Understandings, implications and alternative approaches to the use of the sex offenders register in the UK

O'sullivan, J; Hoggett, James; Kemshall, Hazel; McCartan, Kieran

Abstract

This paper reviews the current position in relation to sex offender registration and community notification in England and Wales. It reports on data collected as part of a wider research project evaluating law enforcement perspectives
related to sex offender registration and notification and the management of sex offenders in the community. In examining law enforcement perceptions, it discusses
issues that have been raised related to information sharing and the efficacy of such schemes. The authors also consider how the sex offenders register and Child Disclosure
Scheme could be used more effectively in the future. Given that a similar child disclosure scheme was introduced in Northern Ireland in 2016, issues that practitioners in that jurisdiction may find it useful to consider are highlighted.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 26, 2016
• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jan 11, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 11, 2017
• Journal: Irish Probation Journal
• Print ISSN: 1649-6396
• Publisher: Probation Service
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Pages: 84-101
• Keywords: multi-agency working, sex offender registration, child sexual offender, disclosure scheme, police perceptions of registration, VISOR, information sharing
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/906905
• Publisher URL: http://www.probation.ie/EN/PB//WebPages/WP16000177
• Contract Date: Jan 11, 2017