Sex Offenders

Overview of the Law
The sex offender Registry Act:
  • Creates a central Registry for sex offender data
  • Requires various agencies to contribute data to the registry
  • Requires sex offenders to register at local Police Departments
  • Provides that registry data be made available to law enforcement agencies
  • Provides that registry data be made available to the public in certain situations
  • Requires police to notify the public of the presence of certain sex offenders

Level 2/3 Offender Registry

Definition of a Sex Offender
A sex offender is a person convicted of a sex offense or who has been adjudicated as youthful offender or as a delinquent juvenile by reason of a sex offense or a person released from incarceration or parole or probation supervision for such a conviction or adjudication, whichever last occurs, on or after the date of August 1, 1981.

Sex Offenses
  • Indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. (Chapter 265, Section 13B)
  • Indecent assault and battery on a mentally retarded person. (Chapter 265, Section 13F)
  • Indecent assault and battery on a person who has obtained the age of 14. (Chapter 265, Section 13H)
  • Rape (including aggravated rape and carnal abuse) (Chapter 265, Section 22)
  • Rape of a child under 16 with force. (Chapter 265, Section 22A)
  • Rape and abuse of a child. (Chapter 265, Section 24)
  • Assault with intent to commit rape. (Chapter 265, Section 24)
  • Assault of a child under 16 with intent to commit rape. (Chapter 265, Section 24B)
  • Kidnapping of a child under the age of 16. (Chapter 265, Section 26)
  • Open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior. (Chapter 272, Section 16)
  • Unnatural and lascivious acts with a child under 16. (Chapter 272, Section 35A)
  • An attempt to commit a violation of any of the above mentioned crimes or a like violation of the law of another state is also considered to be a sex offense.
Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Data
There are 3 ways the public can obtain sex offender data:
  • By requesting a sex offender report from the Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB)
  • By appearing at the local police department
  • By community notification from local police
Requests From Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB)
Requester must be 18 years of age or older and submit a completed form, (available at the police station), to CHSB. Request information on a specific individual, identified by name, job, or sufficient personal identifying characteristics; or request information on any or all sex offenders who live or work within 1 mile radius of a specified location. A record of all inquiries is kept.

Requests From Ipswich Police Department
Requester must be 18 years of age or older and appear in person at the Ipswich Police Station with proper identification. Requester must state that the reason for inquiry is for requestor's own protection, or for the protection of a child, that they have responsibility, care, or custody. A Record form must be completed and signed by the requester.

Community Notification
Sex offender's are classified by the Sex Offender Registry Board by the following levels:
  • Level 1 - Risk of re-offense is low
  • Level 2 - Risk of re-offense is moderate
  • Level 3 - Risk of re-offense is high
  • Sexually Violent Predator
The law was originally enacted stating that when an offender is classified as a level 3, community notification shall be made by the Ipswich Police Department to those organizations or individuals of the community who are likely to encounter the offender. Level 2, states that the Police Department shall notify organizations in the community likely to encounter the offender. A level 1 offender's information can only be accessed by a request to the CHSB, or the Ipswich Police Department.

A sex offender registry information (SORI) request from the police can be made for a specific individual by name or identifying characteristics. A request for a list of offenders will be disseminated for a specific location, or all registered sex offenders that reside or work within a 1 mile radius of the location.