Guest Author - Sunniej Jackson

Headlines currently indicate the state of unrest we are all experiencing and display how scared we all are of the sexual offenders and predators we see lurking everywhere. Public awareness campaigns have pushed these cases and headlines to the forefront.

Headlines in the newspapers such as “Texas Developers Creating Sex-Offender-Free Neighborhood". This developer is proposing to screen all applicants via background checks. This is a safety measure for the individuals living inside these confines but we all know that you have to go outside of these parameters for your everyday needs including school, work, grocery store and an unlimited amount of other activities. Hiding ourselves from each other is this a solution to the problem? Is this where we are heading?

“Marion County To Distribute Directory Listing Sex Offenders" A directory of sexual offenders and sexual predators living in the county will be distributed in the area newspapers listing the names, addresses, photo, and conviction date. Additional resource information will be included explaining the sheriff's office policy for monitoring sexual offenders and predators. Is this what we have become?. We have to investigate our neighbors prior to moving in and our neighbors investigate us to see if we will be allowed to move in?

This headline appeared recently with a different twist “College Girl Missing Since '98 Found Working At Sam's Club" This article expressed that the young lady had an argument with her mother over grades and decided to leave college. The young lady had been working under her real name and social security number for quite awhile. This case highlights the need for cross information networks between all government agencies. Fortunately, the family now knows that she is ok and hopefully this will begin the healing process.

Sexual predators are only responsible for 1% of missing children, 14% are abduction by non-custodial parents and 85% of missing children are runaways. The age of runaway children has gotten younger. The statistics show that we have to become more informed and in tuned parents aware of our children’s friends, activities and mood changes. We must also teach our children safety techniques. We must take more responsibility and do everything in our power to prepare our children for the world we live in everyday.

I would love to hear about the measures being taken in your communities to protect our children and your thoughts on the effectiveness of these various programs.