Prevention Notes: Online "Predators"
Online sexual predators are often depicted as aggressive individuals who select young victims on social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook and use deception to arrange a real-life meeting. Because of this perception, many secondary prevention strategies have cropped up to help keep children and adolescents safe online - most involve being wary of online acquaintances and limiting the amount of personal information that is available online.
While it may be a good idea for youth to withhold certain information from the Internet and exercise caution, new research indicates that most online predators do not lie or use trickery when presenting their identities or sexual intentions. Only 5% of online offenders pretend to be teenagers when communicating with victims, and they rarely conceal their sexual interest. Online "Predators" and Their Victims: Myths, Realities, and Implications for Prevention and Treatment (Wolak, Finkelhor, Mitchell, Ybarra) closely examines these realities of online offender behavior and discusses the implications for prevention and public policy.
CONNSACS Annual Meeting: April 30, 2009
The CONNSACS Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, April 30 at the Department of Public Safety in Middletown. The lunch meeting, which highlighted the recent accomplishments of CONNSACS and its nine member programs, featured two guest speakers and a special viewing of the “One Thing” video. Guests also received copies of CONNSACS' Annual Report from the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year.
Guest speakers Donna Palomba and Neil O’Leary spoke about the importance of first responders and DNA evidence in sexual assault cases. In April of 2007, Donna Palomba founded Jane Doe No More, a national non-profit organization dedicated to shortening the time from crime to healing for sexual assault survivors. Donna’s story of surviving rape and the subsequent law enforcement response was featured in a two-hour show on Dateline NBC. Donna played an active role in passing a Connecticut bill that removed the statute of limitations on sexual assault crimes involving DNA evidence.
Former Waterbury Chief of Police Neil O’Leary, who
served as Police Chief from November 2004 until June
2009, was one of two police officers who came forward
to support Donna during her involvement with the
criminal justice system. As Chief of Police, he revised
the Waterbury Police Department’s policies and
procedures manual, consulting with Donna to revamp
the section on sexual assault response.
Neil O'Leary and Donna Palomba
Following Donna and Neil, guests at the Annual
Meeting were shown a special screening of the
“One Thing” Video, a two and a half minute public
service announcement in which survivors share
“one thing” about their experiences with sexual
violence. Many of the survivors featured in this
powerful video were able to attend the Annual
Meeting. CONNSACS remains grateful for their
courage and willingness to speak out.
CONNSACS Annual Meeting Guests
The meeting ended with Nancy Kushins, Executive Director of CONNSACS, recognizing each of our nine community-based rape crisis programs for the excellent work they have been doing on behalf of sexual assault survivors and their loved ones. Whether through innovative advocacy or top-notch community education, Connecticut’s rape crisis programs continue to earn their reputations of excellence.
Department of Correction Commissioner Lantz Jamie Mills, CONNSACS' retained counsel
and Chief State's Attorney Kevin Kane and Teresa Younger of PCSW
