ACSOL filed a new lawsuit yesterday that challenges a CDCR policy which allows the agency to use a tool that has not been validated to assess the risk of re-offense for women required to register. The name of that tool is the Female Sex Offender Risk Assessment (FSORA). The lawsuit was filed in Sacramento Superior Court and includes a declaration by Dr. Franca Cortoni, an expert in the re-offense rates of female registrants. According to Dr. Cortoni, there is no validated tool for assessing the re-offense rates of women required…
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Book by Emily Horowitz: From Rage to Reason: Why We Need Sex Crime Laws Based on Facts, Not Fear
In this timely and extensively researched book, sociologist Emily Horowitz shows how current sex-offense policies in the United States create new forms of harm and prevent those who have caused harm from the process of constructive repentance or contributing to society after punishment. Horowitz also illustrates the failure of criminal justice responses to social problems. Sharing detailed narratives from the experiences of those on registries and their loved ones, Horowitz reveals the social impact and cycle of violence that results from dehumanizing and banishing those who have already been held…
Read MoreACSOL Board Members Unravel Sex Offense Policies, Offer Hope for Registrants
[ACSOL] In the form of new scholarly articles, two ACSOL board members discuss the large gap between sex offense realities and sex offense policies as well as offer hope for registrants and their families. In the first of the articles, sociologist Emily Horowitz uses a timeline of key political events, legal milestones and research findings to identity how and why there is a gap between sex offense realities and sex offense policies. In the second of the articles, law professor Catherine Carpenter provides hope to registrants and their families by…
Read MoreProf. Janus establishes center devoted to sex-offender litigation, policy
[mitchellhamline.edu] Mitchell Hamline School of Law is pleased to announce the creation of a center devoted to tracking litigation and encouraging effective public policy related to sexual offenders. Directed by Professor Eric Janus, a leading national expert on sexual violence law and policy, the Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center collects and disseminates information about cases related to sex-offender policy and laws. Supported by a grant from the Vital Projects Fund, the center seeks to facilitate communication, sharing, and the development of strategies among lawyers, advocates, and academics who…
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