ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Sex offender

Okay kiddo, let's talk about something called a "sex offender." You know how we have rules to keep us safe and happy? Like not touching the stove when it's hot, or looking both ways before crossing the street? Well, sometimes people break a really important rule called "inappropriate touching," which means touching someone's private parts in a way that they don't like or want.

When someone does this, they're breaking the law and it's a very serious thing. After they're caught, they might be labeled as a "sex offender," which means they have to follow special rules to keep other people safe. These rules might include things like:

1. Staying away from places where children or vulnerable people like old people live.
2. Registering with the government so that people know where they live and can keep an eye on them.
3. Not using the internet or social media to talk to people who are under 18.
4. Talking to a special therapist to understand why they did what they did and learn how to never do it again.

Being a sex offender is a really big deal, and it's not something that anyone should ever want to be. But it's important to know that most people aren't sex offenders, and that we should always tell a grown-up we trust if someone touches us in a way that makes us feel uncomfortable or scared.
Related topics others have asked about: