Woman believes funding for sex offender registry could be put to better use

6-11-2012 New York:

Several bills passed through the New York State Senate on May 1, 2012 that make anyone who is convicted of, or attempting to commit, sex crimes against children 10 years or under, a Level 3 sex offender.

The legislation is now on the floor of the New York State Assembly.

Shana Rowan, of Oneida, is currently dating a sex offender. Her boyfriend sexually assaulted his six year old sister back in 1999, when he was only 12.

Rowan says that not everyone who committed a sex crime is dangerous for the rest of their lives and she believes the money and resources used to keep tabs on people in the registry could be better spent elsewhere.

"If we could allocate funds, resources, towards educating, but also preventing these crimes from happening in the first place, we would be teaching kids and adults to be more aware of who commits sexual abuse, where does it happen, which kids are most at risk," said Rowan.

However, Senator Joe Griffo said the sex offender registry and tough laws regarding sex offenders are necessary to keep the community safe.

This is a common erroneous belief of lawmakers about the registry, there is no way the community is safer by knowing where registrants sleep for a few hours of the day or night. And if recidivism was the issue, registries would be getting smaller as recidivism takes place as recidivists would be going to prison and not required to register. Lawmakers continue to bamboozle the public with sounds-good comments. Thousands of law enforcement personnel checking on addresses cots money and accomplishes nothing, but wates time and taxpayer money.

"We feel these are despicable crimes and they are serious crimes and that we need to call attention to that and we need to put into place laws that make people aware of what is taking place in their community and put in consequences to behavior," said Griffo.

Rowan also questions the overall effectiveness of the registry. One study done by the U.S. Department of Justice found that 86% of all sexual assault cases were by someone known to the victim, not a stranger in the registry.

Rowan feels that for the most part, the registry creates fear and hysteria and makes it difficult for the people listed to heal and get their lives back in order after they serve the time for the crime. ..Source.. by HILARY LANE