SEX OFFENDERS AND VICTIMIZATION IN OUR COMMUNITY Awareness, Support and Prevention San Diego County Sex Offender Management Council

Why are we here? Why are we here?  Acknowledge your fears and concerns;  Clarify Myths vs. Facts;  Understand how San Diego County is addressing sex offenders in our community;

 Learn tips for community safety;  Understand the pros and cons of community registration and notification;  Learn about resources for you and your family;  Learn what you can do!

San Diego County Statistics

Child Victims…  90% of Child Victims are sexually assaulted by someone known to the child or the child's family. Relatives Friends Babysitters Person(s) in a position of authority over a child, or person(s) who supervise children pose the greatest threat of sexual abuse. o 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted in their childhood.

Adult Victims… o1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men are sexually assaulted in their lifetime o80% of assaults are committed by a known assailant least reportedviolent crime oSexual assault is the least reported violent crime oLess than 10% report the crime

Registration and Notification REGISTRATION A LIFETIME legal requirement for offenders to notify the local police agency of their residence and employment. NOTIFICATION A process permitted by law in which police and sheriffs notify the public of certain sex offenders in their community.

Sex Offender Registration Sex Offender Registration  Registration is a “lifetime” responsibility for the offender!  Failure to register or update information can result in additional criminal charges.

Pros and Cons of Registration and Notification Pros and Cons of Registration and Notification Pros  Awareness  Prevention  Education  Increased supervision of offenders Cons  False sense of security

The Containment Approach: Focused on Victim and Community Safety Through the Control of the Offender Supervision: Probation/Parole Agents: Monitor and limits activities Monitoring: Law Enforcement, Polygraph, and Offender’s family, and the Community Preventing the Sex Offender from committing future sexual assaults Specialized Sex Offender Treatment: Teaches self-control and accountability Victim Advocacy: Supports victim (s) and provides community education

Why do we need to talk about sex offenders our community?  Offenders live in all our neighborhoods  Some can be safely managed

Harassment is Against the Law!  What happens if you take things into your own hands? Increase the risk of perpetrator re-offending You can/will be prosecuted for your actions  Report concerns to local police department

Remember… Remember…  Harassment of offenders can DECREASE community safety- Offender may stop registering and law enforcement will lose track of him Offender may feel out of control and act out--harming someone again An offender in treatment may stop going

To Increase Community Safety You Can…  Talk about it  Educate yourself and others  Know the facts  Take action   

Tips for Parents Tips for Parents  Talk with your children  Know where your child is, and the people they spend time with.  Screen baby-sitters, coaches and other care-givers  Be sensitive to changes in your child’s behavior.  Spend time with your kids!  Internet Safety

Keeping Yourself Safe Keeping Yourself Safe  Trust your instincts—if a situation or person makes you uncomfortable, even if you know the individual, get away; even at the risk of being rude.  Be wary of friends or dates who “test” your boundaries with unwanted physical advances.

Test Review

Facts about Sex Offending Behavior Facts about Sex Offending Behavior 1. Most offenders are strangers to the victim. False Most offenders know their victims. Under the guise of a trust relationship, the offender uses deception and manipulation as a mode of assault.

Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) 2. San Diego County has an organized group working on the effective management of sexual offenders in our communities? True San Diego County has a committed group of professionals from Supervision, Monitoring, Treatment & Victim Advocacy working together on this issue.

Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) 3. Most sex offenders have formal supervision in San Diego. False Most sex offenders have no formal supervision. That is why we need other safety strategies.

Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) 4. Child sexual abusers are only attracted to children sexually. False Most offenders are also attracted to people their age.

5. Children rarely make up stories of abuse. True Often children recant due to the reactions of loved ones, guilt, shame and fear felt after the disclosure. Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued)

6. Offenders could stop perpetrating sexual victimization on their own if they wanted to. False Offenders need help to control their victimizing behaviors. Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued)

7. It is common for child and adult victims to wait some time before telling of their abuse. True Children & adults often wait months if not years to tell. The majority of sexual assaults are never disclosed to anyone. Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued)

8. is a website you can visit to check on registered sex offenders in your area. True Visit to be informed. Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued)

9. Harassment of sex offenders is legal as long as the offender has been convicted of a sex crime. False Harassment is against the law and you could be prosecuted for it. Also, it increases the risk of the offender victimizing another person.

Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) 10. One way to increase your safety is to educate yourself about sex offending behaviors. True Education and information is key to community, family and personal safety.

Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) 11. Children are NOT at risk of sexual predators while on the internet in the safety of their own home. False The internet is a “playground” for predators and children & teens are very much at risk even in their own homes.

Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) 12. Trusting your instincts is one way of keeping yourself safe. True Pay attention to what your body is telling you. “Trust your gut”!

Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) 13. Most child sexual abusers find victims in schoolyards or playgrounds. False Most offenders assault children with whom they have a relationship.

14. Registration & Notification can provide a false sense of safety for you and your family. True Registration and notification is limited to a small number of sexual offenders in our communities. Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued)

Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) Facts About Sex Offending Behavior (continued) 15. If a victim does not fight back it was not truly forced. False There are a variety of reasons victims may not fight back or say ‘no.’ A victim does what she/he needs to do to survive a sexual assault.

Discussion Questions/Answers

PRESENTERS PRESENTERS  For further information, please contact Denise Roth at (619) or