https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_offender_registries_in_the_United_States
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Impact on registrants and their families
Child protesting the hardship caused by strict sex offender policies at Lauren Book's Rally in Tally, at Tallahassee, Florida in April 22, 2015[81]
Sex offender registration and community notification (SORN) laws have numerous costs in the form of collateral consequences for both, sex offenders and their families. These collateral consequences include difficulties in maintaining employment, relationship difficulties, public recognition, harassment, attacks, difficulties finding, and maintaining suitable housing, as well as an inability to take part in expected parental duties, such as going to school functions.[82][57] In at least two instances, convicted sex offenders were murdered after their information was made available over the Internet.[83] In addition, registrants tend to disproportionately reside in the most socially undesirable neighborhoods, and in some situations are banned from certain jurisdictions altogether due to the residency restrictions.[84] Potentially deleterious effects of collateral consequences on offenders may in fact contribute to sex offenders failing to register and to the related potential for re-offending.[85] In addition, some of the collateral consequences, such as social stigma and lack of job opportunities or housing, cause emotional stress and undermine offenders ability to re-integrate into society, which in turn may further increase the risk of re-offending, and may hamper the public safety value of SORN policies.[86]
Registration and notification laws affect not only sex offenders, but also their loved ones. For example, laws may force families to live apart from each other, because of family safety issues caused by neighbors, or because of residency restrictions.[87] Interviews with 72 family members of registrants in six states identified common themes among family members. Family members often reported persistent feelings of hopelessness, depression, and frustration. In many cases, a family members decision to maintain contact with the offender led to hostility from other relatives, leaving the family member feeling isolated. Many reported that housing and employment disruptions, often caused by limitations imposed by the offender’s probation or registration status, resulted in economic hardships for the entire family. Close scrutiny and intrusion from law enforcement agents were seen as an invasion of privacy, and public notification often generated an enormous sense of shame and stigma. Many family members discussed feeling “overwhelmed and demoralized”, struggling to cope on a daily basis. Some remarked that re-entry assistance policies, such as the Second Chance Act, seemed to unfairly exclude sex offenders. Conclusion of the study was that stress for family members can hinder the crucial role they play in aiding the sex offender to successfully reintegrate.[87][88]
Impact on registrants
A growing body of research has identified the adverse effects of registration and notification laws for sex offenders. Adverse effects have unintended consequences that can undermine successful re-entry and potentially increase the risk of future criminal activity.[87][89][27][90] Most studies show that community notification appears to limit employment opportunities for up to half of registrants. Housing disruption is common, with 20–40% of sex offenders reporting that they have had to move because a landlord or neighbor became aware of their RSO status. A majority report psychosocial consequences such as depression, hopelessness, and fear for their own safety. Some have experienced vigilante activities such as property damage, harassment, and even physical assault.[87]
Impact on family members
A direct survey of 584 family members of registered sex offenders, published in 2009, found that most family members (86%) reported that SORN has caused stress in their lives, 77% often felt a sense of isolation, and 49% often felt afraid for their own safety due to public disclosure of the sex offender’s status. Half had lost friends or a close relationship as a result of community notification, and 66% said that shame and embarrassment often kept them from engaging in community activities.[87][91] Many of the respondents reported having to move out of rental house because landlord (22%) or neighbors (17%) found out that registrant was living in the same apartment. 12% percent had to move out of home they owned because of neighbors. 44% of respondents reported being harassed by neighbors, 27% their property being damaged, 7% being physically assaulted because of someone finding out that registrant lived in same address. 30% reported that a non-registered third person living in the same home had faced one or more of adverse consequences mentioned above. 33% reported that they were not able to live with their registrant because of residency restrictions. 44% reported difficulties in finding housing outside safety-zones, and wanting to live with the registrant.[87]
Impact on children of registrants
More than half (58%) of the respondents who were parent or a care taker of a child whose other parent is registered sex offender, said that the child was treated differently by other children at school, and 78% indicated that the child’s friendships had been impacted in some way. It was common for other children’s parents to be reluctant to allow the registrant's child to play at the friend's home (56%) or to let a child come to the registrant’s child’s home to play (70%). Many respondents said that the child has been treated differently by other adults (teachers, neighbors, friends’ parents) (63%), and that the child has been stigmatized due to the parent’s status as a registered sex offender (71%). Most children were reported to have unrestricted contact with their registrant parent (63%), though 23% were allowed only supervised contact and 14% had no contact at all. A majority (74%) indicated that the registrant parent has been unable to participate in some of the child’s activities, such as attending school plays or other events, attending or participating in the child’s organized sports, or attending the child’s birthday party.[87]
Children of registrants are reported to most often exhibit anger (80%), depression (77%), anxiety (73%), feeling left out by peers(65%), and fear (63%). Additionally, more than one in eight (13%) of the children of registrants were reported to exhibit suicidal tendencies.[87] The Human Rights Watch organization criticized these laws in a 146-page report published in 2007,[65] and another report in 2013.[7]
