Changes

The current trend towards punishment of offenders has been longer prison sentences, and upon release mandatory registration as a sex offender.  Legislation signed into law by President George Bush on July 27, 2006 mandates the requirement for offenders to update their whereabouts with law enforcement many times a year; it also provides for permanent incarceration of offenders deemed a continual threat to society.  This law was named for Adam Walsh, the murdered son of ''America's Most Wanted'' host [[John Walsh]].<ref>Author unknown, "[http://rpc.senate.gov/_files/L49HR4427ChldprotBB072006.pdf#search='H.R.%204472' HR 4472--Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006]", ''Legislative Notice'' 49, July 20, 2006. Published by [[Republican]] Policy Committee ([[United States Senate]]), [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[John Kyl]] ([[Republican|R]]-[[Arizona|AZ]]), chairman. Retrieved April 29, 2997. Requires PDF reader.</ref>  

The current trend towards punishment of offenders has been longer prison sentences, and upon release mandatory registration as a sex offender.  Legislation signed into law by President George Bush on July 27, 2006 mandates the requirement for offenders to update their whereabouts with law enforcement many times a year; it also provides for permanent incarceration of offenders deemed a continual threat to society.  This law was named for Adam Walsh, the murdered son of ''America's Most Wanted'' host [[John Walsh]].<ref>Author unknown, "[http://rpc.senate.gov/_files/L49HR4427ChldprotBB072006.pdf#search='H.R.%204472' HR 4472--Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006]", ''Legislative Notice'' 49, July 20, 2006. Published by [[Republican]] Policy Committee ([[United States Senate]]), [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[John Kyl]] ([[Republican|R]]-[[Arizona|AZ]]), chairman. Retrieved April 29, 2997. Requires PDF reader.</ref>  

In Florida, individuals convicted of a sexual crime against a child under the age of 11 receive a minimum 25 years in prison, followed by electronic monitoring for the remainder of their lives when released.<ref> Authors unknown,  "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/02/national/main692465.shtml Fla. Gets Tough New Child-Sex Law]", ''CBS News'', May 2, 2005. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

In Florida, individuals convicted of a sexual crime against a child under the age of 11 receive a minimum 25 years in prison, followed by electronic monitoring for the remainder of their lives when released.<ref>Authors unknown,  "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/02/national/main692465.shtml Fla. Gets Tough New Child-Sex Law]", ''CBS News'', May 2, 2005. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

Punishments often continue to be administered in prison, as child molesters are "marked" by other inmates for beatings or death.

Punishments often continue to be administered in prison, as child molesters are "marked" by other inmates for beatings or death.

The state of Vermont has come under fire recently for being a "safe haven" for child molesters who wish for lenient or no punishment for their actions.  In one recent case, Judge Edward Cashman sentenced one such individual to 60 days in jail; the man involved, Mark Hulett, had molested a girl for four years, beginning from the age of 6. <ref>Authors unknown, [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,181498,00.html Light Sentence for Child Molester Leaves Vermont Judge Under Fire]", ''Associated Press'', January 12, 2006. Retrieved April 29, 2007, from ''[http://www.foxnews.com/ Fox News Home]''.</ref>

The state of Vermont has come under fire recently for being a "safe haven" for child molesters who wish for lenient or no punishment for their actions.  In one recent case, Judge Edward Cashman sentenced one such individual to 60 days in jail; the man involved, Mark Hulett, had molested a girl for four years, beginning from the age of 6.<ref>Authors unknown, [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,181498,00.html Light Sentence for Child Molester Leaves Vermont Judge Under Fire]", ''Associated Press'', January 12, 2006. Retrieved April 29, 2007, from ''[http://www.foxnews.com/ Fox News Home]''.</ref>

==Cases of child molesting==

==Cases of child molesting==

Kenneth John Freeman, a former deputy sheriff from the state of Washington, allegedly raped his own daughter and had the event videotaped and posted on the internet.  He posted bond of $50,000 in November, 2005, but fled the country before his trial date in March, 2006.  He was arrested in Hong Kong on May 2, 2007, during an escape attempt in which he had learned that Chinese authorities were given information on him by United States Marshals, as well as a recent profile on ''America's Most Wanted''.  His victim has since become an advocate against child sexual abuse. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269644,00.html]

Kenneth John Freeman, a former deputy sheriff from the state of Washington, allegedly raped his own daughter and had the event videotaped and posted on the internet.  He posted bond of $50,000 in November, 2005, but fled the country before his trial date in March, 2006.  He was arrested in Hong Kong on May 2, 2007, during an escape attempt in which he had learned that Chinese authorities were given information on him by United States Marshals, as well as a recent profile on ''America's Most Wanted''.  His victim has since become an advocate against child sexual abuse. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269644,00.html]

The [[Roman Catholic Church]] has had a history of problems with cloistered child abusers among its clergy.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1963716.stm Catholic child abuse fears widen]", ''BBC-Asia-Pacific'', British Broadcasting Corporation, May 2, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2007.</ref> While Pope [[John Paul II]] was seen in some quarters as reluctant to address the scandal, his successor [[Benedict XVI]] has publicly acknowledged the Vatican's mishandling of the issue<ref>http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425822/1721305</ref>. In a recent trip to the United States Benedict spoke before bishops at Washington's National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception:

The [[Roman Catholic Church]] has had a history of problems with cloistered child abusers among its clergy.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1963716.stm Catholic child abuse fears widen]", ''BBC-Asia-Pacific'', British Broadcasting Corporation, May 2, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2007.</ref> While Pope [[John Paul II]] was seen in some quarters as reluctant to address the scandal, his successor [[Benedict XVI]] has publicly acknowledged the Vatican's mishandling of the issue.<ref>http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425822/1721305</ref> In a recent trip to the United States Benedict spoke before bishops at Washington's National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception:

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

Polly Klaas, a 12 year-old girl from Petaluma, California, was kidnapped at knife point on October 1, 1993, while hosting a slumber party at her home; she was later found strangled, and an autopsy determined she had been raped.  Arrested in the case was Richard Allen Davis, who led police to the body.  Davis had a lengthy criminal history, including burglary and kidnapping; the Klaas murder earned him a spot on California's death row.<ref>Denise Noe, "[http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/klaas/1.html All About Polly Klaas and Richard Allan Davis]", ''Crime Library'', retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref><ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.cnn.com/US/9609/26/davis.klass/ Killer of Polly Klaas sentenced to death]", ''CNN Interactive'', September 26, 1996. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

Polly Klaas, a 12 year-old girl from Petaluma, California, was kidnapped at knife point on October 1, 1993, while hosting a slumber party at her home; she was later found strangled, and an autopsy determined she had been raped.  Arrested in the case was Richard Allen Davis, who led police to the body.  Davis had a lengthy criminal history, including burglary and kidnapping; the Klaas murder earned him a spot on California's death row.<ref>Denise Noe, "[http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/klaas/1.html All About Polly Klaas and Richard Allan Davis]", ''Crime Library'', retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref><ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.cnn.com/US/9609/26/davis.klass/ Killer of Polly Klaas sentenced to death]", ''CNN Interactive'', September 26, 1996. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

John Evander Couey, a 46 year-old sex offender registered with the state of Florida, was charged with capitol murder, sexual battery, and assault on 9 year-old Jessica Lunsford, who was kidnapped from her home in Homasassa on February 24, 2005.  Couey was assisted in evading police by family members with whom he shared a home, and indications are they may have helped him in committing the crime or covering it up.  An autopsy determined Lunsford was buried alive, still clutching a stuffed blue dolphin that her father had given her.<ref>Anthony Brune, "[http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/jessica_lunsford/1_index.html Jessica Lunsford child abducted and murdered by repeat sex offender John Couey]", ''Crime Library'', retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref> Couey's act helped pass "[[Jessica's Law]]", in which individuals convicted of a sexual crime against a child under the age of 11 would receive a minimum 25 years in prison, followed by electronic monitoring for the remainder of their lives when released.  The law was signed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush on May 2, 2005.<ref> Authors unknown,  "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/02/national/main692465.shtml Fla. Gets Tough New Child-Sex Law]", ''CBS News'', May 2, 2005. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

John Evander Couey, a 46 year-old sex offender registered with the state of Florida, was charged with capitol murder, sexual battery, and assault on 9 year-old Jessica Lunsford, who was kidnapped from her home in Homasassa on February 24, 2005.  Couey was assisted in evading police by family members with whom he shared a home, and indications are they may have helped him in committing the crime or covering it up.  An autopsy determined Lunsford was buried alive, still clutching a stuffed blue dolphin that her father had given her.<ref>Anthony Brune, "[http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/jessica_lunsford/1_index.html Jessica Lunsford child abducted and murdered by repeat sex offender John Couey]", ''Crime Library'', retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref> Couey's act helped pass "[[Jessica's Law]]", in which individuals convicted of a sexual crime against a child under the age of 11 would receive a minimum 25 years in prison, followed by electronic monitoring for the remainder of their lives when released.  The law was signed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush on May 2, 2005.<ref>Authors unknown,  "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/02/national/main692465.shtml Fla. Gets Tough New Child-Sex Law]", ''CBS News'', May 2, 2005. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

==Precautions against molestation==

==Precautions against molestation==

<references/>

<references/>

==External Links==

==External links==

If anyone suspects someone engaged in child molesting, contact your local law enforcement agency, county sheriff, state or provincial police, or one of the following links:

If anyone suspects someone engaged in child molesting, contact your local law enforcement agency, county sheriff, state or provincial police, or one of the following links:

*[http://www.amw.com/ America's Most Wanted]

*[http://www.amw.com/ America's Most Wanted]

*[http://www.fbifingerprintchecks.com/index.html National Foundation to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse]

*[http://www.fbifingerprintchecks.com/index.html National Foundation to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse]

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[Megan's Law]]

*[[Megan's Law]]

*[[Jessica's Law]]

*[[Jessica's Law]]