Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Correspondence should be sent to Kelly K. Sexual violence is a significant public health problem in the United States. In an effort to decrease the incidence of sexual assault, legislators have passed regulatory laws aimed at reducing recidivism among convicted sexual offenders.
As a result, sex offenders living in the United States are bound by multiple policies, including registration, community notification, monitoring via a global positioning system, civil commitment, and residency, loitering, and Internet restrictions.
These policies have led to multiple collateral consequences, creating an ominous environment that inhibits successful reintegration and may contribute to an increasing risk for recidivism. In fact, evidence on the effectiveness of these laws suggests that they may not prevent recidivism or sexual violence and result in more harm than good.
Every year, an estimated women are raped 1 , 2 and 3. The physical and mental health problems experienced by survivors make sexual assault more than a criminal justice concern but a public health concern as well.
Over the past 14 years, legislation has evolved to ensure this focus, but the effectiveness of these policies in curbing the incidence of sexual violence is questionable.
