Sex Offender Information

A sex offender is any person who resides, works or attends an institution of higher learning in the Commonwealth and who has been convicted of a sex offense, or who has been adjudicated as a youthful offender or as a delinquent juvenile by reason of a sex offense, or a person released from incarceration or parole or probation supervision or custody with the department of youth services for such a conviction or adjudication, or a person who has been adjudicated a sexually dangerous person or a person released from civil commitment on or after August 1, 1981.

The Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) classifies sex offenders based on dangerousness to the public and likelihood of re-offense. The classification determines where and how a sex offender must register, whether the public can see the sex offender’s information, and whether the local police actively distribute the information to the community:

• No duty to register: The evidence indicates there is no risk of re-offense and no danger to the public. All information about the offender is removed from the Sex Offender Registry. By law, certain sex offenders, such as those convicted of sexually violent offenses, are excluded from this option.
• Level 1: The evidence indicates a low risk. Level 1 sex offenders can submit their annual registrations by mail to the SORB. Information about Level 1 sex offenders is not available to the public.
• Level 2: The evidence indicates a moderate risk. Level 2 sex offenders must re-register each year in person at their local police station. Information about Level 2 offenders is available at local police departments or from the Sex Offender Registry Board. Anyone wanting the information must request it in person, or by mail.
• Level 3: The evidence indicates high risk. Level 3 sex offenders must re-register each year in person at their local police station. Information about Level 3 offenders is available at police stations, from the SORB, and on the Internet. In addition, police departments actively distribute this information to the community.

Sex Offender Registry Information shall not be used to commit a crime or to engage in Illegal discrimination or harassment of an offender. Any person who uses information disclosed pursuant to M.G.L.c. 6 § 178C178P for such purposes shall be punished by not more than 2 ½ years in the house of correction or by fine of not more than $1,000 or both (M.G.L.c. 6 § 178N). In addition, any person who uses registry information to threaten to commit a crime may be punished by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months. (M.G.L.c. 275 § 4).

Resources for Parents

A Parents Guide For Preventing Child Abduction (All information below is Credited to the Haverhill Police Department)

Taking a proactive approach to the problem of abduction is the way to help prevent this from happening to someone you care about. Here are some of the proactive things that you can do:

• Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior. Find out what is causing the changes and address them.
• Be alert to anyone paying too much undue attention to a child. This might include a teenager as well as an adult.
• Know where your child is at all times and who they are associating with. Communicate with your child openly and freely.
• Make sure that your child understands that they are to never accept gifts from people they do not know.
• Your child should understand that no one should ever approach them and touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or uneasy. They need to know that it is sometimes all right to say NO to an adult.
• Children should feel comfortable approaching and talking with parents and teachers regarding any problems. They should be told that if they ever are approached, they should immediately tell their parents, teachers, or a person in authority.
• Children should understand that if they ever get separated from their parents they should not wander around. Let the parents find them.
• If a child gets lost and needs assistance, they should be taught to find a person in authority.
• A child should ask a parent’s or teacher’s permission to leave a yard or play area BEFORE they leave.
• They should NEVER get into a car or vehicle without a parent’s ok.
• They should immediately run away from anyone following them on foot or in a vehicle.
• Children must be taught that it is NOT ok for someone to tell them to keep a special secret.

Child molesters and abductors usually look like everyday people. Tell your children not to talk to adults they do not know. Anytime they are approached by an adult they should check with a parent or trusted adult immediately.