If you live in Texas, do you know how many sex offenders are located in your local neighborhood?

If not, you can find this information for free through the Texas Sex Offender Registration Program.

https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/SorNew/index.aspx

Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 62.005, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) establishes this website [TxDPS Sex Offender Registry] as the official internet public access to the DPS sex offender registration computerized central database.

All information on individual registrants is based on registration information submitted by Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Youth Commission, or various local criminal justice agencies….

All information provided through this website is open record. It may be used by anyone for any purpose….

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While the official count is constantly changing, according to this website, the following lists show the approximate numbers of registered sex offenders living in Dallas and ten of the northern Dallas suburbs at this time:

Allen Texas          40
Carrollton Texas          93
Dallas Texas          2482
Farmers Branch Texas          15
Flower Mound          18
Frisco Texas          22
Garland Texas          280
Lewisville Texas          68
Plano Texas          118
Richardson Texas          31
The Colony Texas          22

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Those numbers are absolutely staggering!!!

Dallas Texas and 10 northern suburbs of Dallas are currently reporting approximately 3189 registered sex offenders.

That’s 3189 sex offenders within less than one hour drive from each other.

Plus, we know that most sex offenders are not caught immediately, and we know that over 30% of the children abused do not disclose their abuse to anyone.

Consequences of child sexual abuse begin affecting children and families immediately. They also affect society in innumerable and negative ways. These effects can continue throughout the life of the survivor so the impact on society for just one survivor continues over multiple decades. Try to imagine the impact of 39 million survivors.

(http://www.darkness2light.org/KnowAbout/statistics_2.asp)

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Do you know what to do to protect your children from being a victim of sexual crimes?

It is imperative that all parents of young children learn more about how to protect their children.  Remember, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse is:

  • 1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18
  • 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18

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Sexual predators rely on parents not knowing, not caring, or not believing their children.  As a society, we can undermine the manipulative power of these violent offenders by preparing ahead of time and actively learning more about preventive safety and protection.

I strongly encourage all parents to make it a priority to learn more about ways to protect your children from the horrors of sexual abuse.  With education, and attention, you can make a significant difference in the lives of your children.

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If you live in the northern Dallas Texas area, and you would like more information or assistance with these issues, please contact Kathy Broady LCSW or www.AbuseConsultants.com .