Senator Flanagan And Parents For Megan's Law To Host Sex Abuse Seminar

In an effort to help parents protect their children from sexual abuse, Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) is joining with Parents for Megan’s Law to host a sex abuse seminar in Commack. The seminar will be held at the Commack High School on March 23 beginning at 7:00 p.m. located at One Scholar Lane.

The "Apple of my Eye" program was developed by Parents for Megan’s Law and is based on the work of Executive Director Laura Ahearn. During the seminar, parents will be able to learn the 10 Rules for Safety to teach their children, the 11 Red Flags to detect inappropriate behavior, the 27 traps sexual predators use to access children and the physical and behavioral signs of sexual abuse.

Parents For Megan's Law is a not-for-profit national community and victim's rights organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of childhood sexual abuse by providing education, advocacy, counseling, policy and legislative support services.

The organization was instrumental in working with Senator Flanagan to gain passage of lifetime registration for sexual predators. In an agreement announced in January, offenders who are ranked as level two or level three offenders will now be required to register on the Megan’s Law registry for life. Level one will be required to register for twenty years.

This change was necessary due to the fact that previous lawonly required a ten year registration period. Without this amendment, over 3,500 offenders would have dropped off the registry by the end of the current year.

"Enacting laws that will further strengthen the protections afforded our children is one of my top priorities as a state senator. This seminar will greatly enhance the effectiveness of these laws by educating the parents who comprise the first line of defense. Parents for Megan's Law has been a true advocate in this fight and I hope all parents will take advantage of this program," stated Senator Flanagan.

"Preventing child sexual abuse requires that we take a comprehensive approach that includes enacting strong laws and educating parents and children about what they can do to protect themselves from sexual predators," said Executive Director Ahearn. "Senator Flanagan’s commitment to child protection is demonstrated not only by his legislative successes but also by the proactive role he takes by coordinating safety forums such as these."

To learn more about Parents for Megan’s Law, to get information about upcoming sex abuse seminars and prevention or to get directions to Commack High School, please visit click here.