Dr. Margaret Fitzgerald-O'Reilly:

I wish to echo the comments of the panel. It is notable that sex offenders, once released, are at a higher risk of homelessness, which is one of the recidivistic factors that often come into play. There is another problem. Even though such harassment orders are of course a positive step, they might in some way distance offenders from reconnecting with their families. Forming those family ties can be an important way of overcoming the stigmatic narrative of the previous sexual offending. Again, this is for people who want to overcome that previous behaviour and be reintegrated. It is about encouraging the maintenance of those relationships, where appropriate, in order to facilitate reintegration.