More than 15 years ago, the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act was passed. Also known as the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, the law requires registration on an official sex offender registry of any juveniles aged 14 years or older who commit certain sexual offenses. Prior to that, Megan’s Law was enacted. It too authorizes law enforcement agencies to publicize the names of convicted sex offenders who are living or working in a local community.

According to the Juvenile Law Center, “approximately 200,000 people in 38 states are currently on the sex offender registry for crimes they committed as children. Some were put on the registry when they were as young as eight years old.”