ABSTRACT
This chapter will explore the moral panic created in the media around sex offenders which has resulted in various sex offender laws. The discussion will begin in the 1930s and examine how as social, moral, and political aspects of society change, so do the definitions of a sex offense. The chapter will explore how high-profile, atypical sex offenses led to the passage of the most serious sex offense legislation the United States has currently, including: the Jacob Wetterling Act, Megan’s Law, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, social media regulations, residency restrictions, GPS monitoring, and civil commitment. The public’s view on sex offenders will be discussed, as will the views of the ninety-four women involved with sex offenders who participated in this study.
