MEGAN’S LAW GROUP WARNS: STRANGERS NOT ONLY DANGER

A forum hosted by the South Country School District's Council of Parent-Teacher Association was an attempt to create a greater awareness on parents of the dangers of childhood sex abuse.   The message from Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law who conducted the forum was, The days of 'stranger-danger' are outdated.   More than 85% of those abusing children have an established relationship with their victims and 30% are relatives.  She has authored a model school board dissemination policy that offers a blueprint for school districts and superintendents upon notification by law enforcement agencies that a high-risk offender has moved into the district.  All information would be disseminated by the districts that adopt the policy, including notification and informational brochures pursuant to Megan's Law, to staff, parents and guardians, residents in the community and other individuals or groups, at the superintendent's discretion, in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration Act.