Vcic presents an awareness guide for law enforcement

Vermont Crime Information Center
Global Justice XML Data Model

Sex Offender Awareness Guide
Practical Implementer’s Course
VCIC presents an awareness guide for
Law Enforcement and the Community.

103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671
(802) 241-5400

Understanding the VT Sex Offender
Registry and Sexual Violence
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Mission statement:
This CD is provided as a training guide for Law Enforcement and the
community in an on-going effort to raise the level of community
awareness regarding sex crimes, offenders and the Vermont Sex
Offender Registry.

The table of contents allows you to select any or all of the topics for presentation,
depending on the goals and community needs you have established.

The program assumes the presenter will have some level of understanding
regarding the topics of discussion but the overall design of the program is such
that even someone with minimal knowledge of the subject matter will come away
with an increased level of understanding.

We at VCIC hope you find this CD of value. Please do not hesitate to contact us
if we can be of any assistance.

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Table of Contents (Page 1 of 2):
Left “click” on underscored topic to go to that presentation!

• Introduction and Overview 1 • VT Sex Offender Registry 1

• Objectives 2 • VT Sex Offender Registry mission 2

• Historical Perspective 3-8

• Vermont Crime Data 3 • Current VT requirements 9

• Who must register 10

• 2004 Rape Crime Report 4 • Length of Registration 11
12
• Total Sex Offenses 5 • Internet postings
13
• Victim Age 6 • Sample SOR Internet info
14-15
• Victim Gender 7 • SOR Procedures
• Offender Age 8 • Types of Notification 16

• Offender Gender 9 • Dissemination of Info 17-18
• Victim – Offender Relationship 10 • What can be released 19-20
• Community Notification 21-22
11 • Response to Notification 23-24
• Summary 12 • Summary 25
• End • End 26

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Table of Contents (Page 2 of 2):
Left “click” on underscored topic to go to that presentation!

• Sex Crime Offenders 1
• Sex Crime Prevention 1

• Offender Overview 2
• Prevention Overview 2

• Who are Sex Offenders 3
• Effective Prevention Strategies 3-4

• Where do Sex Offenders find 4-5
• What do Victims tell us 5-6
their victims
• What citizens can do to protect 7-10
6-7
• Sex Offender Types themselves
• Sex Offender Behavior 8-13
• 8 Safety Rules for Children 11

• Sexual Recidivism 14-17
• Summary 12

• Summary 18 • End 13

• End 19

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Information Sources
• Vermont Sex Offender Registry
• (802) 241-5400

• Internet
• Vermont SOR:
• http://www.dps.state.vt.us/cjs/s_registry.htm
• National SOR:
• http://www.nsopr.gov/

• Probation/parole officers

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Vermont CrimeXML Data Model
Global Justice Information Center

Sex CrimeImplementer’s& Overview
Practical Introduction Course
Introduction And Overview

Vermont Criminal Information Center
(VCIC)
The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) is charged by
Vermont law with the retention and maintenance of complete, accurate
and timely criminal history records. By law it is also the repository of the
Sex Offender Registry.
This public service presentation is designed as an
informational and educational aid for law enforcement and the
community and is not intended to be an all-inclusive source for sex crime
information.

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Sex Crime Introduction & Overview

Objectives
• To provide a tool to aid law enforcement.

• To help educate the community regarding Vermont’s Sex
Offender Registry, sex offenders and sex crimes .

• To heighten understanding of the actual dangers within the
community regarding sex crimes and sex offenders.

• To promote public safety by reducing the opportunity for sex
crimes through public awareness.

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Vermont Crime Data
• The following slides provide statistical data pertaining to sex
crimes in Vermont for 2010.

• All information is readily available to law enforcement and the
public through Vermont Crime On-Line at the following internet
address:

http://vcic.vermont.gov/crime%20statistics/Vermont%20Crime%20On-Line

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Vermont Rape Crime 2010 Report Summary
• In 2010, 30% of reported forcible rapes occurred in Chittenden
County.
• The average age of forcible rape victims was 21 years old.
• Approximately 51% of rape victims in 2010 were under the age
of 18.
• In 81% of the cases the defendant was an acquaintance of the
victim.
• In 21% of the cases the defendant was either a family member
or an intimate partner of the victim.
• In only 2% of the cases was the defendant a stranger.
• The average age of defendants arrested for forcible rape was
29 years of age.
• Approximately 38% of defendants arrested for forcible rape
were under 21 years of age.
• Nearly 76% of forcible rapes occurred in a residence.
• Injuries were sustained by 53% of the victims.

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Total Sex Offenses (Vermont - 2010)

86% of reported sex offenses were forcible

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Victim Age (Vermont - 2010)

58% of sex offense
victims were
between 10 and 17
years of age

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Victim Gender (Vermont - 2010)

86% of sex offense
victims were female

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Offender Age (Vermont - 2010)
Average age of
known sex
offenders was
29 years old

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Offender Gender (Vermont - 2010)

94% of known
sex offenders
were male

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Victim to Offender Relationship (Vermont - 2010)

66% of the known
The offenders were
offender acquaintances of
was a the victim
stranger
in only
2% of the
cases!

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Summary
• The previous data and charts were designed to provide an
overview of some of the key issues regarding sex crimes in
Vermont. This data reveals the following generalities about the
average sex crime in Vermont:

• Offenders tend to be male between 13 and 50 years old

• Victims tend to be female

• Victims tend to be between 12 and 24 years old

• The victim is often an acquaintance or family member of the
offender
*Note: These are generalities and there are always exceptions to the rule. Everyone should be cognizant of potential risk
in any circumstance.

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Hit “ESC” (once) or “Enter” (twice) to return to menu

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Vermont Sex Offender Registry
VT Sex Offender Registry

Bonnie Goode
Coordinator
VT Sex Offender Registry
VCIC

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Sex Offender Registry (SOR) Mission:
• To deter and reduce sexual crime by:

• Maintaining a statewide registry of convicted sex
offenders

• Assisting law enforcement to protect the
community from sexual crime

• Providing sex offender information and sex crime
prevention training for law enforcement and the
community

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Historical Perspective

The following slides give a brief historical perspective
regarding the development of sex offender registration
legislation in the United States and in Vermont. Like
most legislation it was a reactive response to specific
incidents and events. Current laws are a result of
cumulative changes and modifications over a period of
time.

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Historical Perspective (cont.)
• 11 year old Jacob Wetterling
• Non-family abduction on October 22, 1989
by an armed, masked man.
• Intensive search by local police and FBI.
• Jacob still has not been found.
• Jacob Wetterling Act
• On September 13, 1994, Congress
passed Jacob Wetterling Act
• Mandates all states and territories to
set up sex offender registration
program by 9/13/97.

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• 7 year old Megan Kanka
• New Jersey - July 29, 1994
• 7 year old Megan Kanka lured into
neighbor’s home to see puppy.
• Megan sexually assaulted and murdered
by strangulation.
• Megan's body found in nearby park
several days later.
• Jesse Timmendequas, twice-convicted
sex offender arrested.
• Megan’s Law
• Passed May 17, 1996. Amends Jacob
Wetterling Act.
• Mandates the establishment of the
community notification process no later
than 9/13/97.

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• Pam Lychner
• Houston real estate agent
• Brutally raped by twice-convicted felon while
showing a home
• Formed a victim advocate group called “Justice
for All”
• Killed with her 2 daughters in crash of TWA
flight 800 in 1996
• Pam Lychner Sexual Offender Tracking and
Identification Act
• Passed by Congress in October 1996.
• Requires lifetime registration for “recidivist” or
“aggravated” offenders

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• Jeanne Clery
• 19 years old
• Lehigh University freshman
• Raped & murdered April 5, 1986, while
asleep in her residence hall
• Parents discovered there were 38
violent crimes on campus that students
were unaware of
• 2000 - Congress amends the Jacob
Wetterling Act with the “Campus Sex
Crimes Prevention Act” (Effective
10/27/2002)
• Mandates sex offenders to report
employment or enrollment information
to law enforcement
• Law enforcement must forward
information to campus police
“promptly” (as soon as possible)

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• July 1, 1996 Vermont Legislature enacts VT Sex Offender Registry Legislation

• Vermont Sex Offender Registry Law – Title 13 Vermont Statutes Annotated
• § 5402. Sex offender registry:
• (a) The department of public safety shall establish and maintain a sex offender
registry, which shall consist of the information required to be filed under this
subchapter.
• (b) All information contained in the registry may be disclosed for any purpose
permitted under the law of this state, including use by:
• (1) local, state and federal law enforcement agencies exclusively for lawful
law enforcement activities;
• (2) state and federal governmental agencies for the exclusive purpose of
conducting confidential background checks;
• (3) any employer, including a school district, who is authorized by law to
request records and information from the Vermont criminal information
center, where such disclosure is necessary to protect the public concerning
persons required to register under this subchapter. The identity of a victim
of an offense that requires registration shall not be released; and
• (4) a person identified as a sex offender in the registry for the purpose of
reviewing the accuracy of any record relating to him or her. The identity of a
victim of an offense that requires registration shall not be released.
• (c) The departments of corrections and public safety shall adopt rules, forms and
procedures under chapter 25 of Title 3 to implement the provisions of this
subchapter.

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Current Vermont Requirements
Pursuant to Vermont statute the
was created in July of 1996.
Since that time a database of
information pertaining to Sex
Offenders was developed and
has been maintained. The
database retains pertinent
information regarding the
offenders and their respective
crimes. The sex offender
registry requires notification of
address change, thus allowing
for the tracking of sex offenders.
The database is the source of
data for internet postings.

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Who must register?
T. 13 VSA sec. 5401 - 5407

• Individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses prior to July 1, 1996
who were still under the supervision of the Department of Corrections,
and any subsequent offenders are required to register with Vermont.

• Individuals with sex offense convictions from other states or
jurisdictions who are:
• living in Vermont;
• attending post-secondary schools in Vermont;
• working in Vermont.

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Length of Registration

• Period of Supervision plus 10 years after discharge

• Lifetime registration required for convictions after
Sept. 01, 2001 for: (Number of lifetime registrants = 1418 June 2012)

• Sexual Predators*
• Sexual Recidivists*
• Violent Sexual Offenders*

* T. 13 VSA sec. 5401

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Which Offenders are posted to the internet?
Not all sex offenders are posted on the internet Sex Offender Registry site.
As of June 2012 more than 38% of the currently registered sex offenders were
posted on the internet. Reasons for internet posting include:

• Offenders who have been convicted of Aggravated Sexual Assault

• Offenders who have been convicted of Kidnapping & Sexual Assault of a Child

• Sexual Recidivists

• Offenders who have an active warrant for a Registry violation

• Offenders who have been designated as a Sexual Predator

• Offenders who are non-compliant with treatment requirements

• Offenders who have been designated by the Department of Corrections as “High Risk” to re-offend

• Out of State Sex Offenders whose crime of conviction is comparable to Vermont crimes which, by
definition, are eligible for internet posting .

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Sample SOR Internet information

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SOR Procedures
• Vermont residents will register with Department of
Corrections (DOC)

• Registrant is entered into the Vermont Registry and the
National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

• Registrants from another state who move to Vermont, work
in Vermont, or enroll in postsecondary schools contact the
Registry for forms and report to a Vermont State Police
Barracks for photo and prints.

• Registry notifies Law Enforcement when a registrant
moves in or out of their jurisdiction

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SOR Procedures (cont.)
• Registrants must notify the Registry within three (3) days of any
change of address. These notifications apply to out of state changes
as well as within Vermont.
• Registrants who have been designated as “High Risk” offenders must
notify the Registry within thirty six (36) hours of any change of address,
employment status or enrollment in a postsecondary educational
institution. These notifications apply to out of state changes as well as
within Vermont.
• Registrants must verify their physical and mailing addresses once a
year within ten (10) days of their birth date. Registrants who have
been designated as “Violent Predators” must validate their address
information every 90 days.
• Registrants failing to comply are subject to arrest without a warrant.

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Types of Sex Offender Registry notification
• The Vermont Sex Offender registry maintains an
offender database which provides the basis for the
following types of dissemination:

• Response to requests from the public
• Requests can be made to local police departments and VCIC in
person, in writing and by telephone

• Active Community notification by law enforcement
agencies

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Dissemination of SOR information

• Response to requests from the public
• If the registrant is not on internet
• Request must be of a specific person
• Requester must articulate a concern regarding their safety or
the safety of another
• Release must be in compliance with written protocols
• If the registrant is on the internet
• Request must be of a specific person
• Release must be in compliance with written protocols

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Dissemination of SOR information (cont.)
• Active community notification by criminal justice
agencies
• If the registrant is not on the Internet
• Notification only in circumstances which constitute a compelling
risk to public safety
• Only after consultation with the VCIC and DOC
• Notification must be in compliance with written protocols
• If the registrant is on the Internet
• At the discretion of criminal justice agencies
• Notification must be in compliance with written protocols

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What information can be released?
(sex offender not posted on internet)
• Upon request of a member of the public about a specific
offender for whom they can articulate a public safety concern,
VCIC, the department of corrections (DOC), and any authorized
law enforcement agency shall release the following registry
information on sex offenders whose information is not required
to be posted on the internet:
• the offender’s date of birth;
• a general description of the offender;
• the date and nature of the offender’s conviction;
• whether the offender complied with treatment recommended by the
DOC
• whether there is an outstanding warrant for the offender’s arrest.

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What information can be released? (cont.)
(sex offender posted on internet)
• Upon request of a member of the public about a specific person, VCIC, the
department of corrections (DOC), and any authorized law enforcement agency shall
release the following registry information on sex offenders whose information is
required to be posted on the internet:
• the offender’s known aliases;
• the offender’s date of birth;
• a general description of the offender;
• the offender’s town of residence;
• the date and nature of the offender’s conviction;
• if the offender is under the supervision of the DOC, the name and telephone number
of the local DOC office in charge of monitoring the offender;
• whether the offender complied with treatment recommended by the DOC
• whether there is an outstanding warrant for the offender’s arrest;
• the reason for which the offender information is available.

• Law Enforcement may release address information if the requestor can articulate a
safety concern.

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Community Notification
for “High Risk” Offenders

• When a sex offender is released from a correctional
institution, VCIC notifies Law Enforcement in the
jurisdiction where the individual will reside.

• It is Law Enforcement’s responsibility to take the steps they
deem appropriate to advise the community and protect the
public interest. This takes the form of some sort of
community notification which can vary on a case-by-case
basis.

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Community Notification (cont.)
SAMPLE package provided to Law Enforcement on
release of a HIGH RISK OFFENDER
Cover Letter Sample Press Release
Offender Information

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Response to Community Notification

Few of us would question the need for sex offenders to be held
accountable for their actions. Yet while holding them
accountable, we must ensure that sex offender registration and
community notification are not used as additional punishment. It
is, and is meant to be, regulatory.

Fair, responsible, and non-inflammatory community notification
is a reasonable consequence to the acts of the offender;
furthermore, it allows citizens to take prudent and rational steps
to protect themselves, their children, and their community.

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Response to Community Notification (cont.)
It is natural to be angry or fearful when we hear about a sex
offender living nearby. Citizens should not perform the role of law
enforcement by attempting to investigate suspected criminal acts
or by engaging in vigilantism. Vigilante acts such as assaults are
illegal. If a citizen has a concern that criminal conduct has been
committed or is going to be committed, the citizen should
immediately notify law enforcement.

Law enforcement officers, based upon their training, are better
able to properly and effectively investigate a sexual offender which
in turn increases the probability that the sex offender will be
convicted, punished and held accountable for his or her crime.

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Summary
• The development of Sex Offender laws and registration processes throughout
the country have been reactive responses to specific incidents.

• The Vermont Sex Offender Registry was legislatively mandated in 1996 and is
managed at the Vermont Criminal Information Center.

• The Vermont Sex Offender Registry program is dedicated to maintaining up to
date and accurate information on sex offenders in our communities.

• The Vermont Sex Offender Registry additionally provides law enforcement
notification for “high risk” offenders and strives to improve community
awareness through education and understanding.

• The community needs to understand the value and purpose of the sex offender
registry as well as their role in ensuring that information obtained from the
Registry is used responsibly.

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Sex Crime Offenders
Sex Crime Offenders

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Sex Crime Offenders

Offender Overview
In order to better protect yourself, your children and the community
it is extremely important that you have at least a basic
understanding of what you are protecting yourself against and how
to recognize possible danger signs. This knowledge will help
minimize fear of things unknown.

The following slides will provide a very basic overview of some of
the sexual offender profiles in our society.

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Sex Crime Offenders

Who are Sexual Offenders?
• Sex Offenders are everywhere

• They look no different then anyone else

• They come in any age, size and gender

• Sex Offenders are present at every socio-economic level

• They often align themselves in positions that give them access
to their victims

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Sex Crime Offenders
Where do sex offenders find their victims?

Private Residences
and YOUR Home

Parks and Playgrounds

Churches and Meeting Halls

Woods and Recreational areas Internet Schools

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Sex Crime Offenders
Where do sex offenders find their victims? (cont.)
Bottom Line – Anywhere there is opportunity!

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Sex Crime Offenders
Sexual Offender Types

• Rapists • Molesters
• Predators • Girl molesters
• Pediphiles
• Stalkers
• Boy molesters
• Internet
• Opportunists
• Anger motivated
• Non-Contact
Offenders
• Incest Offenders • Exhibitionists
• Pornography

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Sex Crime Offenders
Offender Type
(Vermont Probation & Parole, 2003)

Rapists = 16% Non-Contact Offenders = 12%
Incest Offenders = 15% Molesters - Female Victims (<16) = 49%
Molesters - Male Victims (<16)= 9%

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Sex Crime Offenders
Not All Sex Offenders Are The Same
Sex offenders cannot be stereotyped by appearance or
location. However, sex offenders generally have sex crime
preferences and each typology varies by:
• Victim preferences
• Behavior preferences (methods of operation)
• Attitudes of offender towards deviant behavior
• Motivation of offender
• Risk to re-offend (some typologies have higher probability)
• Management strategies needed
• Given the differences in sex offenders, treatment and screening
strategies vary

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Sex Crime Offenders
Crossover Offending
Sex offenders tend to specialize, but….

• Some incest offenders also molest outside the home

• Some men who molest male children also molest female
children

• Some rapists also molest children

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Sex Crime Offenders
Patterns of Sexual Offending: Three Preconditions for
sexual crime to occur
1 2 3

Motives Willingness Opportunity

• Sexual Interest • Cognitive Distortions • Planned versus
• Emotional Closeness • Substance Abuse Opportunistic
• Power and Control • Pornography • Force versus
• Anger/Grievance • Stress
Manipulation
• Psychopathy
• Other

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Sex Crime Offenders
Rapist Typologies
From A. Nicholas Groth's studies, and the work of others, a rapist motivational typology has been
developed that most often places offender behavior into one of five typologies:
• Power Reassurance: offender behaviors that suggest an underlying lack of confidence and
inadequacy, or belief that the offense is consensual;

• Power Assertive: offender behaviors that suggest an underlying lack of confidence and
inadequacy, expressed through a need for control, mastery, and humiliation of the victim, while
demonstrating authority;

• Anger Retaliatory:: offender behaviors that suggest a great deal of rage, either towards a
specific person, group, institution or a symbol of either;

• Sadistic: offender behaviors that suggest that the offender gets sexual gratification from
victim pain and suffering;

• Opportunistic: offender behaviors that suggest an offender who is out to satisfy immediate
sexual impulses.

"Psychological Crime Scene Tape: The Investigative Use of Rapist Motivational Typologies,"
Brent E. Turvey – 1999

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Sex Crime Offenders
Victim Grooming
• Many sex offenders invest many hours, days and even years in the
cultivation or grooming of their victims. They work their way into the
victims’ worlds usually by gaining the victims’ trust and respect with gifts
and promises.

• They are often extremely adept at finding vulnerable environments and
building on its weaknesses.

• Internet “chats” and the like provide an excellent environment for sexual
predators to locate and cultivate victims.

• Homes without adequate supervision provide an opportunity for many
child molesters.

• Environments with single mothers tend to be a target for sexual
predators.

• Sex offenders will often seek employment in environments where they
have access to potential victims of their preference.
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Sex Crime Offenders
Victim Grooming (cont.)
“A Sexual Predator’s Statement”
As quoted from Robert Schilling’s “Community Notification: A Blueprint for Success”
Jim disclosed that he has been sexually assaulting children, males and females since
he was 8 or 9 years old. His victim’s [sic] range in age from 2 to 10 years old. He groomed his
victim’s [sic] by keeping candy, popsicles, and children’s toys in his apartment. He raised birds
to attract children; took children to the park, beach and McDonald’s and used children he was
baby-sitting to gain access to other victims. He groomed the parents by offering free baby-
sitting; helping out by providing transportation and money “when they needed it”. He disclosed
he gains access by targeting single parents with a large number of children who are not good
housekeepers. In his words, “a mother who doesn’t give a damn.”
He played the part of Mary’s best friend by being around her as much as possible
and telling her she could always come to him if she needed someone to talk to. He helped Mary
do her homework and her household chores. He played games with Mary and took her to the
park. Other places he took her were the malls, toy stores, clothing stores and swimming pools.
He gave Mary money and bought her things, such as toys, board games, a bike, and expensive
clothing. When he was baby-sitting Mary he would tell her she could do anything she wanted.
He told Mary if she would let him do whatever he wanted to her he would buy her things. To
keep her quiet he told Mary that if her mother found out about what “we” were doing, she
would be mad and it would be all Mary’s fault.

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Sex Crime Offenders
Average Sexual Offender Re-Arrest Rates
Harris & Hanson (2004)
10 sample groups; Total = 4,724 individuals
Percent
100
90
80
70
60 27%
50 24%
40
20%
30
14%
20
10
0
0 5 10 15 20

Years in Community
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Sex Crime Offenders
Sexual Recidivism
• Recidivism is defined as being arrested for the commission of a new
offense. In the case of sex offenders, the public is most concerned with
sexual recidivism - the commission of a new sexual offense.

• Andrew Harris & R. Karl Hanson conducted an international study in
2004 and they reported statistics showing:
• After 5 years in the community there is approximately a 14% rate of
re-arrest for sexual offenses.
• The highest rate of sexual recidivism (77%) was for those with
previous sexual offenses, who selected boy victims outside the
family and who were never married.
• In general, rapists re-offend more often than child molesters.
• Among child molesters, those with male victims have been found to
have the highest recidivism rates, followed by those with unrelated
female victims.
• Incest offenders show the lowest recidivism rates of all sexual
offenders.

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Sex Crime Offenders
Risk Factors that Don’t Change
“Static Risk Factors”
The probability of sexual recidivism can be assessed through
various risk factors – some of which are static and often define
the individual’s sex offense tendencies. These include:

• Prior sex offense charges or convictions
• Prior non-sexual criminal offenses
• Stranger victims
• Prior non-contact sex offenses
• Prior non-sexual violent offenses
• Unrelated victims
• Male victims
• Offender was young at time of offense
• Minimal co-habitation history

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Sex Crime Offenders
Risk Factors that Do Change
“Dynamic Risk Factors”
Dynamic risk factors can and often do change. Changes in these
factors can often be predictors of a persons inclination toward
recidivism. These include:

• Non-cooperation with supervision and treatment
• Sexual preoccupation
• Victim access
• Relationship problems with partner
• Collapse of social supports
• Emotional collapse
• Hostility
• Substance abuse
• Employment and residence instability

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Sex Crime Offenders

Summary
• Not all sex offenders are the same and community members
must be aware of this and have an understanding of the types of
sexual offenders in our society in order to best protect
themselves and their families.

• Being cognizant of offender methodologies and ever vigilant for
signs of deviant behavior are among the best defenses.

• Certain sex offenders appear to have higher rates of sexual
recidivism; sexual recidivism rates are influenced by a number of
static and dynamic factors.

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Sex Crime Offenders

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Sex Crime Prevention

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Sex Crime Prevention Overview

The best protection against sex crime is an informed
public. Providing more information to the community to
protect itself and increasing awareness and
understanding can be a significant step toward the
reduction of sex crimes in Vermont.

The following slides give a brief insight into some of the
issues and measures that communities can take to
promote a safer living environment.

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Effective Prevention Strategies
Look Beyond the “Tip of the Iceberg”
Sex Offender Registries, Media
and Word of Mouth Known

Unknown Sex Offenders

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Effective Prevention Strategies
Look Beyond the “Tip of the Iceberg” (cont.)
• It is important to understand that the sex offender
registries are simply tools to help enhance public
awareness and they only provide information about
specific known sex offenders.

• Doesn’t include those who were convicted prior to the law
going into effect

• Doesn’t include those who have yet to be caught

• Doesn’t include those convicted and still incarcerated.

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What Do Victims Tell Us?
Kilpatrick et al. (2003). National Survey of Adolescents.

Victim reporting of sexual crime
100

80
86% of Sexual abuse not
60 reported to the authorities
40

20

0
Not Reported Child Reported Other
reported to Police Protective to School reported
Services
*some cases reported to more than one authority

68 vcic.vermont.gov


What Do Victims Tell Us? (cont.)
Victims’ Greatest Concerns
Kilpatrick, Edmunds, Seymour (1992). Rape in America.

• Family knowing about the sexual assault 71%

• People thinking it was his/her fault 69%

• People outside the family knowing about assault 68%

• Name being made public by the news media 50%

69 vcic.vermont.gov


What citizens can do to protect themselves and
their children
• If you receive notification that a known sex offender is living in
your community this is a good time to:

• reinforce family safety planning

• discuss specific concerns about this offender

• be observant, vigilant and aware of your surroundings

• get involved in your Neighborhood Crime Watch program

• work with local Law Enforcement

70 vcic.vermont.gov


What citizens can do to protect themselves and their
children (cont.)
• Talk about more than just “Stranger Danger”.

• Be aware that 90% of sex offenses against children are
committed by someone known to the victim.

• Be aware that 66% of sex offenses against adults are
committed by someone known to the victim.

• Keep open communications with kids
• Indicate that you need to be informed of any inappropriate touching
• Assure your children they will be believed

• Talk to your children about the dangers of internet predators
• Restrict or monitor instant messaging and chat group participation

71 vcic.vermont.gov


their children (cont.)
• Be vigilant for behavior changes in your children that may be indicative
of some problem
• Are they abnormally moody, distraught or reclusive
• Does their interest in school or outside activities change
• Do they neglect or change their friends

• Be observant of other people that may display signs of deviant sexual
preferences and behavior (including within your own home and
neighborhood)
• Be aware of any inappropriate conversation
• Be aware of any inappropriate touching or gestures
• Is anyone spending unusually large amounts of time with your child
• Is anyone befriending your child in any way – gifts, etc – beyond the norm

72 vcic.vermont.gov


their children (cont.)

• Be alert for strangers or strange vehicles around your
home, schools or playgrounds

• Remember that sex offenders can be anywhere but
you can minimize crime by limiting offenders’
opportunities.

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8 Safety Rules for Children
• I always check first with my parents or the person in charge before I go
anywhere or get into a car, even with someone I know.

• I always check first with my parents or a trusted adult before I accept anything
from anyone, even from someone I know.

• I always take a friend with me when I go places or play outside.

• I know my name, address, telephone number, and my parent's names.

• I say no if someone tries to touch me or treat me in a way that makes me feel
scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

• I know that I can tell my parents or a trusted adult if I feel scared,
uncomfortable, or confused.

• It is OK to say no, and I know that there will always be someone who can help
me.

• I am strong, smart, and have the right to be safe.

74 vcic.vermont.gov


Summary
• Reduction of sex crimes can occur with an aware and informed
public.

• The fact that the majority of sexual offenses are not reported
and that the majority of known offenses are committed by
someone known to the offender are key concerns for the
community.

• Don’t be afraid to talk to your children and ensure that they
understand the need for open conversation and attention to safe
practices to minimize their risk of victimization.

75 vcic.vermont.gov



76 vcic.vermont.gov

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