From: http://restoringintegritytovirginiaregistry.blogspot.com/
Over the years of advocating for data-driven laws and reform here I’ve learned the worst time of year for Myth-Based and Hysteria-Driven articles, policies and laws is Halloween. Halloween can be more emotionally draining than the annual Virginia General Assembly in Richmond.
So over the years I’ve also gathered all the sane and research-based articles and studies to send to local reporters when they produce a sensationalized article or video segment.
Today I’m sharing these links (see below, oldest to newest) with you so in case you some how thought Halloween is a dangerous day for Registered Sex Offenders to be in our communities, you’ll now know that it’s all been propaganda. Policies and laws should be based on facts not urban legend.
I’m hoping over the next 3 weeks there will be some new articles written that I can add to my list, so keep checking back on this post for newer publications.
Past posts of articles on Halloween and Registered Sex Offenders:
- October 31, 2007- Sex offenders locked down, in the dark for Halloween
- October 18, 2010- Should police monitor sex offenders on Halloween?
- October 29, 2010- Halloween a night of security theater for sex offenders. Are sex offenders cruising for children on Halloween?
- October 24, 2011- The Halloween Sex Offender Myth
- October 30, 2011– Sex offenders: Halloween’s boogeyman. Registered abusers are being rounded up tonight to protect trick-or-treaters. How real is the threat, though?
- October 21, 2013– Manufacturing Fear: Halloween Laws for Sex Offenders
- October 25, 2013- Sex Offenders Have Become Our “Bogeymen”, Allowing Anxiety not Facts to Write Our Laws
- October 30, 2013– Halloween Sex Offender Laws Are Unjustified
- October 15 , 2015- Johns Hopkins, Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Weighs in on the Hysteria Against Registered Sex Offenders on Halloween
- October 28, 2015– The Marshall Project: Is Halloween Really More Dangerous for Kids? A Lack of Evidence Doesn’t Stop Cities from Rounding Up Sexual Offenders on the Holiday.
- October 30, 2015– How Dangerous are Sex Offenders on Halloween? OR Police to Keep Close Eye on Sex Offenders at Halloween OR Officers to keep close eye on sex offenders at Halloween
Studies on Halloween and Registered Sex Offenders:
- How Safe Are Trick-or-Treaters? An Analysis of Child Sex Crime Rates on Halloween, by Mark Chaffin, Jill Levenson, Elizabeth Letourneau, and Paul Stern, 2009: http://sax.sagepub.com/content/21/3/363.abstract http://voice-of-reason.pbworks.com/f/Levenson-2009-Sex%20Crimes%20on%20Halloween.pdf
- The Specter of Sex Offenders on Halloween: Unmasking Cultural, Constitutional, and Criminological Concerns, by M. Benjamin Snodgrass, 2010: http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/students/groups/oslj/files/2012/03/71.2.snodgrass.pdf
As an update – my son just got his visit (Seminole county). Once again they had the same old tired list of crap that only applies to those on probation. It makes me so angry. It is so lazy and disrespectful! Lazy because it is easier to make these folks think that these rules apply to them than to actually let them know which ones do and which one don’t. As I found out last year the LE does not even know the contents of the statute!!!! They argued with me and I read it directly to them while on the phone – did it make a difference – NO because here we are again! He did not have to sign but the message was clear – and wrong! Thanks for the rant lol
For one thing I think many of the LE depts are starting to realize that most of the “rules” only apply to those on probation (unless your county has an ordinance)
My County (Orange) did not come around last year and they won’t this year as well. Officials are starting to wake up to the fact probably the last day a child may be abused is Halloween being the fact the parents are waiting in the car or on your doorstep. But the media always makes a point of leading with a story of “Don’t go near our Houses” Best is to shut off your lights, go to bed early.. and don’t answer the door.
I went to re register yesterday and to my surprise they didn’t have me sign the paper about the Halloween sign to be posted on door? I’m wondering if duval county will be enforcing this? Anyone know?
I’m sure they will be enforcing it. As I stated in an earlier post:
I recently re-registered and surprisingly, there was no mention of Helloween. I suppose I will get a personal visit for that to sign the acknowledgement, as I have signed since 2010. 🙁
The way the entire ordinance reads, to me at least, is that if I am not going to be home on Helloween, I don’t have to put the sign in my yard. Anyone agree or disagree?
Idk if the sign has to be up if your not home? But if we don’t sign the paper I don’t see where we have to put sign up?