The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Opinion

October 23, 2009

Parents need to understand the problem to prevent it

The horrific story of the abduction and murder of a young girl in Florida recently only strengthens the need for every parent to do everything possible to protect their children.

So anyone who missed the recent series of articles by Herald Staff Writer Matt Snyder on sexual offenders should go back and read them. The articles give strong insight into how predators work to lure children.

Luckily, every incidence of child abduction or molestation doesn’t end as tragically as the Florida case where 7-year-old Somer Thompson vanished on her way home from school. Her body was discovered Wednesday in a Georgia landfill nearly 50 miles away.

Still, every incident involving children who have experienced contact with a predator leaves mental scars that don’t heal easily.

Far too many stories have appeared in The Herald of court action concerning adults who sexually abused, molested or corrupted the morals of children. And to most people, there are few crimes more disgusting or unforgivable.

Yet, how many of these cases occur that aren’t reported because children are afraid to say anything or are ashamed? Far too many we would think.

In the vast majority of cases, a child predator is someone who is related or well-known to the family of the victim. Sometimes the predators are even parents or stepparents, making it even tougher for the children to come forward.

However, a 16-year-old girl interviewed for the series admitted that when she finally told on the predators who raped and abused her when she was 13, that had great healing power.

Therefore it makes a great case that every parent should talk to their children seriously about the subject and let them know that anytime they are abused or even approached about sex, it is important that they report it. The children need to understand that it’s not their fault and they shouldn’t feel ashamed about it.

After the recent Florida abduction, police immediately began to question sex offenders in that area. That’s because, unfortunately, some sex offenders do not stop after being caught once.

Local therapists interviewed by Snyder said that therapy helps many, but not all sex offenders. And that’s why the same predators, who may be suffering from pedophilia or sex addiction, may crop up in court cases multiple times. Statistics showed that sex offenders who received no treatment would commit crimes again 60 percent of the time, while those who get treatment only 15 to 20 percent.

That’s still too much if your child is involved and that’s why every parent needs to be on the alert.

The Internet is one of the areas that opened a new door for predators. And it’s the reason federal or state agents sometimes pose online as youngsters to trap predators. But it’s also important that parents monitor their children’s use of the computers.

The series did a lot to explain the impact sexual offenders have on their victims and society. Understanding this subject goes a long way toward helping to prevent it.

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