Education

Getting Educated is the best defense against sex crimes.

We want to educate 3 groups:

Young people in general need to know the laws governing sex. While ‘sex education’ is taught in schools, it seldom engages the youth in what the law prohibits and the severe consequences. Certainly, young people need to know about the dangers of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. But many young people are also ignorant of the dangers of legal prosecution and life-changing consequences for engaging in certain activities.

We want to educate former offenders and their families on and off the registry about their rights and the law. Legal technicalities and associated barriers to understanding certain restrictions leads to ‘technical’ violations by well-meaning persons, and do so needlessly. We also want former offenders to understand that they did not give up their rights to human dignity and the right to pursue productive goals in life.

We want to educate parents, educators, lawmakers, and the world on which policies related to sex crimes work, and which don’t. The misinformation on this topic is rampant. Incorrect assumptions and ill-conceived public policy make our society LESS SAFE. We desire a world with fewer victims. Knee-jerk reaction laws and hysteria are not productive means to this end.

Links

In Oregon

Research And Education

U.S. Affiliates

Want to see your website linked here? Want to see your website NOT linked here? website@oregonvoices.org

The next general meeting will be on Zoom on November 15. Check your email for details.

COVID-19 Update

Since March, the Oregon State Police have
allowed registration by telephone. This system is still in effect but be sure to check for updates
before you register. Details on OSP website.
SOR Web Announcement

REGISTRATION RELIEF HEARING UPDATE

The BPPPS has been conducting hearings for relief from the registry since 2019, both in-person and by phone or video. With Covid, there are no in- person hearings at present. By mid-September, 185 applications had been received, 93 hearings had been completed and 75 people were granted relief. Many did not have attorneys. Unscored registrants who believe they are eligible for relief should contact BPPPS for instructions.

See the BPPPS website for details and instructions.

PROPOSED SORNA AMENDMENTS
The US Attorney General’s office has issued
proposed modifications to SORNA (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act). These could potentially mean changes in all state registries. Oregon’s registry is risk-based; the federal system is crime-based with tiers that conflict with our risk levels. Oregon Voices, and our affiliated
organizations in other states, have submitted
comments objecting to the proposed changes. We will continue to work both nationally and in Oregon to oppose these changes.

COVID IN OUR PRISONS
Data from the Marshal Project has over 143,000 adults in custody infected nationwide by October with 1,222 deaths. On Oct. 28, DOC listed 1254 AIC cases and 16 deaths. The number of active cases in most institutions has been dropping-except for OSCI, who experienced a severe outbreak following their evacuation to OSP for the fires.