Sex offender statuses

Though anyone convicted of committing a sex-related crime is considered a "sex offender," there are varying degrees of the damage inflicted by the guilty party. For example, there are men who are convicted of having sex with an underage, but consenting, girlfriend. They are labeled sex offenders, and must carry that title for the rest of hteir lives. However, he performed the act with the girl after she consented; it is considered rape only because of her status as a minor, and the age difference, not because the sex was forced. He is not, therefore, a danger to the community. It was a unique situation. He is not a pedophile, and does not feel compelled to repeat the situation with other minors. A law that would force him to notify the entire community of his "sex offender" status would be unfair, as he does not pose any sort of threat to the community, or to the children living there. Regardless, it is likely that he may be abused, harassed, or told in what areas of the town he may live (so that he does not live too close to any daycare centers or schools).On the other hand, a man who has a fetish for young children, feels the need to satisfy his sexual impulses, or gets a kick out of forcing women to have sex with him, is a huge danger to the community. A criminal who is convicted, often repeatedly, of crimes such as rape and child molestation, can inarguably be labeled a "sex offender" for life. Regardless of the harsh reactions he may receive from neighbors for announcing his status to them, community notification laws are absolutely needed to inform the people living nearby of his presence, as there is a big chance that he may be compelled to repeat the criminal behavior. Therefore, there are varying degrees of sex offender status that should be considered in community notification laws. Some people were inarguably convected of a sex crime, but pose no danger to society in the future. They are not likely to repeat the crime, as it was a unique situation. Others shows signs of criminal sexual compulsions that will not go away, and the only way to protect people from being future victims is by notifying them of the criminal's presence nearby.