Protecting children is our duty
By Staff
Rep. Ronald Grantland, Guest columnist
We see it in the news almost every day, a crime involving a child. Whether it is a teen lured by internet communication and kidnapped, a child sexually abused by a friend or relative, or even a child witnessing domestic violence at home, these tragedies happen far too often.
Crimes like these shock and anger us to the core because they involve children, the most vulnerable among us.
Being a crime victim at a young age can impact a child for life, and can lead to criminal activity and violence as adults. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designates June as Children's Awareness Month in order to focus on increasing awareness of the vulnerability of children to violence.
Alabama has already begun the fight of protecting those who cannot protect themselves.
Last summer, the legislature passed one of the country's toughest sex offender laws. The law, sponsored by Rep. Neal Morrison (D-Cullman), increases jail time from 10 to 20 years to keep the worst perpetrators off the streets.
The bill also increases jail time from two to 10 years for those who solicit a child by computer, commit first-degree sex abuse or possess child pornography. To track offenders once they leave jail, electronic tracking devices will be attached to their ankle for years after they are released, making sure they stay away from places like schools and playgrounds.
We must do whatever we can to stop these criminals from hurting someone else and to keep sex offenders away from children.
The State of Alabama sent a message to those who would harm children: we will find you, punish you harshly, and make sure that you don't do it again.
However, keeping our kids safe doesn't end with toughening the law against sexual predators. We must look at other ways to protect the children in our state, especially those who are at-risk. What better time to do so than National Children's Awareness Month?
First and foremost, we have to get kids out of situations where they are exposed to crime at an early age.
Unfortunately, not all children have an ideal childhood. Far too many grow up witnessing violence and domestic abuse on a daily basis. Studies have shown that children who witness violence at home display emotional and behavioral disturbances such as withdrawal, self-blame, low self-esteem, and aggression.
The Department of Human Resources and our state's foster parents do an amazing job, but still have less state help than they need. The state's child welfare system still has cracks where children fall through, and it needs to continually be strengthened.
Another way to help protect children and prevent future violence is with knowledge and a good education. With a record Education Budget, access to technology at an all-time high and test scores on the rise, we are well on our way to ensuring that every child in the state has access to a quality learning environment and ways to get off the streets.
