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NOTE:
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Offender Solutions Network.
The following is
a sample letter, under 500 words that will fit on one and a half pages,
depending on the font you choose to use.
Simply cut, and past to your word processor, change the address fields, salutation,
and signature and send to your elected representatives. Don’t forget to follow up with a phone call
and schedule your one on one meeting.
This
Is Your-Name
678-321-7654
Letter
Recipient (i.e. Senator Steve Thompson)
1234-A
State Capitol
404-656-4321
Dear
Senator Letter-Recipient,
In
anticipation of you vote on (cite the bill number here), there are several
points, which you should be aware of.
According to ATSA (Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers),
adult sex offenders are not as portrayed in the media. The ATSA web site (http://www.atsa.com/ppOffenderFacts.html)
gives the following information; I quote:
Sexual
offending, like many mental and medical conditions, cannot be cured, however
contemporary cognitive behavioral treatment, helps offenders learn to control
their behavior. By recognizing and changing
the thoughts that rationalize and justify sexually abusive behavior, sex
offenders can become more aware of the harm caused to victims and view their
own behavior differently.
Treatment
has been found to decrease sex offense recidivism. Statistically sophisticated studies with
extremely large combined samples have found that cognitive-behavioral treatment
does reduce rates of sexual reoffending by as much as 40% (Hanson, Gordon,
Harris, Marques, Murphy, Quinsey, & Seto, 2002). It is estimated that treatment of sex
offenders costs taxpayers about $5,000 per year, incarceration costs more than
$20,000 per year per offender (www.csom.org).
Research
by the US Dept. of Justice and the Canadian Government have found those who
comply with probation and treatment have lower reoffense rates that those who
violate the conditions of their release.
Although extensive media attention is paid to child abductions, such
cases occur relatively rarely, and less than 1% of sex crimes involve
murder. Despite myths of stranger
danger, the vast majorities of sexually abused children (80-90%) are molested
by family members and close friends or acquaintances.
There
is no research to support the idea that residence restrictions prevent repeat
sex crimes. In Minnesota, proximity to
schools or parks was not a factor in recidivism, nor did it impact community
safety (Minnesota DOC,2003). In fact,
the opposite was found to be true -- a sex offender was more likely to travel
to another neighborhood in which he could seek victims without being
recognized.
Public
Policy should be used to strengthen, not replace, efforts designed to prevent
sexual abuse. Emotionally charged
reactions to sex crimes often lead to legislation that is not driven by data or
science but rather by outrage and fear.
Lawmakers and citizens should advocate for research-based social
policies that protect women and children as well as rehabilitate perpetrators.
I
plan on scheduling a visit to discuss this vital issue for our community and
families. In the meantime, more
information can be found at sosnet.bravehost.com.
Sincerely
yours,
Your
Name
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