The period for sex offenders in the state of Michigan to register changes in their address and other personal information is fast approaching, meaning those who do not comply could face prosecution.
Under Michigan law, sex offenders have until Jan. 15 to register any change in name, address, employment, campus enrollment, internet identifier and vehicle change.
Ingham County has 748 residents on their offenders list, 21 of whom reside in East Lansing.
Last year, a string of sexual assaults left many students fearing for their safety.
Vernon, Mich. resident Oswald Scott Wilder is accused of assaulting four women, all either MSU students or alumna, between March 16 and May 30.
Wilder previously admitted to committing the assaults during police interrogation, he could face life in prison if convicted.
No trial date has been set yet.
Despite the incidents, on-campus procedures for sexual assault and sex offenders have not changed, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said.
But the issue lies in a culture of violence, not police enforcement, Women’s Resource Center Interim Director Jayne Schuiteman said.
Although women aren’t the only victims of sexual assault, she said sexual violence is sometimes used as a way to oppress or control.
“It’s not unique to MSU, but I think our culture condones it (sexual assault),” she said. “It’s seen as a way to keep women in their place.”
Schuiteman said she is happy the Michigan law is in place and said maintaining the registry is important.
“I think it’s important that the registry is maintained, and I think the window of time is good,” she said.
The change can be made by going into a local law enforcement office.
Failure to do so could result in two-four years of incarceration.
Sgt. Bruce Payne, the Michigan State Police statewide Sexual Offender Registry coordinator, said the process is fairly simple.
“If someone hasn’t changed their address we typically just review their information at the time with the officer and sign off with them,” he said.
Payne said the deadline is strict because after January 15, the sex offender registry automatically lists offenders as not being in compliance with the law.
“Some people do forget,” he said. “We want to make sure the offender is compliant and we work together with them to make that happen.”
The amount of times an offender has to register any change in information per year is dependent on what tier of offender they are.
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Payne said the most severe offenders, or tier 3, have to register changes in information every quarter during the first 15 days of January, April, July and October.
Lesser offenders on tiers 1 and 2 have to register either once a year or twice a year, depending on the severity of their crimes.
