In Alabama, Republican Governor Kay Ivey signed into law a bill mandating child sex offenders undergo chemical castration as a condition of their parole. The law would apply to anyone found convicted of committing a sexual offense with a child under the age of 13. Six other states have similar laws for certain sex offenders.
Medical experts and human rights groups have raised concerns about the practice. The Alabama American Civil Liberties Union says that chemical castration is unconstitutional as it violates due process and privacy laws. The executive director of the Alabama ACLU said of the new law, “They really misunderstand what sexual assault is about. Sexual assault isn’t about sexual gratification. It’s about power. It’s about control.”
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