In yesterday’s Crime Report interview, “Are We Being Smart About Sex Offenders,?” Professor Karen J. Terry noted an increasing number of policies directed at the people who sexually abuse. In 2007 and 2008 alone, more than 1500 sex offender-related bills were proposed in state legislatures and over 275 new laws were enacted.
The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers released a report on how these policies can unintentionally harm children or prevent sexual abused children from receiving help. The report, “A Reasoned Approach: Reshaping Sex Offender Policy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse?,” details policy reforms that could be taken to lessen the possibility of abusers harming others, while making it easier for children to report and understand abuse.
Access the report here.