Vcic presents an awareness guide for law enforcement

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Sex Offender Awareness GuideSex Offender Awareness Guide

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Vermont Crime Information Center

VCIC presents an awareness guide for Law Enforcement and the Community.

Understanding the VT Sex Offender Registry and Sexual Violence

Vermont Crime Information Center

103 South Main Street

Waterbury, VT 05671

(802) 241-5400


vcic.vermont.govvcic.vermont.gov2

Vermont Crime Information Center Vermont Crime Information Center

Mission statement:

This CD is provided as a training guide for Law Enforcement and the community in an on-going effort to raise the level of community awareness regarding sex crimes, offenders and the Vermont Sex Offender Registry.

The table of contents allows you to select any or all of the topics for presentation, depending on the goals and community needs you have established.

The program assumes the presenter will have some level of understanding regarding the topics of discussion but the overall design of the program is such that even someone with minimal knowledge of the subject matter will come away with an increased level of understanding.

We at VCIC hope you find this CD of value. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any assistance.




Table of Contents (Page 1 of 2):

• Introduction and Overview

• Objectives

• Vermont Crime Data

• 2004 Rape Crime Report • Total Sex Offenses • Victim Age • Victim Gender • Offender Age • Offender Gender • Victim – Offender Relationship

• Summary • End

• VT Sex Offender Registry

• VT Sex Offender Registry mission• Historical Perspective• Current VT requirements

• Who must register • Length of Registration• Internet postings• Sample SOR Internet info

• SOR Procedures• Types of Notification• Dissemination of Info• What can be released• Community Notification• Response to Notification• Summary• End

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Table of Contents (Page 2 of 2):

• Sex Crime Offenders

• Offender Overview

• Who are Sex Offenders

• Where do Sex Offenders find their victims

• Sex Offender Types

• Sex Offender Behavior

• Sexual Recidivism

• Summary

• End

• Sex Crime Prevention

• Prevention Overview

• Effective Prevention Strategies

• What do Victims tell us

• What citizens can do to protect themselves

• 8 Safety Rules for Children

• Summary • End

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Information Sources

• Vermont Sex Offender Registry• (802) 241-5400

• Internet• Vermont SOR:

• http://www.dps.state.vt.us/cjs/s_registry.htm• National SOR:

• http://www.nsopr.gov/

• Probation/parole officers




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Sex Crime Introduction & OverviewSex Crime Introduction & Overview


Introduction And Overview

The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) is charged by Vermont law with the retention and maintenance of complete, accurate and timely criminal history records. By law it is also the repository of the Sex Offender Registry.

This public service presentation is designed as an informational and educational aid for law enforcement and the community and is not intended to be an all-inclusive source for sex crime information.

Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC)




Objectives• To provide a tool to aid law enforcement.

• To help educate the community regarding Vermont’s Sex Offender Registry, sex offenders and sex crimes .

• To heighten understanding of the actual dangers within the community regarding sex crimes and sex offenders.

• To promote public safety by reducing the opportunity for sex crimes through public awareness.




Vermont Crime Data

• The following slides provide statistical data pertaining to sex crimes in Vermont for 2010.

• All information is readily available to law enforcement and the public through Vermont Crime On-Line at the following internet address:

http://vcic.vermont.gov/crime%20statistics/Vermont%20Crime%20On-Line




Vermont Rape Crime 2010 Report Summary • In 2010, 30% of reported forcible rapes occurred in Chittenden

County. • The average age of forcible rape victims was 21 years old. • Approximately 51% of rape victims in 2010 were under the age

of 18. • In 81% of the cases the defendant was an acquaintance of the

victim. • In 21% of the cases the defendant was either a family member

or an intimate partner of the victim. • In only 2% of the cases was the defendant a stranger. • The average age of defendants arrested for forcible rape was

29 years of age. • Approximately 38% of defendants arrested for forcible rape

were under 21 years of age. • Nearly 76% of forcible rapes occurred in a residence. • Injuries were sustained by 53% of the victims.




Total Sex Offenses (Vermont - 2010)

86% of reported sex offenses were forcible




Victim Age (Vermont - 2010)

58% of sex offense victims were between 10 and 17 years of age




Victim Gender (Vermont - 2010)

86% of sex offense victims were female




Offender Age (Vermont - 2010)

Average age of known sex offenders was 29 years old




Offender Gender (Vermont - 2010)

94% of known sex offenders

were male




Victim to Offender Relationship (Vermont - 2010)

66% of the known offenders were acquaintances of the victim

The offender was a stranger in only 2% of the cases!




Summary• The previous data and charts were designed to provide an

overview of some of the key issues regarding sex crimes in Vermont. This data reveals the following generalities about the average sex crime in Vermont:

• Offenders tend to be male between 13 and 50 years old

• Victims tend to be female

• Victims tend to be between 12 and 24 years old

• The victim is often an acquaintance or family member of the offender

*Note: These are generalities and there are always exceptions to the rule. Everyone should be cognizant of potential risk in any circumstance.




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Vermont Sex Offender Registry Vermont Sex Offender Registry



VT Sex Offender Registry

Bonnie Goode

Coordinator

VT Sex Offender Registry

VCIC




Sex Offender Registry (SOR) Mission:

• To deter and reduce sexual crime by:

• Maintaining a statewide registry of convicted sex offenders

• Assisting law enforcement to protect the community from sexual crime

• Providing sex offender information and sex crime prevention training for law enforcement and the community




The following slides give a brief historical perspectiveregarding the development of sex offender registrationlegislation in the United States and in Vermont. Like most legislation it was a reactive response to specific incidents and events. Current laws are a result of cumulative changes and modifications over a period of time.

Historical Perspective




Historical Perspective (cont.)

• 11 year old Jacob Wetterling• Non-family abduction on October 22, 1989

by an armed, masked man.• Intensive search by local police and FBI.• Jacob still has not been found.• Jacob Wetterling Act

• On September 13, 1994, Congress passed Jacob Wetterling Act

• Mandates all states and territories to set up sex offender registration program by 9/13/97.





• 7 year old Megan Kanka• New Jersey - July 29, 1994

• 7 year old Megan Kanka lured into neighbor’s home to see puppy.

• Megan sexually assaulted and murdered by strangulation.

• Megan's body found in nearby park several days later.

• Jesse Timmendequas, twice-convicted sex offender arrested.

• Megan’s Law• Passed May 17, 1996. Amends Jacob

Wetterling Act.• Mandates the establishment of the

community notification process no later than 9/13/97.




• Pam Lychner• Houston real estate agent• Brutally raped by twice-convicted felon while

showing a home• Formed a victim advocate group called “Justice

for All”• Killed with her 2 daughters in crash of TWA

flight 800 in 1996• Pam Lychner Sexual Offender Tracking and

Identification Act• Passed by Congress in October 1996.• Requires lifetime registration for “recidivist” or

“aggravated” offenders





Historical Perspective (cont.)• Jeanne Clery

• 19 years old• Lehigh University freshman• Raped & murdered April 5, 1986, while

asleep in her residence hall• Parents discovered there were 38

violent crimes on campus that students were unaware of

• 2000 - Congress amends the Jacob Wetterling Act with the “Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act” (Effective 10/27/2002)

• Mandates sex offenders to report employment or enrollment information to law enforcement

• Law enforcement must forward information to campus police “promptly” (as soon as possible)




Historical Perspective (cont.)• July 1, 1996 Vermont Legislature enacts VT Sex Offender Registry Legislation

• Vermont Sex Offender Registry Law – Title 13 Vermont Statutes Annotated• § 5402. Sex offender registry:

• (a) The department of public safety shall establish and maintain a sex offender registry, which shall consist of the information required to be filed under this subchapter.

• (b) All information contained in the registry may be disclosed for any purpose permitted under the law of this state, including use by:

• (1) local, state and federal law enforcement agencies exclusively for lawful law enforcement activities;

• (2) state and federal governmental agencies for the exclusive purpose of conducting confidential background checks;

• (3) any employer, including a school district, who is authorized by law to request records and information from the Vermont criminal information center, where such disclosure is necessary to protect the public concerning persons required to register under this subchapter. The identity of a victim of an offense that requires registration shall not be released; and

• (4) a person identified as a sex offender in the registry for the purpose of reviewing the accuracy of any record relating to him or her. The identity of a victim of an offense that requires registration shall not be released.

• (c) The departments of corrections and public safety shall adopt rules, forms and procedures under chapter 25 of Title 3 to implement the provisions of this subchapter.




Current Vermont Requirements

Pursuant to Vermont statute the Vermont Sex Offender Registry was created in July of 1996. Since that time a database of information pertaining to Sex Offenders was developed and has been maintained. The database retains pertinent information regarding the offenders and their respective crimes. The sex offender registry requires notification of address change, thus allowing for the tracking of sex offenders. The database is the source of data for internet postings.




Who must register?

• Individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses prior to July 1, 1996 who were still under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, and any subsequent offenders are required to register with Vermont.

• Individuals with sex offense convictions from other states or jurisdictions who are:• living in Vermont;• attending post-secondary schools in Vermont;• working in Vermont.

T. 13 VSA sec. 5401 - 5407




Length of Registration

• Period of Supervision plus 10 years after discharge

• Lifetime registration required for convictions after Sept. 01, 2001 for: (Number of lifetime registrants = 1418 June 2012)

• Sexual Predators* • Sexual Recidivists*• Violent Sexual Offenders*

* T. 13 VSA sec. 5401




Which Offenders are posted to the internet?Not all sex offenders are posted on the internet Sex Offender Registry site.As of June 2012 more than 38% of the currently registered sex offenders wereposted on the internet. Reasons for internet posting include:

• Offenders who have been convicted of Aggravated Sexual Assault

• Offenders who have been convicted of Kidnapping & Sexual Assault of a Child

• Sexual Recidivists

• Offenders who have an active warrant for a Registry violation

• Offenders who have been designated as a Sexual Predator

• Offenders who are non-compliant with treatment requirements

• Offenders who have been designated by the Department of Corrections as “High Risk” to re-offend

• Out of State Sex Offenders whose crime of conviction is comparable to Vermont crimes which, by definition, are eligible for internet posting .




Sample SOR Internet information




SOR Procedures• Vermont residents will register with Department of

Corrections (DOC)

• Registrant is entered into the Vermont Registry and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

• Registrants from another state who move to Vermont, work in Vermont, or enroll in postsecondary schools contact the Registry for forms and report to a Vermont State Police Barracks for photo and prints.

• Registry notifies Law Enforcement when a registrant moves in or out of their jurisdiction




SOR Procedures (cont.)• Registrants must notify the Registry within three (3) days of any change of

address. These notifications apply to out of state changes as well as within Vermont.

• Registrants who have been designated as “High Risk” offenders must notify the Registry within thirty six (36) hours of any change of address, employment status or enrollment in a postsecondary educational institution. These notifications apply to out of state changes as well as within Vermont.

• Registrants must verify their physical and mailing addresses once a year within ten (10) days of their birth date. Registrants who have been designated as “Violent Predators” must validate their address information every 90 days.

• Registrants failing to comply are subject to arrest without a warrant.




Types of Sex Offender Registry notification

• The Vermont Sex Offender registry maintains an offender database which provides the basis for the following types of dissemination:

• Response to requests from the public• Requests can be made to local police departments and VCIC in

person, in writing and by telephone

• Active Community notification by law enforcement agencies




Dissemination of SOR information

• Response to requests from the public• If the registrant is not on internet

• Request must be of a specific person• Requester must articulate a concern regarding their safety or

the safety of another• Release must be in compliance with written protocols

• If the registrant is on the internet• Request must be of a specific person• Release must be in compliance with written protocols




Dissemination of SOR information (cont.)

• Active community notification by criminal justice agencies• If the registrant is not on the Internet

• Notification only in circumstances which constitute a compelling risk to public safety

• Only after consultation with the VCIC and DOC• Notification must be in compliance with written protocols

• If the registrant is on the Internet• At the discretion of criminal justice agencies• Notification must be in compliance with written protocols




What information can be released?(sex offender not posted on internet)

• Upon request of a member of the public about a specific offender for whom they can articulate a public safety concern, VCIC, the department of corrections (DOC), and any authorized law enforcement agency shall release the following registry information on sex offenders whose information is not required to be posted on the internet:

• the offender’s date of birth;• a general description of the offender;• the date and nature of the offender’s conviction;• whether the offender complied with treatment recommended by the

DOC• whether there is an outstanding warrant for the offender’s arrest.




What information can be released? (cont.)(sex offender posted on internet)

• Upon request of a member of the public about a specific person, VCIC, the department of corrections (DOC), and any authorized law enforcement agency shall release the following registry information on sex offenders whose information is required to be posted on the internet:

• the offender’s known aliases;• the offender’s date of birth;• a general description of the offender;• the offender’s town of residence;• the date and nature of the offender’s conviction;• if the offender is under the supervision of the DOC, the name and telephone number

of the local DOC office in charge of monitoring the offender;• whether the offender complied with treatment recommended by the DOC• whether there is an outstanding warrant for the offender’s arrest;• the reason for which the offender information is available.

• Law Enforcement may release address information if the requestor can articulate a safety concern.




Community Notificationfor “High Risk” Offenders

• When a sex offender is released from a correctional institution, VCIC notifies Law Enforcement in the jurisdiction where the individual will reside.

• It is Law Enforcement’s responsibility to take the steps they deem appropriate to advise the community and protect the public interest. This takes the form of some sort of community notification which can vary on a case-by-case basis.




Community Notification (cont.)SAMPLE package provided to Law Enforcement on

release of a HIGH RISK OFFENDERCover Letter Sample Press Release

Offender Information




Response to Community Notification

Few of us would question the need for sex offenders to be held accountable for their actions. Yet while holding them accountable, we must ensure that sex offender registration and community notification are not used as additional punishment. It is, and is meant to be, regulatory.

Fair, responsible, and non-inflammatory community notification is a reasonable consequence to the acts of the offender; furthermore, it allows citizens to take prudent and rational steps to protect themselves, their children, and their community.




Response to Community Notification (cont.)

It is natural to be angry or fearful when we hear about a sex offender living nearby. Citizens should not perform the role of law enforcement by attempting to investigate suspected criminal acts or by engaging in vigilantism. Vigilante acts such as assaults are illegal. If a citizen has a concern that criminal conduct has been committed or is going to be committed, the citizen should immediately notify law enforcement.

Law enforcement officers, based upon their training, are better able to properly and effectively investigate a sexual offender which in turn increases the probability that the sex offender will be convicted, punished and held accountable for his or her crime.




Summary• The development of Sex Offender laws and registration processes throughout the

country have been reactive responses to specific incidents.

• The Vermont Sex Offender Registry was legislatively mandated in 1996 and is managed at the Vermont Criminal Information Center.

• The Vermont Sex Offender Registry program is dedicated to maintaining up to date and accurate information on sex offenders in our communities.

• The Vermont Sex Offender Registry additionally provides law enforcement notification for “high risk” offenders and strives to improve community awareness through education and understanding.

• The community needs to understand the value and purpose of the sex offender registry as well as their role in ensuring that information obtained from the Registry is used responsibly.




Sex Crime Offenders Sex Crime Offenders



Sex Crime Offenders




Offender Overview

In order to better protect yourself, your children and the communityit is extremely important that you have at least a basicunderstanding of what you are protecting yourself against and howto recognize possible danger signs. This knowledge will helpminimize fear of things unknown.

The following slides will provide a very basic overview of some ofthe sexual offender profiles in our society.




Who are Sexual Offenders?• Sex Offenders are everywhere

• They look no different then anyone else

• They come in any age, size and gender

• Sex Offenders are present at every socio-economic level

• They often align themselves in positions that give them access to their victims




Where do sex offenders find their victims?

Parks and Playgrounds

Woods and Recreational areas

Churches and Meeting Halls

Schools

Private Residences and YOUR Home

Internet




Where do sex offenders find their victims? (cont.)

Bottom LineBottom Line – Anywhere there is opportunity! – Anywhere there is opportunity!




Sexual Offender Types

• Rapists• Predators

• Pediphiles• Stalkers• Internet

• Opportunists• Anger motivated

• Incest Offenders

• Molesters• Girl molesters• Boy molesters

• Non-Contact Offenders• Exhibitionists• Pornography




Offender Type (Vermont Probation & Parole, 2003)

Rapists = 16% Non-Contact Offenders = 12%Incest Offenders = 15% Molesters - Female Victims (<16) = 49%Molesters - Male Victims (<16)= 9%




Not All Sex Offenders Are The Same

Sex offenders cannot be stereotyped by appearance or

location. However, sex offenders generally have sex crime

preferences and each typology varies by:• Victim preferences • Behavior preferences (methods of operation)• Attitudes of offender towards deviant behavior• Motivation of offender• Risk to re-offend (some typologies have higher probability)• Management strategies needed

• Given the differences in sex offenders, treatment and screening strategies vary




Crossover Offending

Sex offenders tend to specialize, but….

• Some incest offenders also molest outside the home

• Some men who molest male children also molest female

children

• Some rapists also molest children




Patterns of Sexual Offending: Three Preconditions for sexual crime to occur

1 2 3

Motives Willingness Opportunity

• Sexual Interest

• Emotional Closeness

• Power and Control

• Anger/Grievance

• Cognitive Distortions

• Substance Abuse

• Pornography

• Stress

• Psychopathy

• Other

• Planned versus

Opportunistic

• Force versus

Manipulation




Rapist Typologies

• Power Reassurance: offender behaviors that suggest an underlying lack of confidence and inadequacy, or belief that the offense is consensual;

• Power Assertive: offender behaviors that suggest an underlying lack of confidence and

inadequacy, expressed through a need for control, mastery, and humiliation of the victim, while demonstrating authority;

• Anger Retaliatory:: offender behaviors that suggest a great deal of rage, either towards a specific person, group, institution or a symbol of either;

• Sadistic: offender behaviors that suggest that the offender gets sexual gratification from victim pain and suffering;

• Opportunistic: offender behaviors that suggest an offender who is out to satisfy immediate sexual impulses.

"Psychological Crime Scene Tape: The Investigative Use of Rapist Motivational Typologies,"Brent E. Turvey – 1999

From A. Nicholas Groth's studies, and the work of others, a rapist motivational typology has been developed that most often places offender behavior into one of five typologies:




Victim Grooming• Many sex offenders invest many hours, days and even years in the

cultivation or grooming of their victims. They work their way into the victims’ worlds usually by gaining the victims’ trust and respect with gifts and promises.

• They are often extremely adept at finding vulnerable environments and building on its weaknesses.

• Internet “chats” and the like provide an excellent environment for sexual predators to locate and cultivate victims.

• Homes without adequate supervision provide an opportunity for many child molesters.

• Environments with single mothers tend to be a target for sexual predators.

• Sex offenders will often seek employment in environments where they have access to potential victims of their preference.




Victim Grooming (cont.)“A Sexual Predator’s Statement”

As quoted from Robert Schilling’s “Community Notification: A Blueprint for Success”

Jim disclosed that he has been sexually assaulting children, males and females since he was 8 or 9 years old. His victim’s [sic] range in age from 2 to 10 years old. He groomed his victim’s [sic] by keeping candy, popsicles, and children’s toys in his apartment. He raised birds to attract children; took children to the park, beach and McDonald’s and used children he was baby-sitting to gain access to other victims. He groomed the parents by offering free baby-sitting; helping out by providing transportation and money “when they needed it”. He disclosed he gains access by targeting single parents with a large number of children who are not good housekeepers. In his words, “a mother who doesn’t give a damn.”

He played the part of Mary’s best friend by being around her as much as possible and telling her she could always come to him if she needed someone to talk to. He helped Mary do her homework and her household chores. He played games with Mary and took her to the park. Other places he took her were the malls, toy stores, clothing stores and swimming pools. He gave Mary money and bought her things, such as toys, board games, a bike, and expensive clothing. When he was baby-sitting Mary he would tell her she could do anything she wanted. He told Mary if she would let him do whatever he wanted to her he would buy her things. To keep her quiet he told Mary that if her mother found out about what “we” were doing, she would be mad and it would be all Mary’s fault.




Average Sexual Offender Re-Arrest Rates Harris & Hanson (2004)

10 sample groups; Total = 4,724 individuals

0102030405060708090

100

0 5 10 15 20

Years in Community

Percent

14%20% 24% 27%




Sexual Recidivism• Recidivism is defined as being arrested for the commission of a new

offense. In the case of sex offenders, the public is most concerned with sexual recidivism - the commission of a new sexual offense.

• Andrew Harris & R. Karl Hanson conducted an international study in 2004 and they reported statistics showing: • After 5 years in the community there is approximately a 14% rate of

re-arrest for sexual offenses.• The highest rate of sexual recidivism (77%) was for those with

previous sexual offenses, who selected boy victims outside the family and who were never married.

• In general, rapists re-offend more often than child molesters. • Among child molesters, those with male victims have been found to

have the highest recidivism rates, followed by those with unrelated female victims.

• Incest offenders show the lowest recidivism rates of all sexual offenders.




Risk Factors that Don’t Change “Static Risk Factors”

The probability of sexual recidivism can be assessed through various risk factors – some of which are static and often define the individual’s sex offense tendencies. These include:

• Prior sex offense charges or convictions• Prior non-sexual criminal offenses• Stranger victims• Prior non-contact sex offenses• Prior non-sexual violent offenses• Unrelated victims• Male victims• Offender was young at time of offense• Minimal co-habitation history




Dynamic risk factors can and often do change. Changes in these factors can often be predictors of a persons inclination toward recidivism. These include:

• Non-cooperation with supervision and treatment• Sexual preoccupation • Victim access • Relationship problems with partner• Collapse of social supports• Emotional collapse• Hostility• Substance abuse• Employment and residence instability

Risk Factors that Do Change

“Dynamic Risk Factors”




Summary

• Not all sex offenders are the same and community members must be aware of this and have an understanding of the types of sexual offenders in our society in order to best protect themselves and their families.

• Being cognizant of offender methodologies and ever vigilant for signs of deviant behavior are among the best defenses.

• Certain sex offenders appear to have higher rates of sexual recidivism; sexual recidivism rates are influenced by a number of static and dynamic factors.




Sex Crime PreventionSex Crime Prevention



Sex Crime Prevention




Sex Crime Prevention Overview

The best protection against sex crime is an informedpublic. Providing more information to the community toprotect itself and increasing awareness and understanding can be a significant step toward thereduction of sex crimes in Vermont.

The following slides give a brief insight into some of theissues and measures that communities can take topromote a safer living environment.




Effective Prevention Strategies Look Beyond the “Tip of the Iceberg”

Known

Unknown Sex Offenders

Sex Offender Registries, Media and Word of Mouth




Effective Prevention Strategies Look Beyond the “Tip of the Iceberg” (cont.)

• It is important to understand that the sex offender registries are simply tools to help enhance public awareness and they only provide information about specific known sex offenders.

• Doesn’t include those who were convicted prior to the law going into effect

• Doesn’t include those who have yet to be caught

• Doesn’t include those convicted and still incarcerated.




What Do Victims Tell Us?Kilpatrick et al. (2003). National Survey of Adolescents.

Victim reporting of sexual crime

0

20

40

60

80

100

Notreported

Reportedto Police

ChildProtectiveServices

Reportedto School

Otherreported

86% of Sexual abuse not reported to the authorities

*some cases reported to more than one authority




What Do Victims Tell Us? (cont.) Victims’ Greatest Concerns

Kilpatrick, Edmunds, Seymour (1992). Rape in America.

• Family knowing about the sexual assault 71%

• People thinking it was his/her fault 69%

• People outside the family knowing about assault 68%

• Name being made public by the news media 50%




What citizens can do to protect themselves and their children

• If you receive notification that a known sex offender is living in your community this is a good time to:

• reinforce family safety planning

• discuss specific concerns about this offender

• be observant, vigilant and aware of your surroundings

• get involved in your Neighborhood Crime Watch program

• work with local Law Enforcement




What citizens can do to protect themselves and their children (cont.)

• Talk about more than just “Stranger Danger”.

• Be aware that 90% of sex offenses against children are committed by someone known to the victim.

• Be aware that 66% of sex offenses against adults are committed by someone known to the victim.

• Keep open communications with kids• Indicate that you need to be informed of any inappropriate touching• Assure your children they will be believed

• Talk to your children about the dangers of internet predators• Restrict or monitor instant messaging and chat group participation





• Be vigilant for behavior changes in your children that may be indicative of some problem

• Are they abnormally moody, distraught or reclusive• Does their interest in school or outside activities change• Do they neglect or change their friends

• Be observant of other people that may display signs of deviant sexual preferences and behavior (including within your own home and neighborhood)

• Be aware of any inappropriate conversation• Be aware of any inappropriate touching or gestures• Is anyone spending unusually large amounts of time with your child• Is anyone befriending your child in any way – gifts, etc – beyond the norm





• Be alert for strangers or strange vehicles around your home, schools or playgrounds

• Remember that sex offenders can be anywhere but you can minimize crime by limiting offenders’ opportunities.




8 Safety Rules for Children1) I always check first with my parents or the person in charge before I go anywhere or

get into a car, even with someone I know.

2) I always check first with my parents or a trusted adult before I accept anything from anyone, even from someone I know.

3) I always take a friend with me when I go places or play outside.

4) I know my name, address, telephone number, and my parent's names.

5) I say no if someone tries to touch me or treat me in a way that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

6) I know that I can tell my parents or a trusted adult if I feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

7) It is OK to say no, and I know that there will always be someone who can help me.

8) I am strong, smart, and have the right to be safe.




Summary• Reduction of sex crimes can occur with an aware and informed

public.

• The fact that the majority of sexual offenses are not reported and that the majority of known offenses are committed by someone known to the offender are key concerns for the community.

• Don’t be afraid to talk to your children and ensure that they understand the need for open conversation and attention to safe practices to minimize their risk of victimization.




Education

Vcic presents an awareness guide for law enforcement