Abolishing Fear‑Based Sexual Offense Laws - Emily Horowitz

This presentation summarizes key findings from in-depth interviews with those directly-impacted by sex conviction registries, focusing both on the legal and formal consequences, such as housing, employment, and travel challenges, to the informal ones, such as social banishment, isolation, fear, civil death, and personal trauma.
Emily Horowitz (Ph.D., Yale University, 2002) is professor and chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where she founded and co-directs a college degree program for those with criminal-legal involvement. She is the author of Protecting Our Kids? How Sex Offender Laws Are Failing Us (Praeger, 2015). Her latest book, From Rage to Reason: Why We Need Sex Offender Laws Based on Facts Not Fear, is forthcoming (May 2023) from Prager. Dr. Horowitz is active in organizations that engage in advocacy for those on conviction registries.
NARSOL is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization exclusively dedicated to defending the constitutional liberties of registered citizens and their families.NARSOL opposes dehumanizing registries and works to eliminate discrimination, banishment, and vigilantism against persons accused or convicted of sexual offenses through the use of impact litigation, public education, legislative advocacy, and media outreach in order to reintegrate and reconcile affected individuals and restore their constitutional rights.
NARSOL: narsol.org
NARSOL Resources: resources.narsol.org
Join NARSOL: secure.narsol.org/join-narsol/
Volunteer: narsol.org/volunteer/

[@wrzffh]

I really admire Emily Horowitz. Great scholarship. I just wish this argument could get wider exposure. Like she mentioned people really just shut down on this issue.

[@NARSOL]

Absolutely. Moral panic sets in and rationality goes out the window.

[@mollygriswold7979]

Thank you!

[@NARSOL]

You're welcome!

[@davidmoorecatdaddy6994]

One of the drug dealers convicted of selling fentanyl only got 8 years . Three of the kids died ! Less than 3 years apiece for each life he took !

[@NARSOL]

We generally avoid making direct comments about the length of sentencing because we don't want to be accused of minimizing or excusing criminal behavior. But we can say that we don't disagree with your math.

[@ibgarrett]

Emily rocks!!

[@NARSOL]

Yes she does.

[@beasst55]

Right as rain. Hate directed toward the families and friends. It's stupid.

[@NARSOL]

Exactly. Families and friends become collateral damage in this process. It is sad. Thankfully, some of those individuals see the injustice and become our allies.

[@mylzebatyahoocom1]

can't wait to see yall in atlanta!

[@NARSOL]

Same here.

[@shandellmansion7579]

Their 1 sex offender’s are on such a broad spectrum of this classification. Those who pose any threat to a child in home or in society should be on the registry. However they should be able to get employment.

[@NARSOL]

It is difficult to find employment while on a public registry. That is why we advocate at bare minimum having a registry that is not public. There is no proof that a public registry works, so why should we have one? Shouldn't the goal be to reintegrate people into society so they can work, pay taxes, and redeem themselves?

[@tntreviews3602]

TnT Review's ​I herd the S O P T class make u say things or you don't pass

[@NARSOL]

Yes, that is sometimes the case in the SOPT classes. It is unfortunate and counterproductive.

[@indubitably424]

They make you agree and force you to change your beliefs then give homework based on this to be presented in groups. You are not allowed out of the program until you complete these assignments. Guys are in weekly group meetings for years. They are forced to leave work, to go. Never mind their families our starving and struggling.