WHY ARE MINORITIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEMS DISCRIMINATE AGAINST?

Why are minorities in the state of Florida child protection systems discriminate against?

Why are minorities in the state of Florida child protection systems discriminate against?

Abstract

Florida has statutorily authorized Child Protection Teams (CPTs) that are required to assist in certain cases of child abuse. The purpose of the program is to aid the child protective investigation activities of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or designated sheriffs' offices by providing multidisciplinary assessment services to children and families involved in child abuse and neglect investigations. (Snyder, Check, and Koop, 2005)

Respected sir,

Sex offender registration and public notification laws vary from state-to-state. Registration laws are intended to assist law enforcement officials in identifying potential suspects. Public notification laws are intended to warn the public about dangerous individuals. These laws have been in place for several years in some states (e.g., Washington), and have recently been adopted in all states after the passage of Megan's law at the federal level in 1996. Currently, at least 32 states have registration laws for juveniles under age 18, however, only 6 states have legislated separate registration laws for juveniles and adults. The 6 states that have a separate registration law for juveniles are: Arkansas, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. (Marshall, W.L., Jones, R., Ward, T., Johnston, P. & Bambaree, H.E. 1991)

Sex Offender Registration - The 1994 Jacob Wetterling Act requires the States to register individuals convicted of sex crimes against children. Sex offender registration laws are necessary because:

* Sex offenders pose a high risk of re-offending after release from custody;

* Protecting the public from sex offenders is a primary governmental interest;

* The privacy interests of persons convicted of sex offenses are less important than the government's interest in public safety;

* Release of certain information about sex offenders to public agencies and the general public will assist in protecting the public safety.

Community Notification - Megan's Law allows the States discretion to establish criteria for disclosure, but compels them to make private and personal information on registered sex offenders available to the public. Community notification:

* Assists law enforcement in investigations; (Marshall, W.L., Jones, R., Ward, T., Johnston, P. & Bambaree, H.E. 1991)

* Establishes legal grounds to hold known offenders;

* Deters sex offenders from committing new offenses;

* Offers citizens information they can use to protect children from victimization.

Our interactive Megan's Law map provides Internet access to better serve America's evolving, fast paced, transient society. Young parents considering day care providers or businesses and organizations whose employees or volunteers have unsupervised access to children require this critical information so that they can make informed choices based on the best information available.

In order to remain current and maintain relevance we ask the public to provide updated information that we may have overlooked, including new, broken or invalid web links so that the KlaasKids Foundation can continue to be the Internet's premiere Megan's Law destination. (Snyder, Check, and Koop, 2005)

Each child protection team functions under the direction and ...