Megan's Law
Forty-seven out of the fifty states have used Megan's Law to make sex offenders visible to the public. Megan's Law provides detailed personal information about sex offenders in each state. A sex offender is a person who committed and was convicted of a sexual crime. There is no easy way to tell who sex offenders are, since there are no typical characteristics they all share. Because anyone can be a sex offender, it is important to learn where they live. Megan's Law encourages awareness by creating accessible websites, which give home addresses and detailed personal profiles. One can search by state, zip code, or street to inform oneself about sex offenders in their area.
The creation of this law serves the purpose of ensuring the safety of individuals, such as Megan Kanka. Seven-year-old Megan lived in a New Jersey town where she was raped and murdered. The Kankas felt that it was important to decrease the frequency of rape and signed a petition to pass the law. In September of 2004, the state legislatures processed Megan's Law.
The purpose of providing information about offenders is not to impose punishment or invite the public to harass or commit crimes against the offenders, since sex offenders can report there are hate crimes. Additionally, in some states, members of the public issue pamphlets to neighbors warning them that a perpetrator has moved near by.
With the website, it is easy to distinguish who is a sex offender in the area. Some research has even stated that the website may inhibit the process of reporting rape. The reason for unreported sex offender may be due to the victim knowing their assailant. By reporting the incident, it may cause public scrutiny, breaking of families, and harm to the victim if the rapist is not accused guilty. These are some reasons why rape is under reported, yet rape still occurs under Megan's Law.
References:
"Office of the Attorney General: Megan's Law." California Megan's Law. 9 Oct. 2008. California Department of Justice. 9 Oct. 2008 <http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/>.