OH- Is offender registration effective?

7-7-2008 Ohio:

LISBON - The assistant prosecutor who handles all the sex-related cases for Columbiana County said he's never been a fan of sex offender registration legislation.

"I don't think it provides any additional protection to the public in the vast majority of these cases," county Assistant Prosecutor Tim McNicol said.

In the past 16 years that he's been prosecuting sex-related cases, he said an overwhelming number of the offenses occur in the home or in another place where the offender has access to the victim, such as a relative's house. In most cases, the victim knows the attacker.

Sex offenders in Columbiana County have included parents, step-parents, grandparents, babysitters, school teachers, coaches and others familiar to the victim where there's an establishment of trust.

"I can count on one hand where there's some type of stranger attack," he said.

In McNicol's opinion, the fact that sex offenders must register gives the public a false sense of security. He also criticized the national media for what he called "irresponsible journalism" for sensationalizing some of these types of cases involving random attacks, giving the impression that more are happening.

He admitted that some sex offenders do need monitored, but in the vast majority of cases, he said registration would have had no bearing on the crimes occurring.

McNicol also said the situation can cause tension in a neighborhood, pointing to a situation in East Liverpool where someone put up a sign which said "my neighbor is a sex offender." In some communities where local laws have been passed prohibiting sex offenders from living in certain areas, he said it's causing them to cluster together.

In the case of the classifications, he said judges should have some discretion. He used the example of the 18-year-old boy who may be charged with having consensual sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend. He could end up having to register for 15 years under the new law.

He referred to the sex offender registration laws as "feel good legislation."

When it comes to protecting children from sex offenders, he said parents and guardians "need to be more vigilant and make themselves more educated about the signs of abuse" and they need to talk to their children and explain the difference between good touch and bad touch.

"As difficult as it may be on a personal level, they need to listen to their children and follow up, seek third-party intervention," he said.

If something happened, a child will need counseling. If the child made up the situation, he said they'll still need counseling. One of the most difficult parts of his job is deciding charges. Nobody wins on either side, especially when the victim and defendant belong to the same family. ..News Source.. by MARY ANN GREIER,