Frequently Asked Questions

If citizens are unable to find sex offender registration information through the DPS web site, where else may they locate this information?
Citizens may contact their local law enforcement agencies to get sex offender registration information. Processing fees may be required.

How many sex offenders will re-offend?
In a comprehensive study of sex offenders, Dr. David Thornton found that 52% of high risk sex offenders and 10% of low risk sex offenders recidivated within 15 years of their arrests. One of the important challenges facing sex offender researchers today is the development of the most effective instruments for sex offender risk assessment.

Does sex offender treatment really work?
The most comprehensive studies show that strong behavior modification programs, such as those provided by registered sex offender therapists, reduce recidivism. They also note that traditional "therapies" show little effect on recidivism.

If citizens suspect someone of child sexual abuse, what should they do?
Texas law requires that anyone who suspects child abuse notify appropriate law enforcement agencies or Child Protective Services. If abuse is never reported, suspected abusers may always remain in the 84% of offenders who are never reported to police, and thus allowed to continue creating more victims.

Why should treatment teams be concerned by sex offenders’ observation of adult pornography?
As part of sex offender treatment, offenders learn how to control their sexual thoughts and behavior. For many, they also learn that sexual preoccupation is a part of their offense cycle. The use of pornography reinforces sexual preoccupation, and some legal pornography can still be used to fuel offenders' sexual fantasies of children.

What can citizens do about child pornography on the Internet?
Citizens may contact the Child Pornography Tip line operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. Additionally, they may access the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website to report possession of pornography or exploitation of children.

After completion of deferred supervision, are records wiped clean?
In some cases judges elect to “defer” convictions. In these cases successful completion of community supervision negates the appearance of convictions on offenders’ criminal histories. Records of arrests and community supervisions in these instances, however, are never expunged or erased. In most cases, sex offenders must continue to register as sex offenders long after completion of deferred supervision.