Child Sexual Abuse Essay

Some sexual predators who are convicted of sexually abusing children and serve time in prison or treatment centers, continue to sexually abuse and victimize children even after their release.   Yet, they are still allowed to live among the general population.   As children continue to be sexually abused in today’s society, steps are being taken to deter repeat offenders.   Though it will probably never stop, some organizations are helping to reduce the number of sexually assaulted children by having known sexual predators register within their communities as such.   There are, however, some that continue to get away without registering.   By taking more drastic measures against sex offenders the first time a sexual crime against a child is committed can lessen the chance of becoming repeat offenders.   The majority of United States has stricter laws, thus stricter punishments, such as longer jail time and possibly the death penalty. (Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives, 2007)   Some organizations are supporters of chemical castration as a way to deter repeat offenders, but others argue that it is considered cruel and unusual punishment.   It has become visible through research that no matter what the answer, the simple fact is more is being done to try to deter sexual predators from becoming repeat offenders.
    The Jacob Wetterling Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act was developed after 11 year-old Jacob disappeared, never to return.   Police later found out that sex offenders were being sent to live in halfway houses nearby.   The act required all 50 states to have effective registration programs for convicted child molesters and other sexually violent offenders.   (Parent's For Megan's Law and The Crime Victims Center, 2007 p. 2)   Then, Megan’s Law was enacted in 1996, after a child (Megan Kanka) was lured into a neighbor’s home, raped and killed, requiring all 50 states to release information to the public about known convicted sex...