False Sense of Security

By James W. Archer D.C.J.

This book illustrates why sex offender residency restrictions are ineffective in preventing children from becoming victims of sexual victimization. The rationale adopted by many in our society is that if we restrict sex offenders from living near schools, playgrounds, and parks, children will be protected from victimization. The book explains why this is a false sense of security and does little to protect children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Mar 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665718684

James W. Archer D.C.J.

Dr. James Archer has worked with sex offenders for over thirty years in his career in various capacities within the state correctional system in Indiana and as a law enforcement officer for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Archer currently works as the sex offender coordinator for the sheriff’s office and conducts sex offender supervision and registration. Along with his field experience, Archer holds a master’s degree in criminology from Indiana State University and a doctorate in criminal justice from California University of Pennsylvania. Archer also serves an adjunct instructor for various universities.

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Copyright © 2022 James W. Archer, D.C.J.

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ISBN: 978-1-6657-1869-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-1870-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-1868-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022902261

Archway Publishing rev. date: 2/21/2022

Contents

Chapter 1   Introduction

Chapter 2   Literature Review

Chapter 3   Data Collection and Analysis

Chapter 4   Conclusions and Recommendations

References

Chapter 1

Introduction

Background

Sex offender residency restrictions have been widely used since the 1990s throughout the United States with the intention of preventing repeat sexual assaults from convicted sex offenders, especially child sexual assault victims, by enforcing geographic boundaries where sex offenders can live, and places where they can visit, usually in the hundreds of feet up to thousands of feet (Budd, 2016). The problem with sex offender residency restrictions, are that they do not protect most child victims of sexual assault from occurring and as of this time there is no evidence that has been produced to show they produce a reduction in sex offender recidivism (Budd, 2016).

A considerable amount of research exists showing that the vast majority of sexual assaults happen inside the home of the child or inside the home of a close family friend or relative. These people are often not suspected of being a potential predator, so quite often they are given unfettered access to small, innocent, and trusting children (Bratina, 2013).

The violent and disturbing nature of sex offenses and political and public pressure motivate state and local entities to put in place restrictive policies and laws that are designed to restrict and prohibit certain sex offenders from being within so many feet of schools, parks, playgrounds, daycare centers, and other areas where children may congregate. The physical distance of these restrictions varies from state to state, but typically sex offenders are prohibited from living, working, and visiting within five hundred to two thousand feet of designated areas. (Bratina, 2013).

According to Bratina (2013), the problem with sex offender residency restrictions is that they restrict or prohibit an individual with a previous sexual criminal history of offenses against children from being within a specified distance (usually between five hundred to two thousand feet) of a school, park, playground, daycare center, or other areas where children may congregate, with the hope that the child sexual predator will not have an opportunity to select a victim in one of these areas. Although there are cases where children are abducted from one of these public areas and sexually assaulted and sometimes murdered by a stranger, the research shows that approximately 95 percent of child sexual assaults are committed by a close family member or friend, and approximately 70 percent of these take place within the home of the victim, close relative, or family friend (Bratina, 2013). This illustrates that the sex predator does not need a public area to prey on their victims.

Over the years, the many high-profile cases that have gained national and international attention have helped to place very high scrutiny on sex offenders, especially child sex offenders. Law enforcement, criminal justice professions, private mental health services, and the politicians who pass laws governing sex offenses are now held to a much higher standard for public safety and reduced recidivism. More restrictions and tougher sentencing is never out of discussion for these offenders. Most politicians publicly support a get-tough approach