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bitterbeerfaces t1_j3aeuel wrote

I don't fully disagree with this. a big problem I have with trusting any data relating to recidivism rates and sex offenders is there is offen a significant delay between the offense and reporting it. I would want to know how long of a period the research covered. Uncle Joe could be molesting the four year old again, but that baby likely wouldn't report that offense until much later in life- if at all.

I do agree that research largely supports the notion that SOs are very amenable to treatment. And that society overestimates their level of danger. But I like the registry. It keeps people aware, and no amount of research will be able to tell how many people were NOT victimized because of the existence of it.

I do wonder where we will be in 20 years as a society and data-wise. Victims of sexual offenses being supported and encouraged to report the offense is a new social phenomenon. I have seen massive change during my time (20 years) in this field.

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