Juvenile Sex Offenses in Ohio - Case Study Example

Running head: Juvenile Sex Offenses in Ohio Juvenile Sex Offenses in Ohio Insert      Insert Grade Insert 9 January Juvenile Sex Offenses in Ohio Introduction According to Barbaree & Marshall (2008, p.106), juvenile sex offenses are common, and represent a significant proportion of crimes committed by the young. Juvenile sex offenders are regarded as a delinquent population, which, if ignored, are likely to commit several sexual offences in the future as adults. According to time health magazine (2012), one–third of sexual abuse in the United States is caused by the minors; this represents a threat to the security of other minors. These cases may involve sibling incest among other sexual crimes. Nevertheless, it is vital for the government to address such cases seriously to avoid their re-occurrence. Crary (2012) from ajc news argues that, in data collected in 29 states, juveniles accounted for 36% of offenders in sexual crime, 93% of these minors being male offenders. However, there is need for a highly discriminative response system, which will differentiate between minors who should be lowly stigmatized and those who need high level of intervention such as incarceration - because they pose a risk. The state of Ohio is one of the many states that have been affected by juvenile sex offenses over the years; therefore, various strategies have been implemented to curb this problem. This paper will analyze the issue of juvenile sex offenses in the state of Ohio in length. Juvenile Sex Offenses in Ohio As of January 2008, the state of Ohio no longer required sexual offender to encounter a predator hearing; however, when pleaded guilty, the charge associated to the crime determines the classification of the offender (Hamilton county sheriff’s office, N.d). The state also subjects juvenile sex offenders to some of the adult sex offender’s requirements. However, they are given exceptions for the 1000-foot ruling and the display of their information on the website. There are three tiers involved in sexual crime, which are categorized by their severity, with tier three including severe punishment. It requires anyone above the age of 14 who has sexually offended a minor below the age of 13 to register for a lifetime. This lifetime registration is influenced by the level of sexual offense and the possibility of committing a similar crime in the future (Harris & Pettway, 2007, p.2). Below is a table including classification of sexual offenders according to Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. Registration Requirements Adult Juvenile* In-Person Verification Requirement Tier I 15 years 10 years Annually Tier II 25 years 20 years Every 180 days Tier III Lifetime Lifetime Every 90 day (Source: Harris & Pettway, 2007 p3) Tier 1 sex offender consists of a juvenile sex offender who has been convicted for sexual offence, and therefore required to register once a year for 10 continuous years with the sheriff of the county the offender lives, works, or attends school. They are also required to register whenever they change their residence. The tier 11 juvenile sex offenders are convicted for one or more sexual offences, and therefore required to register with the county’s sheriff every 6 months for 20 years, where they work, live or attend school. In Northeast Ohio, 130 sex offenders live in Cuyahoga County. It is therefore difficult for parents to know if these offenders attend the same schools as their kids. Research proved that school administration is aware of the presence of juvenile sex offenders in school; however, there is no existing policy on how to deal with such offenders who are students. The district officials in northeast Ohio told channel 3 news that, they are not allowed to inform parents or students of the existing juvenile sex offenders in the school, due to confidentiality of student’s file (WKYC news, 2011). However, the United States department of education disagrees, claiming that information on potential threat should be released to avoid any risks. Moreover, some schools in the district such as Maple Heights and Shaker Heights prefer to only notify their staff only on the enrolled juvenile sex offenders. According to Ohio Public Safety (2006, p.10), managing sex offenders is important, as it reduces the likelihood of reoccurrence of the offence. The accurate analysis of these offenders can include mental health analysis to determine the main cause of their behavior. In addition, the state of Ohio attorney general’s office concluded that the already registered juvenile sex offenders would be excluded from the internet sex offender database (Sheriff Clermont county Ohio, 2012). Therefore, residents are required to consult the sheriff’s office to enquire of juvenile sex offenders in their area. This is one of the controversial issues, since the members of public need to be aware of the threats in their area; therefore, such vital information should be uploaded in the internet for easier access. Needless to say, in the early years, juvenile courts did not exist; therefore, children below 7years of age were not held responsible for their actions, as they were considered incapable of having a criminal intent. Today, the young are considered juvenile until they reach 18years; however, in extreme cases involving murder among others, juveniles can be tried in adult courts. Needless to say, most crimes involve the underage peers, with studies indicating 40% of arrests in the urban areas of the US compromise of youths below 18 years (Roberts, 2012). Therefore, there is need for juvenile courts in the system of justice to avoid rise in youth sex crimes. Juvenile sex offender treatment program – Ohio The rate of juvenile sex offenses has risen over the past years in Ohio. With an aim of reducing this prevalence, the State of Ohio implemented the juvenile sex offender treatment program. According to LAWriter (2010), juvenile sex offender treatment program involves creation of a juvenile sex offender treatment program certification advisory board, and certification that authorizes the operation of the treatment program for the juvenile sex offenders. This rule requires the board to certify juvenile sex offenders with sexually abusive behaviors treatment programs, which the board should supervise, evaluate, and monitor often. The importance of this assessment and analysis is to establish the effectiveness of the treatment programs offered. The Ohio rules require that the board membership should include an appointee by the director of Ohio department of youth services, who is capable of representing the sex abuse victims. Another member must represent the juvenile community appointed by the family court judges, while another must be appointed by the governor, therefore representing the governor’s office, among other selected members (LAWriter 2010). These members are expected to serve voluntarily; however, they are compensated for their expenses. Nevertheless, the purpose of this rule is to administer treatment for juvenile sex offenders will sexual abusive behaviors. However, this certification can be terminated if there are cases of fraud, abuse, neglect or any unethical behavior fro the staffs. Therefore, the professional who offers these services must obtain a legal license and operate under the required rules and regulations. It is rather evident that the State of Ohio is keen to curb juvenile sex offences levels by also preventing re-occurrence of these behaviors through effective treatment programs. Therefore, to make these programs effective, the Ohio laws require that the treatment programs be up to standard, in order to qualify for certification; indeed, professionalism and confidentiality in these programs is emphasized on. Conclusion The state of Ohio is very committed to minimizing juvenile sex crimes, and avoiding their re-occurrence by implementing rules and standards that govern treatment programs for such cases. Needless to say, the increasing rates of juvenile delinquency such as sexual crimes are a problem to the society, with innocent minors bearing the consequences of these pathetic deeds. The media acts a major negative influence to the young, who later become rebellious and indiscipline. Therefore, as much as the public insists on government assistance in preventing occurrence and re-occurrence of the sexual crimes, parents should play their role in ensuring that their children acquire good morals. The parents are in a better position of preventing their children from acquiring negative influence from the media by ensuring that they apply parental guidance for inappropriate programs. If children are brought up in the right ethical manner, and under a careful guidance from their parents, such unethical crimes, for instance, sexual offenses can be minimized. This is because the child will be aware of right and wrong, and the repercussions of both factors. References Barbaree, H., & Marshall, W. (2008). The juvenile sex offender, Edition 2. NY: Guilford Press Publisher. Crary, D. (2012). Child-on-child sex abuse poses complex challenges. Retrieved from http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/child-on-child-sex-1293700.html Harris, M., & Pettway, C. (2007). Ohio Institute on Correctional Best Practices. Sex Offender Registration and Notification. Retrieved from http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/iej_files/SO_RegistrationNotification.pdf Hamilton County Sheriffs Office. (N.d). Sex Offender FAQ. Retrieved from http://www.hcso.org/publicservices/sexoffenders/FAQ.htm LAWriter. (2010). Ohio Laws and Rules .Chapter 5139-69 Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment Program. Retrieved from http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/5139-69 Ohio public safety. 2006. Report to the Ohio criminal sentencing commission: sex offenders. Retrieved from http://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/ocjs_SexOffenderReport.pdf Roberts, C. (2012). Juvenile Delinquency. Cause and Effect. Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. Retrieved from: http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/2000/2/00.02.05.x.html Sheriff Clermont county Ohio. (2012). Registered Sex Offenders. Retrieved from http://www.clermontsheriff.org/SexOffenders.aspx. Time health magazine. (2012). One –third of child abuse caused by minors. Retrieved from: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2103983-2,00.html WKYC news. 2011. Investigator: Do juvenile sex offenders attend your school? Retrieved from http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/190081/15/Investigator-Do-juvenile-sex-offenders-attend-your-school. Read More