Citizen coping with community notification of released sex offenders

Abstract

The current study investigated citizen reactions to notifications of sex offenders in the neighborhood, in an effort to determine whether sex offender notification laws are accomplishing their goal of increased protective actions against sex offenses. Lazarus's stress and coping theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. Telephone surveys were conducted with 250 Alabama residents who were notified of an offender in the neighborhood. Questions were posed regarding notification importance, fear of crime, coping, and locus of control. Notification importance predicted fear of crime, which, in turn, predicted coping. Fear of crime did not mediate the relation between notification importance and coping, however. Finally, situational locus of control did not moderate the relation between fear of crime and coping strategy.

Megan's law and its impact on community re‐entry for sex offenders

“…The majority of 193 individuals surveyed in Florida indicated that they believe that most sex offenders will reoffend and therefore community residents should be told about all sex offenders living amongst them . Though this data suggests that concerned citizens feel safer as a result of knowing where sex offenders live, other surveys have found that notification can increase anxiety because few strategies are concurrently offered for protecting oneself from sex offenders (Caputo, 2001;Caputo & Brodsky, 2004;Zevitz et al, 2000b;Zevitz, 2004). A large majority of mental health professionals have expressed doubt that registration and notification can be successful in preventing child sexual abuse, and even speculated that such laws create a false sense of security for parents (Malesky & Keim, 2001).…”

Prison wardens' perceptions of sex offenders, sex offender registration, community notification, and residency restrictions.

“…Through telephone surveys with 250 Alabama residents, Caputo and Brodsky (2004) investigated public reactions to sex offender registration and community notification. Residents who interpreted community notification as important reported using a greater number of coping strategies to deal with the close presence of sex offenders and reported being more fearful of general victimization, personal victimization, and sexual victimization.…”

A cross-sectional exploration of household financial reactions and homebuyer awareness of registered sex offenders in a rural, suburban, and urban county.

“…Once the presence of the offender is known it creates unease in the surrounding areas (Anderson & Sample, 2008;Beck & Travis, 2004;Brown et al, 2008;Caputo & Brodsky, 2004;Craun & Theriot, 2009;Levenson et al, 2007a;Lieb & Nunlist, 2008;Phillips, 1998;Zevitz, 2004;Zevitz & Farkas, 2000a).…”

“…The mere presence of a convicted sex offender or offenders inspires increased amounts of anxiety, fear, and concern for general safety among community members (Anderson & Sample, 2008;Beck & Travis, 2004;Brown et al, 2008;Caputo & Brodsky, 2004;Craun & Theriot, 2009;Levenson et al, 2007a;Lieb & Nunlist, 2008;Phillips, 1998;Zevitz, 2004;Zevitz & Farkas, 2000a). Regarding fear, roughly one-third (38%) of Zevitz and Farkas' (2000a) sample of Wisconsin residents who attended community notification meetings designed to increase sex offender awareness reported an increase in fear.…”

“…Sex offender policies were intended to encourage the public to engage in protective actions against sex offenders and offenses (Anderson et al, 2009;Anderson & Sample, 2008;Bandy, 2011;Brown et al, 2008;Caputo & Brodsky, 2004). That is far from the truth, as community members have not exercised their ability to engage in protective behaviors, as most of the public is unaware of nearby RSOs (Anderson & Sample, 2008;Burchfield, 2012;Craun, 2010;Kernsmith, Comartin, et al, 2009;Lieb & Nunlist, 2008;Phillips, 1998).…”