Why Sex Offenders Are No Longer Anonymous…
In 1995, a convicted child molester was arrested for the murder and rape of a 7 year-old, Megan Kanka of New Jersey. The offender lived right across the street from Megan's residence, however the Police Department was prohibited from disclosing the presence of this child molester because, at the time, the law did not allow the release of sex offender information to the public. The law was changed to permit the release of this information to the public and on May 8, 1996, President Clinton signed the law, dubbed "Megan's Law." The California State Legislature signed California's version of Megan's Law into effect on September 25, 1996. This law was implemented to allow potential victims to protect themselves and allow parents to protect their children.
Washington State's 1990 Community Protection Act included America's first law authorizing public notification when dangerous sex offenders are released into the community. However, it was the brutal 1994 rape and murder of seven-year-old Megan Kanka that prompted the public demand for broad based community notification. On May 17, 1996, President Clinton signed Megan's Law. Megan's Law requires the following two components:
Sex Offender Registration - The 1994 Jacob Wetterling Act requires the States to register individuals convicted of sex crimes against children. Sex offender registration laws are necessary because:
- Sex offenders pose a high risk of re-offending after release from custody.
- Protecting the public from sex offenders is a primary governmental interest.
- The privacy interests of persons convicted of sex offenses are less important than the government's interest in public safety.
- Release of certain information about sex offenders to public agencies and the general public will assist in protecting the public safety.
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