Registration and Community Notification

In 2019, Massachusetts made the bold decision to decriminalize sexual behaviors in children under the age of 12.1 This decision is part of a growing trend to provide resources for children and families when problems emerge. However, Massachusetts still does not make a distinction between adolescents as young as 12 and adults in terms of sex offender registration requirements (Justice Policy Institute, 2008). The continued use of this policy is notable, given the growing movement in the United States to clarify the distinction between adults who sexually offend and children or adolescents who engage in sexually abusive behaviors. Further, there is a convincing body of research that shows how damaging such laws can be to the still-developing youth.

A New Perspective On College Sexual Misconduct

In order to effectively address sexual misconduct on college and university campuses, it is necessary to understand the complexity of campus sexual misconduct, the students who have been harmed, and importantly, the students who engage in harmful behavior. But what are the prominent media images of these students who have caused sexual harm?

Addressing Youth Sexting: A Public Health Approach 

Given the substantial body of research that shows how damaging adult sex offender laws can be to the still-developing youth and the larger community, there is a growing movement in the USA to clarify the distinction between adults who sexually abuse and the children or adolescents who engage in sexually abusive behaviors. This paper outlines the problem in Massachusetts, provides a systematic presentation of relevant research, and suggests a path to rectifying that problem.

Rethinking Our Approach to Adolescents: Considering Age-Appropriate Responses to Problematic Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Massachusetts

This paper provides an overview about how the differences in adolescent development should beconsidered when developing policies that address the problem of sexual violence, and they should serve as the foundation for creating systemic responses and interventions that are demonstrably different for adolescents and adults in the vast majority of cases.