The statistics go further: according to the Center for Sex Offender Management, 13 percent of child molesters and 19 percent of rapists commit another sexual offense within five years and another 10 percent of child molesters and 22 percent of rapists commit a nonsexual violent offense within five years.
This is a serious problem n but it’s not being taken seriously enough by our current attorney general.
But fixing the Sex Offender Registry is only the first step. I’ve devised a comprehensive plan that includes affordable and efficient measures that will help families protect their kids and send a clear, strong message to sex predators that they will not be tolerated in Montana.
First and foremost, Montana families need to be aware of who these individuals are, what they look like, and where they are living. Photos are truly a parent’s best tool in identifying and protecting their children. Another addition I’ll implement will be to require inclusion of all e-mail addresses and screen names used by offenders.
Secondly, parents should be able to perform an online search to pinpoint where offenders are living in their neighborhood and communities. I’ll add this simple, user-friendly search function to the registry; and I’ll also add a function that will allow parents to receive an e-mail alert whenever there is an addition or change to the registry for their area.
All this information is of little importance, however, if people can’t find it. The registry needs to be more widely accessible to the public with links to it on the home page of every state and local government Web site. Parents, teachers, and community leaders may not be aware of the current location of the list on the Department of Justice’s Web site n every city, county and state agency Web site should have a link visible on their home page.
To round out my play, I’ll partner with law enforcement, media, and Montana businesses to actively disseminate information about the Sexual Offender Registry. With these types of crimes, the best prevention is through information. We all need to work together to protect our kids.
Sexual offenders need to be at the top of the priority list for Montana’s Justice Department. I’ve identified some simple, yet effective, measures I will take if I’m elected Attorney General. Let me be clear n fighting sex predators is at the top of my priority list.
Tim Fox is practicing attorney in Helena and a Republican candidate for Montana attorney general.
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