ADVOCATE FOR VICTIMS IS HONORED

PFMLIT LAURA AHEARN AND PARENTS FOR MEGANS LAW, PFML

Newsday/Zachary R. Dowdy

Laura Ahearn, founder of Parents for Megan's Law, the Stony Brook-based advocacy group forvictims of sex crimes, has been recognized by the state Crime Victims Board for her efforts onbehalf of abuse victims. Ahearn, who has headed the group for 10 years, was one of three advocatesto receive the board's 2007 Special Achievement Award at a conference held October 2 in Syracuse.Ahearn said she was humbled by the honor. Providing services to victims of sexual abuse and tovictims of violent crime requires strength, compassion and the fortitude to push the envelope whennecessary, she said. To me, there is no greater calling and more fulfilling way to servesociety. Ahearn's organization monitors compliance with state and national laws that requireconvicted sex offenders to register with law enforcement authorities when they move into aneighborhood. It staffs a national Megan's law HelpLine, Rape Crisis Center and Crime VictimsCenter.

(New York)