Juvenile Sex Offenders and The Sex Offender Registry (original) (raw)

The serious inquiries in to juvenile sex offending is somewhat new, only dating back about 60 years. The first publication on the subject was in 1943 with “The Boy Sex Offender and his Later Career” written by Lewis J. Doshay who was a New York City Children’s Court Psychiatrist. In the 1980’s interest in the subject become more prevalent and the saying “boys will be boys”, was beginning to be challenged. In the 1990’s Federal and State Governments started to pass sex offense laws, but some do not distinguish between juvenile and adults. Some states even made laws in regards to the age of consent (most were between ages 14-16) making it a crime for juveniles under that are under a certain age to age sex (Malin Saleh, Grudzinskas, 2014). Juveniles sex offenders are often thought of as a special group unique to other juvenile delinquents; therefore, are subject to specialize interventions and treatments. These interventions and treatments are needed to prevent juvenile offenders from becoming adult offenders, which studies have shown this happens quite often (Fanniff, Kimonis, 2014). These interventions and treatments can last anywhere between 12-15 months of outpatient care, sometimes there is follow-up care lasting another 6-8 months (McGrath et al, 2010). Also in recent decades it has been found that females between 13-17 have committed sex offenses too, even though most feel these acts are innocent displays of affection or exploration (Malin Saleh, Grudzinskas, 2014). Many theorists feel when compared to with other types of offending, sexual offending is unique, while others say sexual offending is just another form of antisocial behavior. There theories on the cause of juvenile sex offending 1) the juvenile has been a victim of or witnessed sexual violence 2) have little or no childhood attachment 3) they do not have good skills dealing with the opposite sex 4) have high sexual interest 5) have learning disabilities or low academic achievement. While a small percentage do it because they are sure to get away with it (the affluenza syndrome) (Seto, Lalumiere, 2010). The law that were developed for adult sex offenders have also been applied to juvenile sex offenders, in 2003 there were about 32 states that required juvenile sex offenders to register as sex offender, with the youngest juvenile being just 11 years old (Szymanski, 2003). Most of these juveniles have to register until they are 21, while others are required to register until age 25 and very small percentage have to register for life, it is dependent on how much of a risk the prosecutors, judges and probation officers feel they are risk to society (Center for Offender Management, 1999). Since 2004 juvenile sex offenders’ identities are no longer protected in all but two states (Alabama and Vermont) (Szymanski, 2004). The practice of using the adult laws on juvenile sex offenders is, because of 3 misguided assumptions: 1) juvenile sex offending is now at epidemic portions, 2) juvenile offenders have a lot in common with adult sex offenders instead of with other juvenile delinquents and 3) they have a higher risk of recidivism than other juveniles (Letourneau, Miner, 2005). While most states are in the practice of treating juvenile sex offenders the same as adults, defense attorneys, child welfare agencies and juvenile advocacy feel this practice is wrong. Furthermore, judges and prosecutors should be given the power to decide who needs to go on the registry and who does not. Juveniles on the registry if they are required to register as adults it should be noted the offense happened when they were juveniles and names taken off the registry between 21-25. Would a juvenile registry be more constructive and easier to notify the community without releasing the juveniles’ names? The approach to this research will be a combination of surveys using personal interviews, case scenarios and questionnaires, secondary data analysis, evaluating different intervention and treatment programs. The overall goal of this research is to change the attitudes towards and the programs for juvenile sex offenders. Also to the end the practice of treating juvenile sex offenders like adults and show the need for a separate juvenile sex offender registry.