August 31, 2009 4:05 PM
Learning Lessons From Jaycee's Ordeal
Robin Sax, a former Los Angeles County deputy district attorney and the author of "Predators and Child Molesters" stopped by The Early Show Monday to talk about sexual predators and what lessons parents and children can learn from the Jaycee Lee Dugard kidnapping ordeal.
Sax says there are about 500,000 registered sex offenders out there. "That's only the people that are actually registered. Those aren't the people who are sex offenders who have yet to be convicted or awaiting trial or have never everyone been arrested. So the numbers are a little misleading," she explained.
Sax said about 100,000 sex offenders actually slip through the cracks, failing to register. "Those are ones who aren't keeping up with what they're supposed to do who aren't registering or maintaining their address."
"Parents are probably panicking right now hearing these numbers. What's the first step a parent should take to keep their kids safe?" co-anchor Julie Chen asked.
"As I mention in my book, I talk about how we should take advantage of teachable moments. We should look at an opportunity, a silver lining, if you will, in the case of Jaycee Dugard, and remember that we really need to have the safety conversations with our kids all the time. But in addition, the registered sex offender list is something that everybody can access. It's free, it's easy, you can Google 'sex offender' and it's right there and look by address. And everyone should look to see who is living in their neighborhood, who is living near their schools, who is living near their grandparents' homes or caretakers' homes and not just look at the list as, okay, these are people that exist, but actually go into the list, take a glance at the picture, be familiar with who you may be looking for, but also look at the crime for which they're convicted," Sax explained.
Jaycee Dugard Trust Fund
Carl Probyn
c/o Viewtech Financial Services
PO Box 596
Atwood, CA 92811
"Many times the registry will have on the list, what is actually the case in Phillip Garrido's situation, that it was listed that he had been convicted in a prior case for kidnap and for on rape. And if you have that rape there, this is something different than just unlawful sex or statutory rape situation. This is someone who is a violent predator that we should know about," she added.
What should you tell your child he or she should do if someone tries to kidnap them?
"Exactly what Jaycee did do, the screaming and kicking is definitely something you want to do," Sax said. "You want to do something to put off the attackers. Yell for help. But not just help with the word 'help,' but use the word 'fire.' And at all costs to try not to get into the car if at all possible. Everything's about buying time, not necessarily winning the fight. It's giving you a moment maybe gouging out with keys or using your fingers or taking an elbow to push someone away just to buy that couple extra seconds to run away."
Sax says there are about 500,000 registered sex offenders out there. "That's only the people that are actually registered. Those aren't the people who are sex offenders who have yet to be convicted or awaiting trial or have never everyone been arrested. So the numbers are a little misleading," she explained.
Sax said about 100,000 sex offenders actually slip through the cracks, failing to register. "Those are ones who aren't keeping up with what they're supposed to do who aren't registering or maintaining their address."
"Parents are probably panicking right now hearing these numbers. What's the first step a parent should take to keep their kids safe?" co-anchor Julie Chen asked.
"As I mention in my book, I talk about how we should take advantage of teachable moments. We should look at an opportunity, a silver lining, if you will, in the case of Jaycee Dugard, and remember that we really need to have the safety conversations with our kids all the time. But in addition, the registered sex offender list is something that everybody can access. It's free, it's easy, you can Google 'sex offender' and it's right there and look by address. And everyone should look to see who is living in their neighborhood, who is living near their schools, who is living near their grandparents' homes or caretakers' homes and not just look at the list as, okay, these are people that exist, but actually go into the list, take a glance at the picture, be familiar with who you may be looking for, but also look at the crime for which they're convicted," Sax explained.
Carl Probyn
c/o Viewtech Financial Services
PO Box 596
Atwood, CA 92811
"Many times the registry will have on the list, what is actually the case in Phillip Garrido's situation, that it was listed that he had been convicted in a prior case for kidnap and for on rape. And if you have that rape there, this is something different than just unlawful sex or statutory rape situation. This is someone who is a violent predator that we should know about," she added.
What should you tell your child he or she should do if someone tries to kidnap them?
"Exactly what Jaycee did do, the screaming and kicking is definitely something you want to do," Sax said. "You want to do something to put off the attackers. Yell for help. But not just help with the word 'help,' but use the word 'fire.' And at all costs to try not to get into the car if at all possible. Everything's about buying time, not necessarily winning the fight. It's giving you a moment maybe gouging out with keys or using your fingers or taking an elbow to push someone away just to buy that couple extra seconds to run away."
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