American and British Policy: A Comparison of Community Sentiment Toward Sex Offense Legislation Across the Pond

• In Event: Advances in Sex Offense Policy Research: Exploring Public Views and Opinions

Abstract

Sex offenders and sex crimes provoke a great deal of anxiety in society. Over the past fifteen years in the United States, and the last three years in the United Kingdom, lawmakers have passed a variety of social policies designed to protect the public from sexual victimization. There are a variety of systematic differences in the application of Megan’s Law in the United States and Sarah’s Law in the United Kingdom. Given these differences of the delivery of notification, the purpose of this study was to examine and compare the sentiment and perception of sex offenders and community protection policies in both countries. Data were obtained from three cities- survey data were originally obtained from a sample of 193 residents in Melbourne, Florida and 125 residents in Bristol and London, England. Results from the original survey in Florida were compared with new data from the two cities in England. It was originally hypothesized that the public in Florida would hold some inaccurate beliefs about sex offenders, and that there would strong public support for community protection policies. In England, it was hypothesized that the public would be less supportive of the community protection policies, given their intense focus on maintaining privacy for victims and offenders. Implications for public policy, and for the media’s role in shaping public perceptions are discussed.

Authors

• Jill Levenson, Barry University

• Kristen M. Zgoba, New Jersey Department of Corrections