Published Thursday, 12 July, 2007 at 04:41 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
MESSENGER IGNORES THE EXPERTS ON SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT
Rob Messenger continues to refuse to listen to the advice of experts on the management of sex offenders, Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said today.
Ms Spence said Mr Messenger is determined to push offenders underground where they cannot be monitored.
“Mr Messenger’s monthly calls for a public register listing the towns and suburbs where sex offenders live, as well as their criminal history, is irresponsible,” Ms Spence said.
“Experts say this will only lead to those offenders going into hiding, hampering the surveillance and supervision efforts of authorities.
“National and international research also warns against public sex offender registers, labelling them ineffective.”
Ms Spence said a the New South Wales Wood Royal Commission in 1997; a review of Megan’s Law by the UK’s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; and the child protection advocacy group Bravehearts have all rejected the use of public sex offender registers.
“Even the Criminology Research Council report Mr Messenger urged the government to consider just last week (Preventive Detention for Dangerous Offenders in Australia; a Critical analysis and proposals for policy development) rejects this approach.”
“Mr Messenger may consider national and international research as “claptrap”, but the fact is that public sex offender registers have not been shown to either reduce offending or increase community safety.
“In fact, these registers are fraught with danger. There have been cases of vigilantism in which members of an offender’s family, and innocent bystanders mistakenly identified as an offender, have been attacked.
“While Mr Messenger may enjoy scaremongering to drum up community support for his irresponsible and dangerous ideas, I will continue to seek the advice of experts when it comes to keeping the community safe.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said Mr Messenger is determined to push offenders underground where they cannot be monitored.
“Mr Messenger’s monthly calls for a public register listing the towns and suburbs where sex offenders live, as well as their criminal history, is irresponsible,” Ms Spence said.
“Experts say this will only lead to those offenders going into hiding, hampering the surveillance and supervision efforts of authorities.
“National and international research also warns against public sex offender registers, labelling them ineffective.”
Ms Spence said a the New South Wales Wood Royal Commission in 1997; a review of Megan’s Law by the UK’s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; and the child protection advocacy group Bravehearts have all rejected the use of public sex offender registers.
“Even the Criminology Research Council report Mr Messenger urged the government to consider just last week (Preventive Detention for Dangerous Offenders in Australia; a Critical analysis and proposals for policy development) rejects this approach.”
“Mr Messenger may consider national and international research as “claptrap”, but the fact is that public sex offender registers have not been shown to either reduce offending or increase community safety.
“In fact, these registers are fraught with danger. There have been cases of vigilantism in which members of an offender’s family, and innocent bystanders mistakenly identified as an offender, have been attacked.
“While Mr Messenger may enjoy scaremongering to drum up community support for his irresponsible and dangerous ideas, I will continue to seek the advice of experts when it comes to keeping the community safe.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287