Projects

Some are short term, like the Town Halls we're organizing for this fall. Some will be perpetual, like education and legislation. You'll find them all here, or listed in the column on the right.

If you'd like to volunteer for one of these projects, or have an opinion or suggestion, please contact us. You can also visit the Shop & Support page for more ideas on how to help.

Education

Children need ongoing education regarding safety, from the time they're two and learning about personal boundaries, until they're 17 and learning about dark parking lots and blind dates from the internet.

We think kids should learn some of this at home, with methods such as the Take 25 program from NCMEC. We teach them about matches and sharp edges, we should teach them about personal security, as well.

They also need to learn safety methods at school, either in dedicated classes, or structured into existing curricula. We're working to make that happen.

Legislation

Predatory Exposure

Proposing that Predatory Exposure, aka Indecent Exposure with Sexual Intent toward a child under age 15, result in sexual registration.

> As it stands now, even with two separate convictions of this crime, the criminal would be able to volunteer or work with children and vulnerable citizens.

Increased Penalty Zones

Proposing that crimes committed against children, within 1000 feet of a public school or bus stop, result in harsher sentencing.

> Children are required to attend school each day, and often walk to and from school alone. Studies by the Justice Department show that a majority of crimes committed against children by non-family members occur as the child is walking to or from school.
We acknowledge that harsher consequences do not necessarily reduce crime, but we believe they are appropriate when the crime shows increased predatory intent, such as hunting kids in school zones.

Extended Reporting Time

Proposing that felony offenses against children may be reported until the child turns 26.
Proposing separately that the statute of limitations on Class A felony crimes be removed.

> The overwhelming majority of crimes committed against children are committed by family members and people within the child's community. Often, the child feels that they did try to report the abuse, when in fact they did not communicate it clearly. Or the child reported to an adult or older child not inclined to act in the victim's interest.
It can take decades for the victim to realize that the abuse was not deserved, that the family will not be punished somehow, or that they can function independently of the community that they believe allowed the abuse to occur. The more severe and the earlier the abuse, the more treatment and time it will take for reporting to become an option. Also, recent research has revealed that brain maturation is completed around 26 years of age, not 18 or 21.

> Similarly, with Class A felonies, dealing with the result of the crime is the overwhelming need for the victim, rather than reporting. The only group that benefits from the statute of limitations, in this severe class of felonies, are those who committed the crimes.

Child Stalking

Proposing that a charge of Stalking a Child be a felony.

> As it stands now, Stalking a Police Officer is a felony, Stalking a Social Worker is a felony, and Stalking a Child is a gross misdemeanor. It is a very difficult allegation to prove, and we at CAP have been unable to find a non-criminal intent for Stalking a Child.

Rights of the Child

Proposing that the Rights of Children be articulated, that the result be published, and that the published document be taught to children, especially those who have been removed from their home, and who are most vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Proposing separately that children, especially those who have been removed from their home, be taught how to ensure that their rights are met, to maintain a secure and safe environment, and to report crimes committed against them.

> 33% of girls, and 20% of boys are sexually abused as minors. If those statistics were applied to a polio outbreak, you can bet the government would take drastic action.
As it stands, we have tremendous burdens placed on children, communities, and society because the problem is so overwhelming and so entrenched.
Educate, Empower, End the Cycle.

Washington State Bar Association

The Washington State Bar Association has chosen to set the bar too low, and has a registered sex offender [at least one] in their membership.

How this has worked so far: a lawyer was convicted of multiple counts of Indecent Exposure with Sexual Intent to a child, and with Stalking a child. Currently, these crimes are misdemeanors (see above project). The WSBA held a grievance hearing on the matter, almost a year after his sentencing hearing, and has recommended that he be suspended for three years.

However, he has to register as a sex offender for 10.  He'll be suspended for 3 years, and then he'll get to re-apply to the Bar again. If re-admitted, he'll practice law for 6 years while also a registered sex offender.

Wow. Officer of the Courts and registered sex offender.

We would like to add that the Washington State Bar Association is working with us to fix this issue, and has started the process toward a more common-sense method of dealing with members who are charged with sex crimes.

We appreciate how much work that will entail, and thank them for their efforts. We do think that it is best that the Bar handle this, rather than turn the issue over to legislators.