Types of sex offenses: what registrants are registered for

What the numbers say

Offenses against children dominate the registry. 46% of registrants on our index hold an offense we group as a sexual offense against a child, and that is before counting child sexual abuse material (9%) — the offense many statutes still call child pornography — and soliciting or enticing a minor (4%), which we count separately. Rape and sexual assault of adults and victims whose age the registry does not state make up 35%.

The shares are per registrant, not per conviction: someone registered for two different kinds of offense counts once in each group, so the bars add up to more than 100%. A registrant counts in a group when at least one offense their registry lists falls in it.

Sex offense types — questions

What are the most common sex offenses on the registry?

On our index, the most common is sexual offense against a child (46% of registrants whose entry names the offense), then rape or sexual assault (35%) and child sexual abuse material (9%). A registrant can hold offenses in more than one category.

What percentage of sex offenders committed offenses against children?

46% of registrants on our index hold at least one offense we group as a sexual offense against a child, and further shares hold child sexual abuse material (9%), soliciting or enticing a minor, or statutory offenses — groups we count separately.

What is a tier 3 sex offender?

Under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), tier III is the most serious tier: offenses punishable by more than a year in prison that are comparable to or more severe than aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, or abusive sexual contact against a minor under 13, plus certain kidnappings of a minor. Federal law sets lifetime registration for tier III (34 U.S.C. § 20915). States apply their own tier, level or risk schemes, so the label on a state registry can differ.

What is the difference between tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3?

In the federal SORNA scheme, tier I is the default for sex offenses not in tier II or III and carries a 15-year registration period; tier II covers more serious offenses and carries 25 years; tier III covers the most serious and carries life (34 U.S.C. §§ 20911, 20915). Many states use risk levels (low, moderate, high) or designations such as "sexual predator" instead.

Why are some people on the registry for failure to register?

Failing to register, update an address or report on time is itself a crime in every state that requires registration, and some registries list it as an offense alongside the original one. 5% of registrants on our index have such an entry.

Are there non-sexual offenses on sex offender registries?

Yes. Some states register people for offenses such as kidnapping of a minor, and a few registries combine sex offenders with violent offenders, so homicide or assault can appear. We group those as "non-sexual offense" rather than hiding them.

Does the registry show the exact crime?

Most state registries publish the offense description or statute for each registrant; a few publish only "out-of-state conviction" or a statute number. Where the text does not say what the offense was, we count it as "other or unspecified" instead of guessing.

How can I see what a specific person is registered for?

Search the person by name (and date of birth, if you have it). Each result shows the offenses the registry lists, with the official record link, photo and address.