VT- Advocate says sex offender law won't work

Note to the commenter re: Vermont Police. I am aware of what you are saying but due to issues related to defamation and this blog, I cannot post your comment even though comments are absolutely true.

8-5-2008 Vermont:

RUTLAND, Vt.—An advocate for victims of domestic and sexual violence says an ordinance being considered by the city that would require sex offenders to live far from schools, playgrounds and day care centers won't work.

Karen Tronsgard-Scott, the director of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence who oversees 16 domestic and sexual violence shelters, hot lines and support groups, said such strategies have been shown to create more problems than they cure.

Moving sex offenders away from probation officers and community support can lead to isolation and a higher risk of re-offense.

"Sex offenders who don't re-offend are stable ones," said Tronsgard-Scott. "As options for housing becomes more limited, it drives up the likelihood of re-offending and it drives people to fall off the registry and go underground."

She said laws such as those being considered in Rutland can have unintended consequences. "Decisions made to strengthen public safety have in fact worked in opposition to the goals to keep kids safer," she said.

On Monday, the Board of Aldermen will decide whether to adopt a so-called "Child Safety Ordinance" establishing 1,000-foot buffer zones around every school, park and registered daycare in the city. The overlapping zones would make it illegal for sex offenders charged with sex crimes involving a minor to live in most areas of the city.

The idea being considered, which was based on an ordinance recently adopted in Barre, is being supported by the city's administration, aldermen and police.

Tronsgard-Scott said she was glad to see Rutland discussing the issue of sexual violence.

She said there have been studies across the country that show there's no link between recidivism and where offenders spend time.

Instead of buffer zones, Tronsgard-Scott said she would like to see communities and the state to support educational programs.

But Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras said hadn't done any research into whether the proposed ordinance would work.

"I would argue that if this protects just one child, it's worth it," he said. "No one has ever contended that this is perfect legislation that will protect all children but it's more than we have now." ..News Source.. by Boston.com