About Sex Offender Registry and protecting yourself and your family

An informed public is a safer one, and information will help you make better choices. What does it mean to live, work, or attend a school near a sex offender’s residence? What are the real threats to you or your children’s safety? What should you do if you suspect abuse is occurring or has occurred? All of these questions may come to mind as you view the results of your queries to this Website. The information contained on this portion of NSOPW will assist you in learning the facts about sexual abuse and help you protect yourself and loved ones from potential victimization. Below, you will find information organized into three groups:  children, teens, and adults. Each section is prefaced by facts, which are followed by prevention and education materials and additional links to resources designed to assist parents and caregivers.

Protect Children

Facts:

• Over 56,000 cases of child sexual abuse were reported and substantiated in 2007. 1
• As many as one in three girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused at some point in their childhood. 2
• In as many as 93% of child sexual abuse cases, the child knows the person that commits the abuse. 3
• Most perpetrators are acquaintances, but as many as 47% are family or extended family. 4
• Approximately 30% of cases are reported to authorities. 5

What is child sexual abuse? Child sexual abuse is any form of sexual activity imposed upon a child by an adult or other child in a position of power, authority, or influence. Child sexual abuse can involve touching the intimate parts of a child’s body, enticing or forcing the child to have sexual relations, or participating in nontouching offenses, such as obscene phone calls or taking pornographic photos.

The child victim may be a boy or girl; in most cases knows and trusts the abuser; may be an infant, toddler, preschooler, or school-aged child up to age 18; may come from any socioeconomic background, ethnic, or religious group; is usually afraid to tell about the sexual abuse for fear of being blamed or punished; and rarely is abused by a stranger.

Who sexually abuses children? The people who sexually abuse can be immediate or extended family members (fathers, mothers, stepparents, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.). They can be neighbors, babysitters, religious leaders, teachers, coaches, or anyone else who has close contact with children.

Warning signs that might suggest someone is sexually abusing a child: 6 The following behaviors could be cause for concern:

• Making others uncomfortable by ignoring social, emotional, or physical boundaries or limits.
• Refusing to let a child set any of his or her own limits. Using teasing or belittling language to keep a child from setting a limit.
• Insisting on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with, or holding a child even when the child does not want this physical contact or attention.
• Turning to a child for emotional or physical comfort by sharing personal or private information or activities that are normally shared with adults.
• Frequently pointing out sexual images or telling inappropriate or suggestive jokes with children present.
• Exposing a child to adult sexual interactions without apparent concern.
• Having secret interactions with teens or children (e.g., games; sharing drugs, alcohol, or sexual material) or spending excessive time e-mailing, text-messaging, or calling children or youth.
• Being overly interested in the sexuality of a particular child or teen (e.g., talks repeatedly about the child's developing body or interferes with normal teen dating).
• Insisting on or managing to spend unusual amounts of uninterrupted time alone with a child.
• Seeming “too good to be true” (e.g., frequently babysits different children for free, takes children on special outings alone, buys children gifts or gives them money for no apparent reason).
• Frequently walking in on children/teens in the bathroom.
• Allowing children or teens to consistently get away with inappropriate behaviors.

If you observe these behaviors in someone you know, talk to that person. For more information and guidance about starting a conversation with someone, visit the Stop It Now! online help center or call the national, toll-free Helpline at (888) PREVENT.

Warning signs in children of possible sexual abuse: Stop It Now! has developed a tip sheet to help identify possible warning signs. Any one sign does not mean that a child was sexually abused, but the presence of several suggests that you begin asking questions and consider seeking help.

Behavior you may see in a child:

• Has nightmares or other sleep problems without an explanation
• Seems distracted or distant at odd times
• Has a sudden change in eating habits
• Refuses to eat
• Loses or drastically increases appetite
• Has trouble swallowing.
• Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity, or withdrawal
• Leaves “clues” that seem likely to provoke a discussion about sexual issues
• Writes, draws, plays, or dreams of sexual or frightening images
• Develops new or unusual fear of certain people or places
• Refuses to talk about a secret shared with an adult or older child
• Talks about a new older friend
• Suddenly has money, toys, or other gifts without reason
• Thinks of self or body as repulsive, dirty, or bad
• Exhibits adult-like sexual behaviors, language, and knowledge

If you have questions or would like resources or guidance for responding to a specific situation, visit the Stop It Now! online help center or call the national, toll-free Helpline at (888) PREVENT.

Materials:

• The Joyful Child Foundation Be Safe, Be Brave: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention ( PDF | html). Most parents find themselves horrified by the prospect that someone they trust could violate their children, and it is our natural inclination to believe that it could not have already happened and gone unnoticed. This realization is often followed by disbelief, fear, and even hopelessness. This handbook is designed to aid you in protecting your children against sexual abuse and abduction.
  
  
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Child Safety Resources: Parents, guardians, and adults who care for children face constant challenges when trying to help keep children safer in today’s fast-paced world. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) offers easy-to-use safety resources to help address these challenges. For decades, children were taught to stay away from “strangers.” But this concept is difficult for children to grasp, and often the perpetrator is someone the child knows. It is more beneficial to help build children’s confidence and teach them to respond to a potentially dangerous situation, rather than teaching them to look out for a particular type of person. NCMEC’s prevention and safety education programs and materials contain information and tips that will help you keep your children safer. The Just In Case… and Know the Rules publication series are especially important for parents and guardians.
  
  
• Parents & Caregivers:  Do Your Part to Protect Kids. Don’t wait until you see a problem before you start taking action to protect kids. Learn some simple things you can do every day to make sure kids are safe, and then teach others. Make sure every adult who cares about kids has the information they need to be confident about making a commitment to safety. You can begin prevention today.
  
  • Learn to Recognize Warning Signs
  • Learn Everyday Actions to Keep Kids Safe
  • What Parents Need to Know When Selecting a Program for a Child
  • Create a Family Safety Plan (PDF)
    
    
• NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational safety resource from NCMEC and Boys & Girls Clubs of America for children aged 5 to 17, parents, guardians, educators, and law enforcement that uses age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children how to stay safer on the Internet and in the real world.

Additional Resources:

• CyberTipline: NCMEC operates the CyberTipline as a means of reporting incidents of child sexual exploitation, including the possession, manufacture, and/or distribution of child pornography; online enticement; child prostitution; child sex tourism; extrafamilial child sexual molestation; unsolicited obscene material sent to a child; and misleading domain names, words, or digital images. The CyberTipline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Make a report at www.CyberTipline.com or by calling (800)THE-LOST if you have information that will help in our fight against child sexual exploitation.
  
  
• Darkness to Light programs raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.
  
  
• The Safer Society Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit agency, is a national research, advocacy, and referral center on the prevention and treatment of sexual abuse.
  
  
• Stop the Silence aims to increase awareness about and conduct programming to address the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse and the relationships between this issue and broader societal violence.
  
  
• radKIDS® is a national leader in children's safety education and provides a holistic, practical, and realistic life skills safety program available for children and parents.
  
  
• NAPSAC, the National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children is dedicated to ending childhood sexual abuse in three generations through awareness, education, and the advocacy of children's rights.

References for Facts above:

1. Child Maltreatment. Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2007. Available online: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm07/cm07.pdf.
2. Briere, J., Eliot, D. M. "Prevalence and Psychological Sequence of Self-Reported Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse in General Population: Child Abuse and Neglect," 2003, 27:10.
3. Douglas, Emily, and Finkelhor, D., Childhood sexual abuse fact sheet, http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/factsheet/pdf/childhoodSexual AbuseFactSheet.pdf, Crimes Against Children Research Center, May 2005.
4. Briere, J., Eliot, D. M. "Prevalence and Psychological Sequence of Self-Reported Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse in General Population: Child Abuse and Neglect," 2003, 27:10.
5. Finkelhor, D. "The Prevention of Childhood Sexual Abuse." Future of Children, 2009; 19(2):169–94.
6. Stop It Now!, available online:   http://www.stopitnow.org/behaviors_watch_adult_with_children.

Protect Your Teenagers

Facts:

• Approximately, 1.8 million adolescents in the United States have been the victims of sexual assault. 7
• 33% of sexual assaults occur when the victim is between the ages of 12 and 17. 8
• 82% of all juvenile victims are female. 9
• Teens 16 to 19 years of age were 3 1/2 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault. 10
• 69% of the teen sexual assaults reported to law enforcement occurred in the residence of the victim, the offender, or the residence of another individual. 11
• Approximately 1 in 5 female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. 12
• Approximately 1 in 7 (13%) youth Internet users received unwanted sexual solicitations. 13
• 4% of youth Internet users received aggressive solicitations, in which solicitors made or attempted to make offline contact with youth. 14
• 9% of youth Internet users had been exposed to distressing sexual material while online. 15

Warning Signs in Children and Adolescents of Possible Sexual Abuse: Stop It Now! has developed a tip sheet (PDF) to help identify possible warning signs. Any one sign does not mean that a child was sexually abused, but the presence of several suggests that you begin asking questions and consider seeking help.

Behavior you may see in a child or adolescent:

• Has nightmares or other sleep problems without an explanation
• Seems distracted or distant at odd times
• Has a sudden change in eating habits
• Refuses to eat
• Loses or drastically increases appetite
• Has trouble swallowing.
• Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity, or withdrawal
• Leaves “clues” that seem likely to provoke a discussion about sexual issues
• Writes, draws, plays, or dreams of sexual or frightening images
• Develops new or unusual fear of certain people or places
• Refuses to talk about a secret shared with an adult or older child
• Talks about a new older friend
• Suddenly has money, toys, or other gifts without reason
• Thinks of self or body as repulsive, dirty, or bad
• Exhibits adult-like sexual behaviors, language, and knowledge

Behavior more typically found in adolescents:

• Self-injury (cutting, burning)
• Inadequate personal hygiene
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Sexual promiscuity
• Running away from home
• Depression, anxiety
• Suicide attempts
• Fear of intimacy or closeness
• Compulsive eating or dieting

If you have questions or would like resources or guidance for responding to a specific situation, visit the Stop It Now! online help center or call the national, toll-free Helpline at (888) PREVENT.

Materials:

• The NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational safety resource from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America for children aged 5 to 17, parents, guardians, educators, and law enforcement that uses age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children how to stay safer on the Internet.
  
  
• NetSmartz Teens: Today’s teens have a knowledge of the Internet that often surpasses that of their parents. Because so many teens are Internet-savvy, it is imperative that they also have an understanding of the dangers that exist online and how to deal with them. Watch teens share their own “Real-Life Stories” about issues affecting them on the Internet, such as cyberbullying, online enticement, and giving out too much personal information.
  
  
• NCMEC’s Prevention and Safety Education programs and materials contain information and tips that will help you keep children and teens safer.
  
  
• Teen Victims Project: Teen Tools Sexual Assault Fact Sheet (PDF):  The National Center for Victims of Crime have developed a series of Teen Tools fact sheets, written for teens, about how to recognize a crime, what emotions to expect, and how to receive or give help.
  
  
• Understanding Teen Dating Violence Fact Sheet (PDF):  The Centers for Disease Control’s National Prevention Center for Injury Prevention and Control developed a fact and resource sheet to help families understand and prevent teen dating violence.

Additional Resources:

• CyberTipline: NCMEC operates the CyberTipline as a means of reporting incidents of child sexual exploitation, including the possession, manufacture, and/or distribution of child pornography; online enticement; child prostitution; child sex tourism; extrafamilial child sexual molestation; unsolicited obscene material sent to a child; and misleading domain names, words, or digital images. The CyberTipline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Make a report at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1.800.THE.LOST if you have information that will help in our fight against child sexual exploitation.
  
  
• The National Center for Victims of Crime is dedicated to forging a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. The National Center's toll-free Helpline, (800) FYI-CALL, offers supportive counseling, practical information about crime and victimization, and referrals to local community resources, as well as skilled advocacy in the criminal justice and social service systems.
  
  
• If you or someone you know needs help or support, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, (800) 656-HOPE, operated by   The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network  (RAINN). Your call is anonymous and confidential. You may also contact a counselor using the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline. The online hotline provides live, secure, anonymous crisis support for victims of sexual assault, their friends, and families. Both resources are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you would like to search for a specific crisis center in your area, visit http://centers.rainn.org.

References

7. Kilpatrick, D., Acierno, R., Saunders, B., Resnick, H., Best, C., Schnurr, P. "National Survey of Adolescents." Charleston, SC: Medical University of South Carolina, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, 1998.
8. "Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics." U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000.
9. "Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics." U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000.
10. Bureau of Justice Statistics. "National Crime Victimization Survey." U.S. Department of Justice, 1996.
11. "Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics." U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000.
12. Silverman, J. G., Raj, A., Mucci, L. A., and Hathaway, J. E. "Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Use, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy, and Suicidality." Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 286, (No. 5), 2001.
13. Wolak, J., Mitchell, K., Finkelhor, D. Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2006. Available online: http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/publications/NC167.pdf.
14. Ibid.
15. Ibid.

And Adults Need Protection Too!

Facts:

• 18% of surveyed women and 3% of surveyed men were raped at some point in their lifetime.
• 19% of minority women and 18% of nonminority women reported a rape at some point in their lifetime.
• American Indian/Alaska Native women are significantly more likely than women from all other backgrounds to have been raped at some point in their lifetime.
• 54% of female victims and 71% of male victims were first raped before their 18th birthday.
• 29% of female victims and 17% of male victims were 18 to 24 years old when they were first raped.
• 17% of female victims and 12% of male victims were 25 or older.
• Although most rape victims identified by NVAWS were under the age of 18 when they were first raped, the survey found that more women were raped as adults than as children or adolescents.

If you are a victim of sexual assault: 17 Try to get to a place where you feel safe. Reach out for support. Call someone you trust, like a friend or family member. You are not alone; there are people who can give you the support you need. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-HOPE—your call is free and is anonymous and confidential. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Medical care is important to address any injuries you may have and to protect against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Most important, know that the assault is not your fault.

You have the right to:

• Be treated with respect and dignity.
• Privacy. That means you can refuse to answer any questions about the sexual assault, your sexual orientation, your sexual history, your medical history (including HIV status), and your mental health history.
• Have your conversations with a sexual assault counselor/advocate remain confidential.
• Decide whether or not you want to report the assault to the police.
• Not be judged based on your race, age, class, gender, or sexual orientation.
• Have a sexual assault counselor/advocate accompany you to medical, law enforcement, and legal proceedings.
• Request that someone you are comfortable with stay with you in the examination room.
• Ask questions and get answers regarding any tests, exams, medications, treatments, or police reports.
• Be considered a victim/survivor of sexual assault, regardless of the offender’s relationship to you.

If you are considering filing a police report:

• Try not to bathe, shower, change your clothes, eat, drink, smoke, gargle, or urinate prior to the exam.
• Seek medical attention for an exam and evidence collection as soon as possible after the assault.
• Bring a change of clothes with you.
• You have the right to have a sexual assault counselor/advocate with you during your medical exam.
• Reporting to the police is your choice.

As a victim/survivor of sexual assault, you may have some of the following feelings:

• Anger, fear, guilt
• Loss of control, powerlessness, embarrassment
• Depression, isolation, denial
• Shame, disbelief, self-blame, emotional shock

You may experience some or all of the above feelings. This is natural and every victim/survivor of sexual assault responds differently. Remember, you are not alone and you are not to blame for what happened.

How to help. 18 If someone you care about is sexually assaulted, you may feel angry, confused, and helpless. There are several things you can do to help in the healing process and provide the support your loved one needs.

• Believe the victim/survivor unconditionally. Accept what you hear without judgment.
• Reinforce to the victim/survivor that it is not his or her fault. Sexual assault is NEVER the victim/survivor’s fault. It is important not to ask “why” questions, such as “Why were you in that area at that time?” that suggest that they are to blame for the assault.
• Understand that you cannot control how the victim/survivor feels or “fix” the problem. Everyone reacts differently to sexual assault and heals at their own pace. It is important that you not assume you know how they are feeling—almost any reaction is possible and completely normal.
• Be a good listener and be patient. Let the victim/survivor know you are there for them when they are ready to talk. When and if the victim/survivor does want to talk about the assault, do not push for information. Let them tell you what they are comfortable sharing in their own time.
• Help the victim/survivor regain a sense of control over their life. During a sexual assault, power is taken away from the victim/survivor. Support decisions and choices the victim/survivor makes without passing judgment. Try not to tell the victim/survivor what to do; instead assist by presenting options and resources for them to make the decision that is right for them.
• Respect the victim/survivor’s need for privacy. If the victim/survivor needs to be alone, respect that decision.
• Do not suggest that the victim/survivor “move on” with their life and forget about the rape. The victim/survivor needs the opportunity to work through the trauma of the assault and begin the healing process.
• Respect the victim/survivor’s right to decide whether or not to report the assault to the police.
• Remember to take care of yourself—seek support if you need it. You will be better able to support the victim/survivor.

If you need help or support, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-HOPE, operated by The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). Your call is anonymous and confidential. You may also contact a counselor using the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline. The online hotline provides live, secure, anonymous crisis support for victims of sexual assault, their friends, and families. Both resources are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you would like to search for a specific crisis center in your area, visit http://centers.rainn.org.

Materials:

• A Place to Start:  A Resource Kit for Preventing Sexual Violence: The Minnesota Department of Health developed this resource kit to provide a variety of sexual assault prevention resources for a multitude of professions and communities.
  
  
• Concerned About Sex Offenders in Your Neighborhood? (PDF) Stop It Now! has developed a tip sheet on what you should and should not do when learning about the presence of sex offenders in your community.
  
  
• NetSmartz411 is an online service provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children designed to answer questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web.

Additional Resources:

• The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides national leadership in developing the nation's capacity to reduce violence against women through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act. OVW maintains resources for victims of sexual assault, including state sexual assault coalition listings.
  
  
• RAINN provides Free Online Training for Crisis Centers and Volunteers on helping victims of sexual assault. RAINN provides the service at no charge to 1,100 local rape crisis center affiliates and their thousands of staff and volunteers.
  
  
• The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) utilizes a comprehensive grassroots communication network to shape national policy related to sexual violence and victims' needs; ensure funding for rape crisis programs and sexual assault coalitions; and provide expertise to governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations addressing sexual violence in all of its forms.
  
  
• Centers for Disease Control Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program: The RPE program encourages the development of comprehensive prevention strategies through a continuum of activities that address all levels of the social ecological model. It is important that these activities are developmentally appropriate for the audience and are conducted at different life stages. This approach is more likely to prevent sexual violence across a lifetime than any single intervention or policy change.
  
  
• The National Center for Victims of Crime is dedicated to forging a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. The National Center's toll-free Helpline, (800) FYI-CALL, offers supportive counseling, practical information about crime and victimization, and referrals to local community resources, as well as skilled advocacy in the criminal justice and social service systems.
  
  
• The Office for Victims of Crime makes available on their Website an Online Directory of Crime Victim Services, a resource designed to help service providers and individuals locate nonemergency crime victim service agencies in the United States and abroad.
  
  
• VAWnet, the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women. VAWnet’s Prevention & Education section offers effective strategies, and reliable, culturally relevant tools are necessary to bring about heightened public awareness and the focused societal commitment necessary to end violence against women. This area provides resources to support prevention (primary, secondary, and tertiary) and social change education activities that identify and address factors that perpetuate and increase risk of sexual violence.
  
  
• The National Sexual Violence Resource Center serves as the nation’s principal information and resource center regarding all aspects of sexual violence. It provides national leadership, consultation, and technical assistance by generating and facilitating the development and flow of information on sexual violence intervention and prevention strategies. The NSVRC works to address the causes and impact of sexual violence through collaboration, prevention efforts, and the distribution of resources.

References

16. Tjaden, P. and Thoennes, N. "Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Rape Victimization: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey." Special Report. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2006.
17. Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc. http://www.connsacs.org/seeksupport/assaulted.htm.
18. Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc. http://www.connsacs.org/seeksupport/friend_assaulted.htm.

For a list of sex offender registry by state refer to the list at the top of the page.There you can find more information regarding sex offenders in each state and find out if any sex offenders live in your neighborhood. To protect your family check your sex offender registry in your state or local area.