Colorado Officials Move To Drop ‘Sex Offender’ Term Due To ‘Negative Impacts’ On Sex Offenders

When is a sex offender not a sex offender? When the sex offender takes umbrage at the term sex offender.

The Colorado Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) voted on Friday to do away with the term. The board voted 10-6 to change the term to “adults who commit sexual offenses” in its Standards and Guidelines for the Assessment, Evaluation, Treatment and Behavioral Monitoring of Adult Sex Offenders.

“The language change applies only to the SOMB Standards; the term ‘sex offender’ will continue to be used in Colorado statute and the criminal justice system, including courts, law enforcement and the Colorado Sex Offender Registry. The name of the SOMB itself will also remain unchanged,” the board wrote, according to The Post Millennial.

“The board is responsible for treating, managing and monitoring adult sex offenders in the state. Friday’s meeting went over a list of five new possible terms, focusing on ‘person-first language,’ before the board voted to use the pick,” the site said. – READ MORE