Media Spin

One of the biggest obstacles to meaningful, pro-active reform of sex-offender legislation is the media's biased and selective portrayal of non-violent, non-contact sex offenders. A recent news story on KPHO Phoenix, a CBS affiliate, gives a clear example of this.

The "top story" on July 14^th was about the problem of homeless registered sex-offenders. There are some 239 registered sex-offenders in Phoenix without a residential address, so they are required to be at a specific street corner for certain hours each day.  Apparently this is not tracked all that well by the authorities.

The story cites the problems that have developed because of this system and lack of oversight, specifically naming two offenders who committed particularly heinous crimes toward young children.  One of these homeless sex offenders raped a young child in 2007.  In addition, the reporter interviewed a family that lives near one of the intersections assigned to a homeless sex offender. Needless to say, they were quite unhappy about the entire system.

This story omitted many significant facts that would have presented a more thorough and balanced picture of the situation. Instead, it focused on the most egregious examples of violent crimes and abuse. A more objective presentation of the story might have gone like this:

There are 239 registered sex-offenders in Phoenix who are homeless - unable to secure a permanent residence.  Housing options are limited for registered sex offenders, in that they can be denied housing at some homeless shelters or can be denied approval to live with family members or friends, even if their crime did not involve violence or sexual contact with a minor, as is the case for over 200 of the 239 listed. These non-violent, non-contact homeless offenders must abide by the same restrictions applied to violent offenders, though their compliance is not regularly monitored.

In spite of the difficulties of securing housing and employment, and the widespread discrimination against this segment of the population, there have been no serious incidents for over seven years. Research by the Department of Justice and other sources has shown that only 3% of sex-offenders are likely to re-offend - far fewer than any other class of felon except murderers, who are rarely released at all.

This approach to the story might elicit a more humane, realistic, and constructive debate about what is most certainly a significant issue. Biased, unrealistic reporting does nothing to further a discussion of solutions. 

Some sex offenders are dangerous predators, and society truly needs protection from them. All sex-offenders, however, do not belong in that same category. Many registered sex offenders are non-violent, non-contact offenders (having been convicted for possession of pornography, for example) who have made mistakes and are committed to atoning for those mistakes and to rebuilding their lives. An objective media portrayal of their struggles and a restorative (rather than retributive) justice approach to their reparations would do much to alleviate the homeless problem for the offenders, their families, the victims, and the whole of society.