prop83.orgprop83.orgFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2006
CONTACT; Louise Waldon, 928-0953 California@sohopeful.org
CA State Rep, SOhopeful International
Opposition Statement for Jessica’s Law (Proposition 83)
SOhopeful International Opposes Jessica’s Law (Proposition 83)
SOhopeful International is working with families, citizens and professionals to change the way legislation mandates the registration, tracking and community notification of non-violent, low risk sex offenders. We are making this effort in order to strengthen the Sex Offender Registry (SOR) and make it more effective, to help it to accomplish what it was originally intended to do.
Jessica’s Law will not keep children safer because it fails to reach the majority of children who become victims. Statistics show that 95% sexual abuse occurs at the hands of a family member or someone the victim knows. Jessica’s Law overlooks these children completely even though they are at greater risk.
Jessica’s Law will spend 500 million dollars to track all sex offenders including those who were convicted of minor, non violent, and decades old offenses. Precious resources should be directed to those who represent "stranger danger" - the 5% who are sexually violent predators. Resources should also be used on preventive measures such as teaching what signals to look for from those in the child’s zone of association, teaching teens just how easy it is to become a registered sex offender (i.e., the legalities of choosing to be sexually active and the consequences), and treatment for those who have offended in order to prevent recidivism The single most effective prevention measure is free: it is parental supervision and open communication. A FREE prevention plan can be obtained through Be A Child's Hero Network (online at: http://beachildshero.com/preventingabuse.htm)
Jessica’s Law will prohibit sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school, park, day care center. Local city governments may add additional restrictions as well. Research proves that where the offender lives is not related to sexual assaults. Furthermore, this restriction will not prevent the truly violent predator from driving or walking into the restricted zone. Iowa implemented this restriction and discovered that residency restrictions do not reduce sex crimes. Residency restrictions fail to protect the majority of children because their sexual assault occurred by someone known by the victim.
More
Residency restrictions in Iowa led to registrants disappearing. Furthermore, these restrictions hurt the innocent families, often including the victim, of the registrants.
The Iowa Prosecutor's Association has requested a repeal of this harmful and wasteful law. Read their statement here
A Washington study found that recidivism is higher among those who fail to register.
California should learn from Iowa and Washington! - Jessica’s Law will not reach most CA children who are at risk. Our children deserve better!
California cannot afford the 500 million dollars it will cost to implement Jessica’s Law. More importantly, we cannot afford to drain our resources in ways that fail to protect children.
Vote no on Jessica’s Law (Proposition 83)
-Louise Waldon
California State Representative for SOhopeful International, Inc.
prop83.org