Government Rejects Sarah's Law

In the Mid 1990s a law called Megan's Law was passed in the United States. This law gave all parents access to information on sex-offenders living within their community, the law was named after Megan Kanko a 7 year old who was murdered by a known sex-offender who lived in her street.

The murder of Sarah Payne by a known sex-offender in 2000 prompted a call for a similar law to be introduced in the UK called Sarah's Law. The UK government has rejected demands for this new law and will continue to prevent public access to the sex offenders' register.

Martin Narey, Barnardo's Chief Executive, said: 'I understand why this is attractive to parents but it gives them false comfort. We are quite certain that this will put children in more danger.
'There are already sound and workable arrangements whereby, for example, head teachers are made aware of the proximity of sex offenders. But a more general arrangement where anyone can be told there are sex offenders in their area will, inevitably, lead to them fleeing supervision.
'Our only concern is the welfare of children. We know that dangerous sex offenders need constant and intensive supervision, in Barnardo's view, with the added use of polygraphy and satellite tracking. Offenders who flee from supervision and go underground - a sure consequence if these measures are introduced - will become extremely dangerous'.

Your Views

Posted by: JoanW Posts: 38 From: Wapping London		Sarah's Law I think it is disgusting. I want to protect my children and I think I should be able to see if a paedophile is living in my area

	Posted: 12/Apr/07 at 7:28:25

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