From Rage to Reason: Why We Need Sex Crime Laws Based on Facts, Not Fear (Bloomsbury, 2023), by Emily Horowitz.
In this timely and extensively researched book, sociologist Emily Horowitz shows how current sex-offense policies in the United States create new forms of harm and prevent those who have caused harm from the process of constructive repentance or contributing to society after punishment. Horowitz also illustrates the failure of criminal justice responses to social problems. Sharing detailed narratives from the experiences of those on registries and their loved ones, Horowitz reveals the social impact and cycle of violence that results from dehumanizing and banishing those who have already been held accountable.
From Rage to Reason offers a new perspective on how and why false claims about sex offenses became so pervasive and how these myths fostered ineffective policies that have little to do with the reality of most sexual abuse. It argues that to truly prevent sexual abuse, we must unearth the sources of these misunderstandings, debunk these claims in a systematic way, and have frank and genuine discussions about the limits of legal responses to complex social problems.
Reviews
“This may be the bravest book you have ever read. Horowitz’s meticulous interviews with people on sex offender registries returns a modicum of humanity not just to them but, more importantly, to the rest of us. As she aptly describes, registries are utterly useless for preventing new sex crimes. All they do is sentence to social and civil death people who have already served their time of punishment and labored to repent. We can ill afford to deny rights and humanity to anyone in our culture. To do so cuts us all at an Achilles heel that very few are willing to acknowledge. Horowitz won’t let us look away.” ―Debbie Nathan, Prize-winning Journalist, Author of Sybil Exposed: The Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case & Satan’s Silence: Ritual Abuse And The Making Of A Modern American Witch Hunt
“The compelling stories Horowitz tells in From Rage to Reason bring home, more powerfully than could any statistical analysis, the systematic and gratuitous harms generated by America’s unique program of government-sponsored shunning of people who have already been fully punished for a sexual offense. Her stories show how the senseless barriers registry laws erect to gainful employment, adequate housing, and normal parenting often destroy the registrants’ families along with their futures, while contributing nothing to public safety. These are stories we need to hear.” ―Ira Mark Ellman, Distinguished Affiliated Scholar, Center for the Study of Law and Society, University of California, Berkeley
“From Rage to Reason offers an unvarnished look at the crippling realities of life on the sex offense registry. Crafted from over 100 in-depth interviews, From Rage to Reason is storytelling at its best, vividly portraying the needless abuse and punishment directed at those society deems to be “others.”” ―Catherine L. Carpenter, Arleigh M. Woods and William T. Woods Chair, Southwestern Law School and President, Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws
SOURCE: From Rage to Reason: Why We Need Sex Crime Laws Based on Facts, Not Fear (Bloomsbury, 2023), by Emily Horowitz.
Can we send a copy to all the state legislators?
@Rick
I was thinking the same thing. I wish they had it in a paperback instead of hardcover book. ($65) little pricing to send it to legislators, but I do have a few legislators I would love to send the book to. I think they MAY READ it, but I’m not in Florida.
Bravo for Horowitz!
We need voices like hers to counter the (literally) moronic ideas put forward by persons who claim that the current registry scheme is the pinnacle of excellence in public policy.
Mark Glass recently made comments to the effect that the registry is effective and excellent when discussing public policy in Florida.
It is obvious to any thoughtful person that, in fact, the opposite (!) of his comments are actually true and correct.
Thank goodness for scholars like Dr. Horowitz!
Most people who’ve never in trouble with an unjust law believe they can count on the “Bill of Rights” in the Constitution for their defense. The truth is, they can’t. There are a number of DOJ scenarios out there currently, more than just the Democratic/MAGA one we see in the news every day. The FBI has been weaponized long before conservatives have been complaining about it in the last few years. The war on sex, “me-tooism” began just before Justice William O. Douglas left SCOTUS, the last true champion of civil and human rights on the court.
The only way an ordinary citizen has any sort of honest Justice today when he’s accused of a crime is to have very deep pockets and rock star lawyers handling your case.
This is a good book.
Maybe if the organizations that get massive financial support would use some of their resources to purchase these books for those who want to (or NEED to) read them, we could make an impact.
We don’t all have $65 for a book BUT if we raised money to but a set amount in bulk we can offer some at a reduced rate, or even free, to those who can benefit from these books.
This Book called from rage to reason may sound good but there is always a downside to everything and also two sides. Guess many are in rage over the “Star Spangled Banner”. Yes land of the free and home of the brave.. Let freedom Ring. One might say its the home of rush to judgement with these sex registry issues. Sounds a bit strange to me also.
Might as well say from Rage to Accountability or like Gannon said “just the facts ma”am” Yes fact is many were set up, Fact is many had porn on their computer, Fact is many got induced my these con men or authorities. Fact is if you still want your cake and eat it too that’s reality. So were does truth come in… Romans. 13.