TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - The illusion of safety: the right to privacy of sex offenders
JO  - Journal of media law
A1  - Corbett, Val
SP  - 89
EP  - 115
VL  - 3
IS  - 1
N2  - This article explores the question as to whether the public has a legitimate interest in the disclosure of private information regarding the identity or whereabouts of convicted sex offenders upon their release from custody or whether such disclosure by media outlets amounts to an unjustifiable intrusion on the offender's right to privacy. In this regard, the offender's right to privacy (as an aspect of his autonomy) is debated. The public interest (or otherwise) in such information is examined by reference to similar debates which have taken place in the United States surrounding community notification laws, otherwise known as 'Megan's Law', which allow for the widespread dissemination in that jurisdiction of such information to the public at large. In light of the expansion of similar schemes in the United Kingdom ('Sarah's Law') and recent case law in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the author considers whether the appropriate balance has been struck between the competing interests of privacy and the public interest/public safety in these circumstances.<p />
LA  - en
SN  - 1757-7632
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.5235/175776311796471233
ID  - ref1
ER  -