Ohio—As a high-profile murder case is unfolding, The Columbus Dispatch ran a surprising story on the front page, “Recidivism for sex offenders low.” Background: Just months away from graduation a pretty college student vanished, her dead body found the next day. Quickly the awful crime became a media sensation. Police arrested a suspect who was charged with kidnapping, robbery, rape and murder. Media attention turned to the defendant, a man recently paroled from prison and listed on the sex offense registry. Headline writers found ‘sex offender’ irresistible, here’s the Washington Post: “Sex offender recently released from prison is charged with rape, murder of Ohio State student.” The Columbus Dispatch kept it simple: “Sex offender arrested in Ohio State student’s death.” These headlines are factual but they easily activate a widespread but mistaken belief – that sexual wrongdoers repeat their crimes, they can’t stop. The falsehood has been promoted by the US Supreme Court and is the foundation of sex offense law and policy, enabling a whole array of draconian punishments including the registry. Perhaps mindful of this, The Columbus Dispatch had a surprising and noteworthy corrective story on Sunday’s front page, see below. Amidst public outrage, another killing may be in the offing, this one at the hands of the state–the prosecutor is talking about making the defendant eligible for execution. And the victim’s aggrieved family has vowed to “spend their entire lives, if necessary” to change the flawed system that allowed such evil to happen. Stay tuned. –Bill Dobbs
The Columbus Dispatch | Feb. 19, 2017
Ohio State student slaying an anomaly; few sex offenders repeat crime
By John Futty
Excerpt: The Golsby case represents the public’s worst fears about convicted sex offenders — that they don’t respond to treatment and will strike again if released.
But those are myths, reinforced whenever such cases get extensive media coverage, said Melissa Hamilton, a law professor who has written extensively about sex offenders.
“These incredibly horrible stories occur, the media picks them up and the public reacts,” she said. “It stokes fears of sex offenders as people who are likely to re-offend. But the statistics don’t support it.” MORE:
I read this story yesterday. It sad that first off this person would do this to another person, but the media obviously doesn’t help sensationalizing it with the sex offender title. But we as a team must continue the fight and educate the public to the truth about sex crimes and those considered sex offenders. Every change started with a movement. Civil rights and women’s rights looked hopeless at the start and the change didn’t happen overnight. Progress was made and the same is true here. Our voices are being heard and progress will be made.