FACSA Foundation (Family and Friends Fighting Against Child Sexual Assault)
We had better learn to doubt our inflated fears before they destroy us. Valid fears have their place; they cue us to danger. False and [overdrawn] fears only cause hardship.
-Barry Glassner
- 1 in 3 girls are sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday
- 1 in 6 boys are sexually assaulted before their eighteenth birthday
- 45% of sexual assault victims are under the age of 12
- Only 10% ever report the crime, due to fear, shame retaliation from family, and/or perpetrators, children are threatened to keep it secret, etc.
- 90% never report, which leaves the perpetrator in our schools, homes, businesses, churches, organizations, and in our communities. (The next time you are in a crowd think of these sobering facts.)
- Child sexual assault victims who knew their perpetrator; 34.2 percent were family members; and 58.7 percent were acquaintances. Only eleven percent of child victims reported that strangers abused them.
So, who is your neighbor? Are they someone you love and admire, someone you loathe and hate, someone you are indifferent to, or do you have no idea?
With summer approaching, children will be busy playing in the neighborhoods, raising funds in the community, and home more often. Make sure your children are safe, have a buddy system; and if they are going to solicit funds from neighbors, to do so with a buddy or a trusted adult. Education and awareness of sex offenders in our communities is to help keep our children and communities safer; it is not to increase fear. Sex offenders have always lived in our communities, worked around our children, went to our churches, you have eaten dinner at a restaurant with sex offenders, and have probably worked at the same job location as sex offenders. What is more alarming, are the sexual predators that remain undetected in our homes, neighborhoods, and have daily access to our children. It is sad that child sexual assault has become a multi-generational epidemic because of family secrecy, social status, socio-economic stability, believing the perpetrator over the child because you don’t want to lose the love of your life, or just plain indifference to what is going on around you in your home, in your neighborhood, or in your community.
In the Springhill, Louisiana area, we have 10 registered sex offenders. Sex offenders, by law, are to live 1000 feet from schools, daycares, bus stops, parks, or any other place with children’s events. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 14:91.1 (2006). As originally enacted, the statute prohibited sexually violent predators from living within 1,000 feet of schools, 2004 La. Acts 178. In 2004, the Louisiana legislature amended the statute by adding day care centers, playgrounds, public and private youth centers, swimming pools and free standing video arcades to the list of places sex offenders were barred from living near.
My research concluded, out of the ten sex offenders registered in Springhill, La., there was one in question, that lived within the 1000 feet near schools, daycares, parks, arcades, swimming pools or public and private youth centers; as of my knowledge.
????? Some sex offenders lived just beyond the 1000 feet barrier, while others lived blocks away in heavily populated neighborhoods with children. Unless the courts order differnetly, sex offenders can live where they choose. Many people feel sex offenders need to locate to areas that have less children populated areas, not more densely populated areas. Informing the public by providing relevant and necessary information to the community can develop constructive plans to prepare themselves and their children for their continued healthy emotional, physical, and psychological development. Our local sheriff’s department, and Gary Sexton, is handling this person’s case on an unrelated matter.
.
Sex Offenders are classified as Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3.
Risk Level 1 Notification
A risk level 1 notification is information of registered sex/kidnapping offenders that is shared with other law enforcement agencies. Upon request, relevant, necessary and accurate information may be released to any victims or witnesses to the offense and to any individual community member who lives near the residence where the offender resides, expects to reside, or is regularly found. Level 1 offender may not be the subject of public notification (with the exception of homeless or transient level 1 sex/kidnap offenders).Risk Level 2 Notification
A risk level 2 notification is information of registered sex/kidnapping offenders that may be released to public and private schools, child day care centers, family day care providers, businesses and organizations that serve primarily children, women, or vulnerable adults, and neighbors in community groups near the offender's residence, or where the offender expects to reside, or is regularly found. Registration information on Level 2 offenders may be generally released to the public (such as offenders who have failed to register or are transient or homeless).
Risk Level 3 Notification
A risk level 3 notification is information of registered sex/kidnapping offenders that may be generally released such as with Level 2 offenders and in addition includes news media releases. Any person may review level 2 or level 3 community notices at the Sheriff's Office Records Division. The Sex & Kidnapping Offender Community Notification book only contains notices prepared and distributed by the Sheriff's Office.
Webster Parish Sex Offender Listings:
http://www.communitynotification.com/cap_main.php?office=54423
The murder of Poly Klaas, in 1993, highlighted child sexual assault abductions and murders, as Poly’s case gained national media attention and an overwhelming public outcry. Marc Klaas has been instrumental in federal and state legislative efforts to promote prevention programs for at-risk youth, stronger sentencing for violent criminals and governmental accountability and responsibility. Often times this advocacy takes the form of legislative testimony; helping to enact Sex Offender Registries Residential restrictions. Marc Klaas is now the volunteer president of the KlaasKids Foundation and president of Beyond Missing, Inc. Mr. Klaas sits on the advisory boards of the Center for the Community Interest; Fight Crime Invest in Kids and the National Children's Advocacy Center.
In 2005, the highly publicized murders of Carlie Brucia, 11, and Jessica Lunsford, 12, played a significant role in new sex offender residency restrictions proposed and enacted in 2005 and 2006. Joseph Brucia helped enact Carlie’s Law for tougher parole rules for sex offenders. Carlie’s attacker was out on probation 13 months prior to her brutal assault and murder.
After the murder of Jessica Lunsford the Jessica Lunsford Act; creates Jessica Lunsford Act; revises sexual predator criteria; requires twice yearly reregistration by sexual predators; provides criminal offenses for failing to reregister, failing to respond to address verification, failing to report or providing false information about sexual predator, & harboring or concealing sexual predator; requires electronic monitoring for certain offenders placed on conditional release supervision, etc. Amends FS.
Research has shown that stranger abductions are about 11% of the cases, compared to family abduction during a custody or a divorce battle, runaways, lost, injured or otherwise missing children, and nonfamily abductions (in these cases, the child is at greatest risk of injury or death).
The first three hours are critical for the police to find your missing child; and why it is imperative to keep a current picture I.D., with birthdate, parents name, address, and phone number. You can purchase Kid’s Safe I.D. Kit’s from the FACSA Foundation, facsasavethechildren.com, facsasavethechildren@hotmail.com, or (318) 539-2571.
The best national estimates for the number of missing children are found in the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART-2), released in October 2002. According to NISMART-2, an estimated
- 800,000 children younger than 18 are missing each year, or an average of 2,000 children reported missing each day.
- 200,000 children were abducted by family members.
- 58,000 children were abducted by nonfamily members, and
- 115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. These crimes involve someone the child does not know, or knows only slightly, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.
If most child sexual assault predators are not reported, and are someone the victim knows, where do they come from and how can you recognize them?
Most sexual predators are family members, a live in boyfriend, a neighbor, a trusted coach, pastor, leader of the community, or anyone that you would not suspect. They often gain the families trust; may shower the family and the child with gifts; offer the child drugs and alcohol to seduce and threaten the child into silence; may take the child on trips or “special places’; will tell the child that no one understands them or cares for them like the perpetrator, turning the child away from the family, or anyone that would advise against their manipulative tactics; thus leaving the child open to continued exploitation, abuse, secrecy, and trauma. The perpetrator will take as long as they need, grooming the child and family for years even. Child sexual assault predators are usually someone who does not want to draw attention to their addictions, are sociopathic liars, very manipulative, charming, will go to extreme lengths to keep their secrets. They usually abuse many children, and often groom several at the same time. A child sexual predator is not the guy standing on the street corner; and looks like anyone else in your community; in your church; in your business; in your organization; in your school; in your neighborhood; and in your family; because they usually are.
š In child sexual assault case victims who knew their perpetrator; 34.2 percent were family members; and 58.7 percent were acquaintances. Only seven percent of child victims reported that strangers abused them.
š With that said, human trafficking has become a 32 billion dollar profit industry, making it the world’s largest illegal market. There Are 600,000-800,000 Humans Trafficked Internationally; 70% Humans Trafficked Are Female; 80% Humans Trafficked Are Children; 1.2 Million Children. Humans trafficked are forced into:
š The Sex Trade
š Domestic Servitude
š Carpet Factories
š Cotton Trade
š Kiln Trade
š Massage Parlors
š Brothels
š Chocolate Trade
š Garment Factories
š Organ Trade
š In Mali, The Price Of A Child Is $30.00
š And Can Be Bargained Down To A $1.20
š Each Year 20,000 Ethiopia Children Are Sold For $1.20 Each
š 1.2 Million People, Men, Women, Boys, and Girls Each YearContact:
Antislavery.org
Jfci.org
Worldvision.org
Notforsalecampaign.com
C Contact:
Antislavery.org
Jfci.org
Worldvision.org
Notforsalecampaign.com
I.C.E www.ice.gov/tips or call (866) 347-2423 (U.S., Mexico and Canada) or (802) 872-6199 (other countries
š FBI — Human Trafficking Report Human Trafficking/Get Help - Call 1-888-428-7581
Many times parents, grandparents, school officials, family, and friends are confronted
with a situation, such as child sexual assault and are not sure how to handle it. Child Sexual assault happens to children from ages 0-18. It is most often family members or acquaintances, someone the child knows. Sexual abuse can include, fondling, touching, kissing, inappropriate gestures, pornography with the child, to sexual assault. While it is defined by judges, lawyers, city and school officials differently, the effects of child sexual assault remain the same, devastating to the child, with lifelong consequences. If you suspect your child is being abused or sexually assaulted, we are listing a few helpful hints and guidelines to guide you.
Children will explore their bodies and this is normal. It is not normal when their behavior
is not in context to how they typically behave.
If they become more aggressive
become unable to focus(and have other sexual assault signs) burst into tears for no reason
are inappropriately touching their dolls or animals
begin to hurt animals
may become, shy, withdrawn, or have mood swings
depressed
began using drugs
become promiscuous
start bed wetting
fearful of a certain adult, places, or things
nightmares
unexplained bruises or rashes around mouth or genital areas
If you suspect a child has been sexually assaulted you need to contact authorities. You have to consider the best interest of the child, not the perpetrators social standing, parental basis, or dismissing it because it isn't happening to you. If they can hurt this child, they can hurt your children, grandchildren, or the children of the people you love.
Make the call to your local Child Protective Services and/or police department at 911 or
Child Abuse Hotline is 1-800-25ABUSE
Webster Parish Child Protective services (318)371-3004
Springhill, La. Police Dept. (318)539-2511
Benton, La. Police Dept. (318)965-0579
Bossier City Police Dept.(318)741-8611
Minden Police Dept (318)377-1212
Shreveport Police Dept.(318)873-2583
Always remember, it is not the child's fault. Even if a teen is promiscuous, adults must be responsible adults and dismiss themselves from the situation.
I am very proud of Governor Jindal’s tough stance on child protection legislation he has enacted, on behalf children and families, in the State of Louisiana.
“Child sexual assault does not discriminate for pain knows no color, race, religion, gender, or age.” Connie Lee
Connie Lee/FACSA Foundation/Founder/President
(318) 539-2571
Facsasavethechildren.com
http://facsafoundationvirtualexpo.ning.com/
facsasavethechildren@hotmail.com
Child Abuse:
Childhelp's National Child Abuse Hotline
800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)
Child Care
Child Care Aware
1-800-424-2246
Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233)
TDD 1-800-787-3224
Missing and Exploited Children
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
Polaris Project
Polaris Project
P.O. Box 53315
Washington, D.C. 20009
Tel: 202-745-1001 or 1-888-373-7888
Fax: 202-745-1119
Project Jason
P.O Box 3035
Omaha, NE 68103
Phone: 402-932-0095
E-mail: information@projectjason.org
Runaway Youth
National Runaway Switchboard
1-800-621-4000
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
1-888-3737-888
RAINN offers an online hotline. Anyone can access help over the internet.
http://apps.rainn.org/ohl-bridge/
FACSA Foundation (Family and Friends Fighting Against Child Sexual Assault)
(318) 539-2571
facsasavethechildren@hotmail.com
facsasavethechildren.com
FBI.gov http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/registry/registry
Jessie’s Law http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica's_Law http://archive.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?m&BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&Year=2005&billnum=1877
Klaas Foundation http://www.klaaskids.org/pg-ourstory.htm
Lundsford Foundation http://www.jmlfoundation.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica's_Law
National Missing and Exploited Children’s Foundation http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2816
Sex Offender Residency Statutes and the Culture of Fear: The Case for More
Meaningful Rational Basis Review of Fear-Driven Public Safety Laws
David A. Singletonhttp://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1099&context=ustlj
Sex Offender Registration Resources in Louisiana http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Louisiana-Sex-Offender-Registration-3.htm
To Speak the Truth
Research-based law--the use of science to inform the practice of Wisconsin law
http://bauersteven.blogspot.com/2010/11/sex-offender-recidivism-base-rates.html
Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registry /Watch http://www.icrimewatch.net/results.
http://www.webstersheriff.us/offender_watch.html
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Tier Registry Classification
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/sheriff/sexoffenders/classifications.jsp
