A statement from the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.
As October arrives and families begin preparing for Halloween, it is always a priority to ensure children’s safety during this holiday. It is important to learn the facts and know the risks to your child during this festive time. A heightened risk of being sexually abused is NOT one of the dangers children face at Halloween.
The simple fact is that there are no significant increases in sex crimes on or around Halloween. There is no “Halloween effect.” There is no change in the rate of sexual crimes by non-family members during Halloween. That was true both before and after communities enacted laws to restrict the activities of registrants during Halloween.
The crimes that do increase around Halloween are vandalism and property destruction, as well as theft, assault, and burglary. In addition, according to the Centers for Disease Control, children are four times more likely to be killed by a pedestrian/motor-vehicle accident on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
Fully 93% of sexual assaults on children are perpetrated by someone known to, and trusted by, the child and the child’s family. But due to the myths regarding child sexual abuse that focus on “stranger danger,” communities and lawmakers often endorse policies that do little to prevent sexual abuse and instead unnecessarily stretch limited law enforcement resources.
Jurisdictions that ban individuals on sex offender registries from participating in any Halloween activities, require registrants to post signs in their yards during Halloween, or round up registrants for the duration of trick-or-treating do not make children safer. Instead, these approaches create a false sense of safety while using law enforcement resources that could be better spent protecting children against the higher risk they do face during Halloween – injury or death from motor vehicles.
Child sexual abuse is a serious public health issue that faces all communities. Although the prevalence of child sexual abuse can be difficult to determine due to under-reporting, researchers estimate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be victims of sexual abuse before age 18.
For concerned parents, the best way to protect children from sexual abuse is to know the facts about sexual offending and take precautions based on facts, not fears. Parents can visit www.atsa.com to learn more about sexual abuse and prevention.
For more research and analysis on this topic please see a previous blog by Jill Levenson called “Halloween & Sex Crime: Myth vs. Reality” – Kieran
Hello All:
I’ve been busy.
I sent a copy of this Statement by email to the Sheriff of Volusia County and 8 of his top level staff.
The truth is simply that … the truth.
Please help me by getting the email addresses of officials, legislators, judges etc.
The lie that Halloween is tied up with sex offending MUST STOP HERE AND NOW.
Thank You
He ( Chitwood ) was on fox 35 Orlando this morning gloating about interfering with a judges decision to allow a sex offender out on bond. This influence caused the judge to rethink his decision, revoked the bond of the offender and is now calling on law makers to end bond for those with a sex offense. Essentially stating “ALL” are guilty and to fight your appeal from prison, which we all know is 99% harder to do than when free out on bond.
Right after doing the sting on sex offenders with “Fake” victims, the sheriffs office then did a sting on drug offenders and arrested untold numbers using officers as dealers and here is the kicker “Fake” drugs. How can you be arrested for buying drugs that are not real?
This is a sad day when public opinion is swaying the decision-making process for judges. Regardless of how one feels about the case, look at the judge out in California who was recalled by the voters for giving that college student probation for having sex with that girl behind a dumpster. Are we heading to the day when emotions and social media will be used by all judges in their decisions?
Reminder to all who live in Duval:
https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXIXPUSA_CH685SEOFSEPRRE_S685.104PRACSEOFSEPREX
Sec. 685.104. – Prohibited Activities for Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators; Exceptions.
(a)Prohibitions and requirements for Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators; Exemption.
(1)It is unlawful for any Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator to participate in any practice or event, including, but not limited to, any event related to a nationally or locally recognized holiday or seasonal event, if such practice or event is primarily targeted toward non-familial children.
(2)It is unlawful for any Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator to wear costumes, clothing, make-up, mask or anything that would alter a person’s appearance in the presence of any non-familial child if such altered appearance could or would entice, attract or lure a child to congregate around, or move closer to, that person.
(3)Any person designated a Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator shall:
(i)Avoid all Halloween related contact with children;
(ii)From 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., on October 31 (or any other day on which Halloween is celebrated) post a sign at his or her residence, including a vessel, or vehicle, stating, “No candy or treats here.” Such signs shall be in letters at least two inches high and shall be legible on the property leased, rented, owned or occupied by the Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator, and clearly visible from the street, waterway, or any property that is open to public access. The signs may be removed after 11:59 p.m. on October 31, or the day on which Halloween is celebrated.
(iii)Except for lighting provided on a year-round basis by the owner or manager of a multi-family residential unit for the purpose of security or walkway or hallway illumination, leave all outside residential lighting off during the evening hours after 5:00 p.m. on October 31 (or any other day on which Halloween is celebrated).
(iv)Not place or allow any display, including but not limited to displays for any nationally or locally recognized holiday or seasonal event or practice, to be visible from the exterior of any Sexual Offender’s or Sexual Predator’s residence, including a vehicle or vessel, or on any property which is leased, rented, owned or occupied by such person, if such display is primarily targeted to entice, attract, or lure a child onto any residence or property, or onto or nearer to any vehicle or vessel rented, owned or occupied by such person. Enforcement of this section shall not be limited to the actual calendar date of any given nationally or locally recognized holiday or seasonal event or practice.
(4)The following is a list of exemptions for Sexual Offenders or Sexual Predators from this section. During any nationally or locally recognized holiday or seasonal event or practice:
(i)The Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator may attend if such person is the parent or guardian of the child or children involved and only those familial children are present;
(ii)The Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator may attend if the event is held in a location such as a personal residence which would not be attracting or enticing to non-familial children to attend (prohibited locations include, but are not limited to family gatherings in parks, pools, or other locations or places where children could be lured); or
(iii)The Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator is not present at the event location although such location may be owned, leased, rented or occupied by such person.
(b)Definitions. The following terms are defined as follows for the purposes of this section:
(1)Child, children, or minor shall mean individuals whose chronological age is less than 18 years.
(2)Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator shall mean an individual who is registered or obligated to be registered by any state or federal agency as either a sexual offender or sexual predator and whose name is published or required to be published on any state or federal registered sexual offender or sexual predator listing, including, but not limited to the sexual offenders and sexual predators registry established in F.S. §§ 943.0435, 775.21, and 944.607.
(3)Participate is defined as attend, take part in, or cooperate with the organization of an event.
(4)Display is defined as any decoration including, but not be limited to, lighting, figurines, posters, artwork, crystals, bales of hay, scarecrows, etc. which is visible to the public in plain view and is primarily targeted toward children.
(5)Practices means to carry out or perform any particular activity or method that may celebrate or recognize a particular season, customs or beliefs.
(6)Non-familial children is defined as those children who are not related to the Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator through biological means, marriage, or adoption.(c)Penalties. With regard to enforcement of this section, the City and the Sheriff’s Office may pursue any enforcement action or legal remedy available under the controlling state law and any legal remedy available to the City, to include, but not limited to, injunctive relief, arrest, a fine not exceeding $500.00 for each occurrence, or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 60 days or by both a fine and imprisonment for each occurrence, unless prohibited by law.
(d)Separate violations. Each separate occurrence of any conduct prohibited by this section shall be a separate violation.
(e)Countywide Applicability. This is an ordinance of Countywide applicability, enforceable throughout Duval County.
(f)Preemption. In the event any state or federal law is enacted which is more restrictive in nature than the provisions of this section, those portions of this section which are in conflict with the state or federal law will cease to be in effect.
(g)Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or provision of this section is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall become a separate provision and will not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this section. The City of Jacksonville further declares its intent that this section would have been adopted if such unconstitutional provision was not included.
(Ord. 2010-836-E, § 5; Ord. 2015-214-E , § 1; Ord. 2016-233-E , § 1)
I specifically asked that if I was out of the house all day and night of Helloween, would I still have to put the sign in my yard and turn off the lights. I was told, “Yes.”
I just emailed the Mayor of Jacksonville with the following:
Hello Sir:
I would like to respectfully bring your attention to a press release from ATSA, which is a nationally known organization of professionals who specialize in the treatment of sexual abusers. ATSA’s mission is to make society safer by preventing sexual abuse. To achieve that, ATSA continues to support and promote sound research, effective practice, informed policy, and comprehensive prevention strategies.
Here is a transcript of that press release:
****(INCLUDED PRESS RELEASE HERE)****
Unfortunately sir, Jacksonville Ordinance Sec. 685.104. – Prohibited Activities for Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators; Exceptions – completely ignores this peer-reviewed and thoroughly vetted scientific research.
That makes Jacksonville Ordinance Sec. 685.104 akin to the Salem witch trials of the 17th century.
Very Respectfully
Very good! Thank you.
https://patch.com/massachusetts/falmouth/falmouths-2019-halloween-sex-offender-safety-map
https://patch.com/us/across-america/sex-offender-advocates-object-mapping-registered-sex-criminals
Hello:
I just sent a copy of this State by ATSA to [email protected]
Please join me in disseminating the truth in a respectful, polite way.
Take the time to fish around for email addresses of officials around the country that you can send this statement to. Don’t embellish it, as much as you want to (I should take my own advice 🙂 ) — The truth will be loud and clear.
Thank you for reading this —now get busy!!!!!!
I just finished sending this statement to The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, FDLE, and all of the TV News outlets in The Greater Fort Myers/Naples/Cape Coral area.
I also sent it to one co-worker and an old friend.
I will share it also with others by printing it out in black and white on plain paper and keeping several copies in my car and briefcase.
PLEASE … everybody do the same!
THANK YOU!!!
I am taking care of the local stations CBS, ABC, NBC, and WJXT in Jacksonville, plus the Florida Times Union.
Thanks!!
Unfortunately, LE will say that the reason there is such a low rate of sex offenses on Halloween is because of their efforts to supervise and restrict the activities of registered citizens. We all know their position is merely propaganda but they control the media.
Although I am under no restrictions from participating in Halloween, I choose personally not to for many reasons but one being I do not want to invite trouble to my home. I turn off my porch light and just do work on the computer and pray the night will pass without incident. ( Eggs thrown at house etc )