Comments that are not specific to a certain post should go here, for the month of May 2018. Contributions should relate to the cause and goals of this organization and please, keep it courteous and civil.
Read MoreCategory: General News
Hey, NJ — ‘Dead Kids Make Bad Laws’
The above quote isn’t mine, and I would give attribution except that I don’t know who originally said it, but it is so true. Dead kids usually make for emotional, broad brush laws that do more harm than good. I know that in NJ we feel proud of ourselves that we are the state that pioneered the sex-offender registry called Megan’s Law, the law that arose from tragedy in 1994, when 7-year-old Megan Kanka of Hamilton Township was raped and killed by Jesse Timmendeques, a neighbor. But anytime tragedy befalls…
Read MoreIA: Convicted Sex Offender Allowed to Volunteer at Iowa Schools
[usnews.com 4/27/18] WELLMAN, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa teacher purged from the state’s sex offender list has been allowed to volunteer at an eastern Iowa school district. The Des Moines Register reports that _____ has been helping out in the Mid-Prairie schools district, which is based in Wellman. The district granted him special permission to volunteer, after receiving letters of support. Superintendent Mark Schneider says he has informed school principals that Yo_____ der must be with another adult at all times. Read more
Read MoreState Department Files Motion to Dismiss IML Lawsuit (Updated)
UPDATE 06/07: The date of the IML hearing has been changed from June 25 to July 9 at the government’s request. The State Department today filed a Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit which challenges the International Megan’s Law (IML) on procedural grounds. A hearing on the Motion to Dismiss is scheduled for June 25 in Los Angeles. In its motion, the State Department asserts that its final rule issued in September 2016 is consistent with the IML and that its press release issued in October 2017 that included the language of…
Read MoreSex Offense Registry Fact Sheet – April 2018
[floridaactioncommittee.org 4/24/18] Emily Horowitz, author and Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice, has put together the Registry Fact Sheet linked to below. This is a very well researched, comprehensive document that is full of useful information (including authorities) that you can cite to when contacting your legislators, the media or anyone you communicate on sex offender issues with. Read more
Read MoreSecond Women Against Registry National Conference is August 17-19, 2018
[womenagainstregistry.org] Read the full description [note: Janice is speaking!] Theme: Empowerment & Momentum ~ A March to Victory Announcing The 2nd Women Against Registry National Conference St. Louis Missouri (Maryland Heights area) August 17, 18, & 19 Early Registration Open Now April 1 – May 31…………….…..………$125 After June 1………………..……….……$150 A Great Opportunity to Network, Learn, & be Inspired DON’T MISS IT! Fri. August 17, 2018; 1:00-5:00 PM Sat. August 18, 2018; 8:00-5:00 PM Sun. August 19, 2018; 8:00-12:00 PM The schedule for the 2018 Conference is in the planning stages…
Read MoreWith A.I. and Criminal Justice, the Devil Is in the Data
[aclu.org 4/9/18] If we have learned anything in the last decade about our criminal justice system, it is how astonishingly dysfunctional it is. Extensive investigations have revealed persistent racial disparities at every stage, a different kind of justice for the haves and the have nots, and a system that neither rehabilitates individuals nor ensures public safety. In short, the system is in crisis. Rather than scrapping everything and starting anew, many criminal justice stakeholders have turned to technology to repair the breach through “risk assessment tools.” Also labeled artificial intelligence,…
Read MoreFacts, statistics and links regarding sexual offending
[narsol.org] The palm card is a collection of the most salient facts regarding sexual offending, quickly available for reference or for distribution. Since space is at a premium, citation references are omitted with one citation being given that will point here. Read the statistics
Read MoreSex Offender Laws are Grounded in Cruelty, NOT Reality (A Response to the Oklahoman OpEd)
[once-fallen.blogspot.com 4/23/18] Back on April 10th, The Oklahoman published a biased pro-registry Op-Ed entitled “Sex Offender Laws Grounded in Reality, not Cruelty.” I wrote and submitted a rebuttal piece but they’re too cowardly to publish the truth. Thus, I thought I’d share the OpEd here: Sex Offender Laws are Grounded in Cruelty, NOT Reality By Derek W. Logue of OnceFallen.com, Anti-Registry Activist In response to a similarly titled Op-Ed, I wish to counter that numerous CO registry laws were properly struck down as unconstitutional in a US District Court and…
Read MoreCollateral Banishment of Spouses and Children
[sosen.org 4/23/18] I don’t read the comments on articles about “sex offenders” anymore. Most of the time anyway. But occasionally, I can’t help it and I find myself scrolling to the bottom to see if there are comments. I almost always regret reading them. Recently I read through the comments on a Facebook post of a local news channel. The comments ranged from suggesting we save the tax payers money and put the accused out of his misery, wishing for him to be raped and beaten, and one particular comment…
Read MoreFederal Courts Examining Constitutionality of Sex Offender Registries
[o4anews.com 4/20/18] Back before the judicial system became a sprawling monster of inefficiency and inequity, justice was served in America. The punishment fit the crime, and once you got out of prison, ALL of your rights were returned, including gun ownership and voting rights. Not so much in America today. In the “kinder, gentler” America as GHW Bush would have called it, sentences do not match the crimes, and convicted felons are released according to their sentences, but there’s a catch. If you’re a sex offender, your sentence doesn’t end…
Read MoreBook: The Sex Offender Housing Dilemma: Community Activism, Safety, and Social Justice
by Monica Williams (Author) The controversy surrounding community responses to housing for sexually violent predators When a South Carolina couple killed a registered sex offender and his wife after they moved into their neighborhood in 2013, the story exposed an extreme and relatively rare instance of violence against sex offenders. While media accounts would have us believe that vigilantes across the country lie in wait for predators who move into their neighborhoods, responses to sex offenders more often involve collective campaigns that direct outrage toward political and criminal justice systems.…
Read MoreStereotypes and Misconceptions About Sex Offenders [audio recordings]
[kboo.fm 3/26/18] Jan Haaken talks with Tim Buckley, one of the authors of The New Scarlet Letters: Sex Offenders, Their Treatment, and Our Challenge. They will discuss stereotypes and misconceptions of sex offenders, and how the punitive orientation of the criminal justice system affects people who fall under this widening label. Listen to Stereotypes & Misconceptions About Sex Offenders audio recording of interview with Tim Buckley. More audio recordings discussing The New Scarlet Letters [marilyncallahanlcsw.com]
Read MoreNew Law Requires Sex Offenders To Inform Residents Before Moving Into Their Homes (Satire)
In a move designed to keep citizens aware of any potentially dangerous individuals sharing their address, the Illinois General Assembly passed a new law Wednesday requiring sex offenders to inform residents that they will be moving in with them. Full Satire Piece
Read MoreAlgorithm tool works to silence online chatroom sex predators
An algorithm tool developed by Purdue Polytechnic Institute faculty will help law enforcement filter out and focus on sex offenders most likely to set up face-to-face meetings with child victims. Full Article
Read MoreThe Forgotten Victims of National Crime Week
The week of April 8th to April 14th of 2018 has been declared “Nation Crime Victim’s Rights Week,” and while discussions about crime victims are commonplace, this recognized memorial week provides a greater platform for the victims’ rights group to promote their advocacy. There is, however, a narrative that has been neglected this week—the victimization of registered citizens and their loved ones by virtue of the public registry and the laws they inspire. Full Article
Read MoreJanice’s Journal: Three Opportunities in Thirty Days
We have three opportunities during the next 30 days to Show Up – Stand Up – Speak Up. Our first opportunity is in Sacramento on April 24 when the Senate Public Safety Committee will consider Senate Bill 1143. If passed, that bill would require registrants convicted of an offense involving a minor to disclose their status as a registrant to potential landlords as well as to home sellers if the property is within one-quarter mile of a school or a park. The penalty for not making such a disclosure is…
Read MoreChild trafficking expert speaks at William and Mary
Mosby is an expert in child trafficking in Thailand and founder of the HUG project, an organization dedicated to helping victims of child trafficking. In 2017 she won the TIP award for her work helping victims of sexual abuse. On Monday, Mosby came to the College of William and Mary to speak with students about child trafficking in Thailand and the steps she and others have taken to prevent it. … The U.S. has also come up with preventative measures to help stop its citizens from committing child sex crimes…
Read More