Legislative Action to End Youth Registration

Youth Registration State Strategy Session

What: A two-day convening for policy advocates. Teams will learn about the impact of registration on youth and develop legislative action plans to eliminate youth registration in their state.
When: May 18-19, 2020 (Chicago, Illinois)

Application process:

1. Assemble a state team. Each team must have a lead advocate and a diverse group of 5-7 additional individuals representing some or all of the following stakeholders: survivors of sexual crimes, individuals or family members currently registering as sex offenders for offenses committed as children, individuals from organizations that treat victims or perpetrators of sexual abuse, public defenders, law enforcement (police, district attorney, sheriff), legislators, juvenile court judges, or funders who support youth justice policy reform. Funding is available for state teams.
2. Complete a Team Application.
3. Submit your application on or before February 1, 2020. Teams will be notified by March 1, 2020 if they have been selected to participate in the State Strategy Session.

Questions? Email Riya Saha Shah at [email protected]. Download the event flier.

Labelled for Life

Over 200,000 individuals are on sex offender registries for offenses they committed as children. Registration can last a child’s lifetime and cause significant barriers to education, employment, social relationships, and well-being.

Although some states have improved registration requirements for youth through legislation, the consequence of labeling a child as a sex offender for any period of time is severe. Leading researchers have studied the impact of registration on young people and their families and have new data demonstrating the harm it causes.

Legislative advocacy is needed—in coordination with litigation—to end youth registration completely.