Look at the silhouetted figure accompanying this editorial. Imagine for one moment how much heartache and pain could be avoided if the dark intents of an individual's heart were displayed prominently on his or her countenance. How much easier would life be if you could spot a sex offender as easily as this figure? We know this is just wishful thinking, but, for a brief moment, the thought is overwhelming.
Sex offenses are an extreme violation of trust. The Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice reports that only 9 percent of victims report being assaulted by a stranger. It is very likely that friends and family members assaulted an overwhelming majority of the victims. The CCJJ 's report also found 86 percent of the assault victims were assaulted the first time before they were 18 years old.
Sexual assaults are crimes that victimize the most vulnerable members of society and rob them of their innocence. They are selfish, depraved acts that should be viewed with contempt. It only makes sense that society punishes those individuals who commit these acts and then do everything they can to prevent the tragedy from happening again. But we fear community members may rely too heavily on the sex offender registry to tell them whom to beware.
We do not discredit the Utah Sex Offender Registry or those who have labored diligently to provide the community with up-to-date information about convicted sex offenders; but, in all honesty, the registry is far from perfect. It only reports those who have been convicted of a sex offense - a dismally small number. The CCJJ reports only one of 36 sexual assaults will result in conviction for the perpetrator. There are many wolves in sheep's clothing among us. If community members place too much trust in the registry, it will lull them into a false sense of security because it only points out those who have already been de-fleeced.
It is highly unlikely society will ever have a complete sex offender registry. Parents and responsible community members have a solemn obligation to remain vigilant and teach their children to talk when something bad happens. It is not the sex offender who has already been convicted and added to the registry that is the greatest threat; it is the sex offender that we have yet to discover.