The Appeal: “As Florida’s Unhoused Sex Offense Registrant Population Booms, Group Asks UN for Help”, by Steven Yoder

Steven Yoder is to be applauded for his investigative reporting of the current situation for many people on the sex offense registry in South Florida.

This past November, leaders of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, patted themselves on the back for the “good” job they were doing in fighting homelessness.  But what these leaders did not want to share with the public, according to journalist Steven Yoder, is that “the city’s own rules are, in part, driving up homelessness.  An ordinance forbidding most people on the state’s sexual offense registry from living within 1,400 feet of schools, daycares, parks, or playgrounds puts all but 1 percent of residences off limits to those on the offense registry and forces hundreds to live on the streets.”

Yoder stated that the Florida Action Committee “had, for months, been asking city and county leaders for a plan to house registrants.  On Nov. 14, the group petitioned the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, alleging that the U.S. public sex offender registry contravenes provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

Florida Action Committee sent a copy of the change.org petition, which had approximately 4,500 signatures, to the UN along with a request for the UN to investigate for “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

Excellent article, Mr. Yoder.

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