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Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment
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Attitudes About Community Notification: A Comparison of Sexual Offenders and the Non-offending Public

Yolanda Nicole Brannon

School of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA, ybrannon{at}msn.com

Jill S. Levenson

Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA, jlevenson{at}lynn.edu

Timothy Fortney

School of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, bakerj{at}fit.edu

Juanita N. Baker

School of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, bakerj{at}fit.edu

Public notification laws have been enacted by legislatures to address the risk posed by sex offenders to the public. Little research has been done regarding either the public's or sex offenders' knowledge and attitudes about community notification and its impact. This study compared the experiences and perceptions of 125 sex offenders in outpatient treatment to 193 members of the public in Brevard County, Florida. Sex offenders were significantly more likely to believe that community notification laws and society are unfair, to feel that such laws should be applied to fewer sex offenders based on their level of risk or threat, and to view notification as being ineffective at reducing sex crimes. Nearly half of the offenders reported experiencing threats, property damage, or physical assault as a result of public disclosure. In comparison, only 10% of the public was aware of vigilantism against sex offenders. Implications for public policy and future research are discussed.

Key Words: Sexual abuse • Community notification • Megan's law • Rape • Sex offender • Registration

Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, Vol. 19, No. 4, 369-379 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/107906320701900403
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