Parents Must Be Vigilant To Protect Their Children

Sat., Jan. 10, 1998

Holly A. Gust Special To Opinion

The other night I watched a program about child molesters. I was outraged at how molestation is still being dealt with. Even though molestation is not kept a secret any longer, it is still often covered up or belittled because the public is so uneducated about dealing with it.

One state now has a computer program that tells the public how many sex offenders live in each Zip code. Would you believe in just one ZIP code mentioned in the television program, 222 sex offenders reside there? Why not, there’s an elementary school there ripe for the predator’s picking, especially since none of the teachers or parents knew this information even though they had access to it.

How can this information help us? First, we’ve got to become educated about the information that is available to us. Then and only then can it help. This information can help by making us more aware of who is around our children and what could happen to them. This will make us more apt to take precautions with our children. Wouldn’t you be more cautious if you were aware that in your zip code, 222 sex offenders reside?

Some states, such as Washington, have police officers notify neighborhoods when a sex offender is moving in. The neighbors can attend community meetings to find out valuable information on how to protect their children from predators.

Sure, some of you are saying, “Well that’s not fair to the predator.” Well, I say to hell with their rights and what’s fair to them. They sure didn’t think about fairness when they took the rights of innocent children. Predators need to get help and earn back their rights.

Why am I so upset? I’ll tell you why. My innocence was taken away by an adult man when I was a very young girl. I am outraged that for his crime he has had to pay no consequences. Yet, I will carry the scars to my death. Every week I get to look forward to counseling, nightmares, body sensations and more. And why? Because no one was there to protect me.

This disease is just like any other. It is destructive and spreading out of control. Why should we as human beings not do everything in our power to protect our innocent youth, these innocent victims? Why should we allow scum of the earth to overpower us?

We have the power, let’s stand up and use it by getting educated.

MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.

Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.

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