On December 11, 2018, Hennepin County Judge Susan Robiner issued an important ruling regarding residency restrictions for individuals who have sexually offended. The ruling only applies to Dayton, Minnesota, but it has statewide implications. The Minnesota Chapter of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (MnATSA) believes Judge Robiner’s ruling is responsible and well-reasoned. The efficacy of residency restrictions has been extensively researched, resulting in ATSA’s position, that the trend of local or state residency laws, broadly and indiscriminately applied to those who have sexually offended are unwarranted and do not contribute to public safety.
MnATSA members live and work in our communities and share common goals for community safety. MnATSA believes that the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) responsibly apply current research and best practices to the treatment and management of individuals who have sexually offended. When implementing carefully considered judicial orders, DHS and DOC professionals capably work to integrate unique client needs with appropriate levels of community supervision to help ensure that carefully screened, eligible individuals return successfully to the community. Public safety remains the top priority.
