Files and links (1)
Free to read and download, Open Access
When a juvenile is identified as a sex offender, it creates a need for a new set of information for the parents of the offender. Information may be very difficult to find, and many books and articles cast a stigma on the parents, who are already stricken with shock and dismay that their child is a sexual offender. If the victim is a member of the same family, the situation and need for information takes on an even greater complexity and urgency.
In my research I identified the major information needs of parents of juvenile sex offenders, such as how to find legal help, obtain treatment, or locate alternative housing for the offender. Parents may want to know the probably of recidivism, or whether their child will be required to register as a sex offender. I examined the barriers to the information, including fear of exposure and difficulty in locating resources. I then sought out resources for parents of the juvenile offender.
My research included books and articles, trips to libraries for firsthand experience in checking out such materials, and Internet resources. What is needed is a central location with a list of community resources that is easily accessible, private, and neutral, with at least an access point in the public library. The library could collaborate with a children’s justice center or abuse hotline to collect resources, easing the burden on already overburdened parents.