Did you know..? from Wash-CAP

Did you know?

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...In the state of Washington, it's a felony to stalk a law enforcement official, and a gross misdemeanor to stalk a child.
...The phrase 'stranger danger' is no longer considered constructive by child-safety experts. Better to teach appropriate boundaries, and to establish with your child which individuals can be trusted and why, and how to ask for help when needed.
Also very important: let your child know you trust their instincts and will trust what they tell you.
...Statistics show that one in three girls, and one in five boys, are victimized by sexual predators.
...Level One sex offenders do not have the same requirements for public disclosure as level 2 and 3 offenders. Do not assume that there are no offenders in your area simply because no notification has been issued.
...You can always call 911. Their dispatch will prioritize appropriately, so if you feel that something is 'not right', don't hesitate to get support from your local law enforcement.
...Pedophilia is a mental illness. Not all child sex crimes are committed by pedophiles - most are committed by predatory opportunists. Our understanding is that most sex offenders have very low recidivism, while the minority who are classified as true pedophiles have an extremely high risk of re-offending.
...Each state has slightly different laws, organized in a different way, and many counties and cities also have different laws with regard to where offenders can live, etc. Familiarize yourself with criminal law in each town you live in, and call your local police department's non-emergency number if you have any questions.

Need to know:

...The greatest non-family risk to your child is the undetected predator, not the registered sex offender.
The greatest protection you can give your child is support, empowerment to say 'no' to adults, and education.