Laws of Juvenile Sexual Offenders

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Juvenile Sexual Offenders: Should the Laws Be Adjusted? In today’s society of internet sex crimes being broadcast on the evening news and 60 Minutes doing specials at least once a month. Are we paying enough attention to other sexual crimes and problems, such as the laws pertaining to juvenile sex offenders and their victims? Could more be done to help and protect the perpetrators, victims and their families? It is my opinion that the laws pertaining to juvenile sex offenders need to be adjusted. School officials should be made aware of the presence of convicted sex offenders within their own schools so that they can be more alert and active in counseling and monitoring of such students and their behaviors. I believe that there are not enough laws enforcing the schools to take an active roll in informing, while protecting the perpetrators rights to privacy and protecting the rest of the student body. I also believe that there are more offenders in public schools than most people would think. I believe all of this to be true, based on the simple fact that this is a subject that hits very close to home, and is very personal to me. I have been through this with someone very near and dear to my heart just recently, and the offender got to carry on with his life, just as nothing had ever happened. He attended after school activities, clubs, sporting events, dances, and even was allowed by his parents to continue dating and being alone with his girlfriends. I, as a parent, would like to be made aware that my child could very well be in serious danger. Adolescents and children are capable of committing serious sex offenses in spite of their immaturity. Sexually abusive behavior includes but is not limited to non-conta... ... middle of paper ... ... include parents, law enforcement, courts, the school system, counselors, and social workers. All agencies need to work together for the betterment of the juvenile sex offenders and all children involved. Victims of sexual abuse should also inform the school system to receive the best possible help and support to work through their experiences and also to help keep the victim from become a sex offender themselves. Works Cited Casillas, Ofelia. "Registry Flaws." The IRE Journal (2005): 28-29. Fritz, Gregory K. "The juvenile sex offender: Forever a menace?" The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (2003): 8. Hunter, John A. "Juvenile Sexual Homicide." FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (2000): 1. McNeil, Michele. "Concerned About Juvenile Sex Offenders, States Move to Tighten Their ulations. (cover story)." Education Week (2007): 1-18.

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