Citation

Levenson JS. J. Child Sex. Abus. 2003; 12(3-4): 17-52.

Affiliation

Florida International University School of Social Work, 11200 SW 8th Street, ECS 460, Miami, FL 33199, USA. levenson@fiu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J070v12n03_02

PMID

15308446

Abstract

Much attention has been given to the problem of sexual predators and the struggles of the legal-justice system to contain them. In response to public outcry over high-profile sex crimes, federal and state legislators have responded in the past decade with innovative but controversial public policy initiatives, called "sexually violent predator statutes." In 1996 President Clinton signed "Megan's Law," mandating all 50 states to develop requirements for convicted sex offenders to register with local law enforcement agencies and to notify communities when a sex offender lives in close proximity. Less publicized have been the civil commitment statutes introduced by 16 states which allow convicted sex offenders to be evaluated for involuntary and indefinite confinement in a psychiatric hospital following their release from prison. This article will review the literature regarding community notification and civil commitment as interventions designed to combat sexual violence. The history and context of each policy will be discussed, as will a review of available research evaluating the impact of each policy. Implications for future research and social policy will be examined.

Language: en