Torn

Molestation, abuse, incest, rape, whatever the form, sexual offences shatter lives . The impact
rips through families. Communities divide on how to deal with the issues. The fallout can be devastating. Victims often have relationship and intimacy issues that effect not only themselves, but also their families. Sexual abuse increases a persons susceptibility to drug use , pregnancy and suicide (Berger,2008).Victims carry shame, self-doubt and fear with them for years, decades, lifetimes . On the other hand, sex offenders were often victims themselves(Barbaree & Marshall,2006). Offenders have their own battles with shame , compulsions, cognitive and emotional impairments. They are some body's child, father, brother. Yet, they are defined almost exclusively by their crime. In King County, offenders are required to register . Declaration of this offence severely restricts housing options and results in homelessness. Food , shelter and safety are basic human rights. The right to housing for registered sex offenders must be reconciled with the right to safe housing for families and other individuals.

The emotion , sensationalism and strong reactions that sex crimes evoke may have the effect of overriding action ( Berber, 2008). Many people have been victimized or have seen the effects of abuse. Over 70,000 substantiated cases were recorded by the U.S Dept. of Health and Human Services Administration on Children, Youth and Families in 2005. The largest percentage of these victims, almost 30,000, were 12-15 years old. In comparison 5,407 victims were
children 3 years old and under. Parents of young children are frightened if they loose sight of their tot at a playground or mall. Fear and disgust, while valid, may actually distort our thoughts and impede investigating possible solutions to the issue of sexual abuse.

Therapeutic treatment for sex offenders is relatively new and sparsely available. Reports regarding it's effectiveness vary. Missouri reports 94 percent of those that complete treatment have no repeat offence up to 10 years after completion . Not reflecting in this percentage are the many who choose not to participate, or do not complete treatment(Yeager, 2007). Other programs report treatment having little , if any any effect.There is authoritative agreement that the evidence does not prove or disprove the success of treatment for sex offenders. The rate of re-offending is less than might be expected, with or without treatment. Recidivism averages 13 percent at 5 years. This is a lower rate than for general criminal offences (Trowbridge,2007).

Laws need to be improved, prevention initiated and effective methods of rehabilitation need to be explored . In the meantime the dilemma of housing for sex offenders needs to be addressed.
Less than 2 decades ago legislation passed that addressed housing as an equal opportunity. America does not sanction discrimination. There are restrictions, however, that impair access to housing for certain groups of people. A past felony severely limits housing options. Reasonably, registered sex offenders may not locate near parks, schools or other concentrations of children. Public housing, for the most part , is closed to the registered sex offender.

There are 3 registered sex offenders within blocks of where I live. They happen to be young adults.They would not be distinguishable in a crowd. Sex offenders come in all ages, sizes ethnicity, and personalities. There is no type. These sex offenders are people. They have names and the same general needs for food shelter, and safety as the rest of the population. Unfortunately, lack of housing choices translates to many sex offenders being homeless. Sex offenders living a few blocks away does not make me feel terribly secure, yet, there is some relief knowing they are likely home asleep as I write this. I would be tenfold more disconcerted if they were sleeping in a doorway,driveway, alley or behind a fence near here. There are over 400
registered sex offenders without homes in King County (King County Sheriff Dept, 2008).

I believe that housing could give sex offenders motivation, accountability and something to loose. Housing would provide a certain measure of public safety. I also believe it is not fair to ask victims or potential victims to accept carte blanc housing for offenders. Survivors could be re traumatized by proximity to offenders. Families and individuals may be unreasonably stressed as their expectation for security would be compromised. In this light, segregated housing for sex offenders is a viable option. Clean and sober housing for alcoholic/addicts is an example of a possible solution for sex offenders. Requiring transitional housing after incarceration provides a way of accessing where the person is at and their ability to safely integrate into society, in effect balancing the offenders right to housing and family's and individual' s right to safety. Getting homeless sex offenders into housing increases their visability and accountablity. Thought would need to go into location, practices, qualifiers and safequards for such housing. Exploring housing solutions for sex offenders that are sensitive to public security is prudent, given what is at stake.

Resources :

Age and Sex Abuse:United States,2005. U.S Department Of Health and Human Services. Administration on Youth and Families.

Berger, Kathleen. The Devolping Person Through The Life Span. NewYork: Worth, 2008.

Bussiere &Hansen . Predicting Relapse-A meta-analysis of sex offender recidivism studies. 1998.

King County Sheriff Department. http://www.kingco.gov.safety/sheriff/SOSearch.aspx

Marshall&Barbaree . The Juvinille Offender. New York 2006: Guilfold

Trowbridge,PHD., J.D, Brett. "Does Sex Offender Treatment Work?" http://www.trowbridgefoundation.org/

Yeager, Melissa. "Sex Offender Rehab Program Helps Nearly All Who Finish It." KY3, Springfield. 25 Oct. 2007. www.ky3.com/news/specialreports/10803431.html