Posted on 03/06/2003 3:51:54 PM PST by HAL9000
Local Assemblymen Call for Measure Against Cyber Sex Predators
Assemblymen James Conte and Andrew Raia (R,C - East Northport) recently announced their support for a tough new measure designed to protect children from sex predators who use online chat rooms or prowl the streets in an attempt to lure young children into having sex.
"We need to crack down on criminals who prey upon women and children," Conte said. "More so, we must provide the tools law enforcement needs to keep dangerous criminals off the streets. Crimes now reflect the technology that has become commonplace in our society, and we need to ensure that we protect our families from these types of criminal activities."
Under the proposed legislation, new crimes of "luring" and "computer luring" would be established. "Luring" would address those who would entice children into a vehicle or secluded area with criminal intent, while "computer luring" would target offenders who would utilize the Internet to entice children for criminal activity. Both offenses would be classified as a felony, punishable by as much as seven years in state prison - as opposed to the current classification as a low-level misdemeanor - and could be charged in conjunction with other related offenses, such as rape or sexual assault.
"We need to send a clear message to sex predators, that they will be apprehended and punished, who choose to use online chat rooms or prowl the streets in an attempt to lure young children into having sex," Raia said.
Recent cases across the state prompted the creation of these new crimes. Most notable and widely publicized was the case of former UN weapons inspector and nighttime talk show regular W. Scott Ritter, who was charged with trying to arrange sexual liaisons with underage children through the Internet or by other means. However, the problem is even more widespread than an occasional case reported on the news.
Locally, a Long Island man was convicted of 63 counts of kidnapping, rape, sex abuse and other charges after using a computer chat to lure a 15-year-old Massachusetts girl to a shopping mall, then holding her hostage for weeks in, among other areas, a Farmingdale home. Another case is that of a middle-aged Long Island DJ, accused of enticing a 15-year-old boy to meet him in a desolate parking lot for sex. The list of abuses and crimes continues to grow, touching every community and all walks of life.
"Our laws must be changed to reflect changes in technology and the ways in which crimes are committed," Conte said. "It is important that we do everything in our power to protect New York's children. Safety is our major objective, and that requires a strong message of deterrence. These types of heinous crimes will not be tolerated."
Knowledge Network Know the Facts - Combat the Hacks
According to Conte and Raia, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children conducted a survey of 1,501 youths, ages 10 to 17, in 2002. Among the startling findings:
* One in five teens has received a sexual solicitation over the Internet in the last year
* Three percent of teens have received an aggressive sexual solicitation - offering to meet somewhere, called on the telephone, or received money or gifts
* One in four reported unwanted exposure to nude pictures or people engaged in sex
* Less than 10 percent of these approaches are reported to police
* 40 percent were reported to parents
The following are guidelines provided by the Assemblymen to keep children safe:
Parent Alert - Signs Your Child May Be at Risk
* Spends hours online, especially at night
* Places or receives calls from strangers
* Turns off monitor or quickly changes screens when you enter the room
* Receives mail, gifts or packages from strangers
* Becomes withdrawn from family
* Uses an online account belonging to someone else
Ways to Keep Your Child Safe Online
* Talk to your child about the dangers
* Spend time with your child online
* Keep the computer in a common room
* Utilize parental controls
* Maintain access to your child's account; check it often
* Tell your child: never arrange meetings or give personal information online
* Instruct your child never to upload pictures of themselves
* Explain the dangers of downloading pictures from an unknown source
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