By Deborah Jacobs There are few crimes more heinous than child molestation. Whether violently attacked by a stranger or preyed upon by a trusted adult in the home, school or place of worship, children who survive such assaults are often left to walk a lifelong path of sorrow and pain. Unfortunately, our government has failed to take steps that will make a meaningful difference in preventing sex offenses. Megan’s Law, civil commitment, and the newest trend in anti-sex offense legislation, banishment zones, which restrict people convicted of a sex offense…
Read MoreDay: July 9, 2021
High price for moral panic over historical sexual abuse
Have a look at these extraordinary figures. Two years into our National Redress Scheme (NRS) for victims of institutional sexual abuse, over $500 million has been paid to 5,920 of 10,000 applicants who have so far applied – a mere blip compared to the 60,000 victims assumed to be eligible. The total cost of the scheme is estimated at an astonishing $4.01 billion, according to the Royal Commission’s report on redress. Responsible institutions, like the churches, are paying out part of this money but the Commonwealth Government has already handed out $55 million…
Read MoreMN: Victoria neighborhood protests person listed on the registry at level 3
A group of frustrated, angry and concerned citizens is keeping a close watch on a person listed on the registry at level 3, recently released into their Victoria neighborhood. The group is hoping to have Vanhecke removed from that area. But state Department of Corrections officials believe he is not a public danger and is entitled to live at the residence in question. One DOC official believes the community group maintaining a constant vigil outside Vanhecke’s residence may be doing a disservice to him and the community. Regardless of the…
Read MoreColorado Court Upholds Severely Limited Use of Internet, Social Media for Registrant on Probation
A Colorado court of appeals issued a decision today upholding a condition of probation that severely limits a registrant’s use of both the internet and social media while he is on probation. The court acknowledged in its decision that the registrant’s offense did not include use of either the internet or social media. “This decision is outrageous and must be appealed,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “This court made a huge and erroneous leap in logic that a person who commits a hands-on offense with a family member, who…
Read MoreCA: Arrival of registered person in Oakley has neighborhood in an uproar
Source: ktvu.com 7/7/21 OAKLEY, Calif. – The arrival of a registered person has an Oakley neighborhood in an uproar. Residents say they are afraid for their children and feel like prisoners in their homes. “For 30 nights I have not slept until 4 a.m. because I am awake thinking about what we can do,” said Jennifer Curran who lives with her husband, son, and daughter on Fetzer Court. Across the street is a rental newly occupied by Jeffrey ____, 52, “There are 19 children who play on this block, not…
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