Friends of Justice

Please join us for an evening of learning and discussion on one of the most controversial issues in America today…

The Case for Dismantling the Sex Offender Registry: What the Research Shows

with Dr. Emily Horowitz, author of Protecting Our Kids? How Sex Offender Laws are Failing Us

Thursday, October 25 @ 7pm

Cambridge Friends Center, 5 Longfellow Park (off Brattle Street coming out of Harvard Square, Cambridge)

Emily Horowitz, Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at St. Francis College (Brooklyn, NY), will review some of the research and evidence about sex offense registries and the harm they cause. She will discuss recent efforts to challenge these popular but ineffective and damaging policies.

“The sex offense registry is essentially a naming and shaming scheme that doesn’t protect anyone. Over 20 years of studies and research show our sex offense legal regime doesn’t make us safer or protect anyone, as it costs millions and destroys lives. There are nearly 1 million people on sex offense registries in the United States, and the number increases each year. Those interested in criminal justice reform must consider the draconian sex offense legal regime in advocacy efforts, though it is an issue that is often orphaned in bipartisan efforts to reduce mass incarceration.” Emily Horowitz

Following Dr. Horowitz will be a panel discussion with those impacted by the registry including:

• Nancy DiZio, treatment provider, New England Forensic Associates
• Tim Anderson, resident at the Southampton street shelter
• Bill Canavan, director, Boston Release Network

Sponsored by the: Sex Offender Policy Reform Initiative (SOPRI) of the Criminal Justice Policy Coalition, ACLU of Massachusetts, National Center for Reason and Justice, and Boston Release Network.

For Information call 617-623-5288 or go to www.sopri-ma.org