Thus far we have covered a number of topics in our blogs, including what life is like on the sex offender registry and the struggles and even dangers that registrants face. We have discussed victims, ways to succeed in spite of being RSOs, and so on. However, although we have talked about the nefarious nature of sex offender laws and things related to them, we have not really delved into the subject of sex offender advocacy and law reform. This we will do now.
Sexual offense reform advocacy groups and their leaders face tremendous hurdles due to the strong support for restrictive SO laws that are perceived to reduce sexual victimization. In a study of state sponsors of sex offender bills, Meloy et al. (2013) found that about 89% of lawmakers know that the registry creates collateral consequences such as stigmatization, homelessness, unemployment, and more. Additionally, 60% of the lawmakers felt as though registry laws were effective in reducing recidivism but were not able to attach their reasoning to empirical findings (Meloy et al., 2013). Armed with inaccurate information regarding enhanced recidivism rates and the misconception that most offenders are strangers (Mancini, 2014; Sample & Kadleck, 2008), legislation has been put forth by legislators who believe erroneous information (Socia & Harris, 2016; Williams et al., 2020). [1]
Voting against legislation that is so strongly supported by the public for symbolic purposes forces lawmakers into a position to either support the public they represent or face career suicide (Socia & Harris, 2016; Williams et al., 2020). This makes the advocacy for sexual offense legislation reform particularly challenging for those involved in the advocacy process. With the limited research on these groups to date, though, we do not have a good understanding of how the members of these organizations conduct their advocacy work while up against these erroneous beliefs and conceptions. [2]
With the blind hatred directed at RSOs and the misinformation and cowardice at the legislative level, many would wonder who on earth would advocate for us. With the way we are often written off as hopeless, others would wonder why the laws should be reformed. We have noted in the past that the registry and the laws are a disservice to offenders and victims alike. Who is advocating for sex offenders? Has there been any progress made in legal reforms?
One advocacy group is the National Association for Rational Sex Offense Laws (NARSOL). This group advocates for changes to current sex offender registration and notification laws, arguing they are not based on scientific evidence and are overly punitive. They focus on national and state-level legislative reform and provide support to registered citizens and their families. [3]
Numerous state-level groups operate as NARSOL affiliates, providing support and advocacy at the state level, broadcasting policy changes, and offering social opportunities for registrants and their families. [4]
A list of these affiliates can be found at the NARSOL link here [5], For instance, here in Georgia the NARSOL affiliate is Restore Georgia. [6, 7]
There is also NARSOL’s Fearless Project. This project provides support groups, education, and advocacy training for registered citizens and their families. [8] Then there is the advocacy network United Voices 4 Sex Offense Reform, a non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate nationally for human rights through education, and reform unjust laws for people impacted by sexual offense charges and convictions. They provide a number of advocacy resources for RSOs on their website, including WAR (Women Against Registry); One Standard of Justice; ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws); Restorative Action Alliance; Once Fallen; and others. View all of them here. [9]
Advocacy is having some positive effects on existing sex offender laws. NARSOL and their state affiliates have filed lawsuits against municipalities with residency restrictions…This has led to successes like the Supreme Court of California declaring residency restrictions unconstitutional in 2015. Similar efforts in Texas have also led some towns to ease their restrictions. [10]
NARSOL’s Maryland chapter (FAIR) played a role in overturning the retroactive application of registry laws in their state. Advocacy groups aim to raise awareness about the facts surrounding sexual offending and the potential negative consequences of current legislation. Some of these groups, like NARSOL, offer support to registered individuals in navigating the registration process, understanding policy changes, and advocating for themselves. Some states, like Georgia, have recently made changes to their sex offender registry laws, including reducing the waiting period for some individuals to petition for removal from the registry. These changes can be seen as reflecting a shift towards considering individual circumstances and risk levels. [11]
Even so, advocacy and reform efforts on behalf of sex offenders faces a tough set of challenges, as noted earlier, such as strong public support for restrictive laws, opposition from victims’ rights advocates, and the reality of limited progress in some areas. [12] The one thing advocates cannot do is quit. Sex offender advocacy must continue and even increase. More effort needs to be made to dispel myths about sex offenders such as our supposedly incorrigible condition and high recidivism rates and lies such as the sex offender registry and laws making our society safer when, in fact, they make us all less safe, as we pointed out in our previous blog. This reeducation needs to go further than just the legislators. Everyone, including law enforcement and the public in general, needs to know the reality versus the lies and myths that have been put forward for so long.
Advocacy work can be challenging. Sometimes it seems like little progress has been made. The truth is, any progress is better than none at all, and it is a start. The best-case scenario would be the abolition of the sex offender registry and residency restrictions. Give sex offenders the same chance coming out of prison that other categories of offenders get. That will be a major victory and a huge stride in the right direction. What we have is not working despite all the rhetoric to the contrary. The crushing of hope can lead not only to reoffending, but if the wrong individuals are set off, to something far worse. Sex offenders are getting tired of being pushed around and knocked down every time they strive to get past their past and do the right thing. Vigilantes may find themselves facing some unpleasant surprises, and that could be just the beginning. The tension and anger are real. Let us come together and find far better solutions such as adopting laws that are constitutional and fair and that give convicted sex offenders a real opportunity to get back on the right track.
