|
Federal action is necessary to solve the increasingly dangerous and widespread problem of violence against children. As we can plainly see on our television screens, such crimes are not confined to any one particular city or part of the country. News reports about abductions across the country prove that it is time for common sense reforms to protect our nation's children. Recently, the House passed the Children’s Safety Act of 2005, a comprehensive plan to increase the safety and security of children in their homes, at their schools and in their neighborhoods.
The Children’s Safety Act’s provisions are aimed at preventing crimes against children through a coordinated law enforcement approach that includes a broadening of the definition of such crimes, increased reporting requirements for known offenders and increases in penalties for those convicted of sexual and violent crimes against minors. This legislation will improve the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Program by ensuring that sex offenders register, and keep current, where they reside, work and attend school. The Child Safety Act will improve verification systems for sex offender information by requiring monthly verification, sex offender in-person verification every six months and regular notarized verification mailings.
In conjunction with pre-existing laws, these new statutes will give residents and local police as much information as possible about offenders who move into their communities, and will augment law enforcement’s ability to find missing children before any harm can come to them.
Other measures designed to protect America’s youth have met with great success, and the Children’s Safety Act will add to their number and efficacy. The Amber Alert program has saved numerous children from abduction, and in 2004 issued 147 Alerts. Meagan’s Law and other sex-offender registries have greatly increased the knowledge residents have about the potential for danger in their communities. Operations to entrap child pornographers via the internet have met with great success, and incarcerated those who would exploit innocent children.
Another important tool to improve children's safety is the National Sex Offender Registry, which Oklahoma recently joined along with 31 other states. This registry provides information on thousands of sex offenders in 32 states, the District of Columbia and Guam. The remaining states are expected to join this registry by 2006. The registry can search results by name, state, county, city or town or ZIP code.
America’s parents deserve to have confidence in law enforcement’s ability to ensure that their children are being raised in the safest possible environment. Sending your children to play in the local park or ride their bike to a friend’s house should not give parents pause. With passage of the Children’s Safety Act we all can have greater peace of mind, knowing that our children are better protected wherever they are.
### |
