Sex Offender Buffer Zones: Are They Really Protecting the Children?

• In Event: Control of Sex Offenders: Efficacy of Sex Offender Legislation

Abstract

The purpose of this presentation is to identify the efficacy of residency restrictions laws and ordinances through an analysis of Newark, New Jersey. There has been previous research stating that residency restrictions are not effective in isolating children, the intended target, from previously convicted sex offenders, however they are still in place in states and municipalities around the country. Additionally, most incidents of sexual assault are familial or through acquaintanceship. It is believed that it is vital to map residency information on registered sex offenders in order to see the compliance with the policy of residency restriction. It is also thought that registered sex offenders, although not allowed to live within the buffer zones set forth within residency restriction policy, can still be committing sex offenses within the buffer zones. This research will analyze tier two and three registered sex offenders within the city of Newark, NJ to better understand if a residency restriction ordinance would be an effective means of protecting minors in the city. Furthermore, it is vital to explore the relationship between the registered sex offenders in Newark, NJ and the victims in order to understand if residency restriction laws would protect the intended target group.

Authors

• Henri Buccine Schraeder, Rutgers University

• Kristen M. Zgoba, NJ Department of Corrections