Citizens For Change New Mexico
We believe … that no sexual abuse or sexual assault is
acceptable whether it be against children or adults.
We believe … that the Notification (Sex Offender Registry) and Proximity Laws
have evolved into a system that does not protect children from sex offenders and
have created a false sense of security.
We believe … that the Sex Offender Registry must be returned to its original
intent - tracking the most dangerous and predatory offenders and intentional
absconders - in order for it to be an effective tool.
We believe … in a Five Tiered system of risk assessment that allows offenders to
progressively earn their freedom from restrictions and not be forever branded by
a single event.
We believe … that the rights of victims, offenders and their families must all
be considered in determining sex offender policy.
We believe … that each case must be judged on its own merits with a punishment
that fits the crime.
We believe … in balanced and restorative justice and Constitutional protection
in place of retributive justice and banishment for former offenders and their
families.
We believe … that chronic and/or violent offenders need to be separated from
society and released conditionally only on proof of reform.
We believe … that laws addressing sex offenses must be based on research and not
on emotion, myths, and misconceptions.
We believe … in increased penalties for using the registries to harass or
intimidate offenders.
We believe … that funds must be made available for research into factors
impacting sex offenses, effective therapeutic approaches and management
techniques, and education and prevention strategies.
We believe … that potential offenders battling sexually deviant thoughts must be
allowed to seek structured and accountability-based therapy without being
exposed to mandatory reporting.
We believe … that statutory offenders age 21 and younger must have the
opportunity to be removed from registries if no sexually deviant attributes
exist.
We believe … that juvenile offenders must not be placed on the registry.
We believe … that offenses such as public urination, “mooning”, and other
incidental nudity should not be considered to be sex offenses and must not be on
the registry.
We believe … that the vast amounts of money spent, budgeted and planned for
retributive justice would be better spent on proven treatment and prevention
programs and strategies.
We believe … that family reunification can often be achieved through therapy and
support for the victim, offender, and family members along with the offender’s
dedication to change.
We believe … that defining an offender as “violent” or “predatory” must be based
on their history and the offense and not arbitrary constructs. An offender
should not be categorized as “violent” when no violence was involved or
“predatory” when no sexual offense history exists.
We believe … that people can change, improve themselves, and accomplish their
own human revolution.