minimum three-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography. Previously, judges had the discretion to order lesser penalties depending on the circumstances. That means a 17-year-old who receives explicit images from a younger friend…
Read MoreNY: Senate passes Sex Offender Legislation
Albany, N.Y. – The New York State Senate passed a bill Thursday granting municipalities the authority to establish residency restrictions for registered sex offenders. Sen. Rich Funke (R-NY 55th District) first announced the bill Monday alongside Penfield Supervisor Tony LaFountain. Penfield is working on a child safety act that would prevent level two and three sex offenders from living in designated child-safe zones, which would be 2,000 feet away from any schools, parks, playgrounds, town facilities or daycare centers. Full Article
Read MoreSex Offenders Employ Simple Techniques to Change Identity
Sexual offenses – particularly those against children – are among the most reprehensible of crimes. Two techniques that sex offenders use to escape detection from the law are manipulating their ID and residing at addresses other than those reported to authorities, a nationwide study found. Donald Rebovich, Ph.D., professor of criminal justice and executive director of the Center for Identity Management and Information Protection (CIMIP) at Utica College, conducted the study, “Hiding in Plain Sight? A Nationwide Study of the Use of Identity Manipulation by Registered Sex Offenders.” Rebovich worked…
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