Protecting Our Children Using Megan's Law
Oakland Unifed School District, the Oakland Police Department and the
City Attorney are joining in a renewed effort, using Megan's Law, to help
protect the children of Oakland from molesters and abductors.
There are ways for parents and guardians to defend against people who
molest and hurt children. Molesters know how to get near children by being
friendly or giving toys and sweets or money. They are clever in getting
the child to do what they want - that is, to abuse the child sexually
or even to steal him or her away from you.
The molester often plays with the child when other adults are not around
and will encourage activities for just the two of them. The molester may
tell the child that a parent or pet will be killed if the secret sexual
activity is reported. It is important that the child feels safe to talk
about such experiences with the parent or guardian.
Safety Rules to Teach Your Child
It is best to tell your child these rules from an early age. Explain
that some adult behaviors are not okay. Teach young children to say a
strong "NO" to any adult who misbehaves. Tell your child not to speak
to strangers; also, it is important to remember that often the molester
is someone the child knows, like a relative, a neighbor, a teacher, or
a family friend. Sometimes the abuse happens in the home of the victim
child or of the abuser.
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Stay away from people who call to you from a car, even if the person
offers a "fun" experience or asks you for directions. If you go near
the car you may be grabbed and taken away.
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Don't go with an adult who says your parent or caretaker needs you
somewhere else. Check with your teacher or principal first. If someone
tries to take you away, YELL "this is not my father (or mother)" and
KEEP YELLING very loudly.
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If you get lost in a store, find another mom with kids or go to the
checkout counter right away. Do not wander around or go with a stranger.
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If someone tries to bother you, always tell your mom or dad or guardian.
They or your pets will not be hurt if you tell what happened.
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Don't let anyone touch you in the parts of your body that your bathing
suit covers. And you should not touch anyone else in those places
either. Don't be ashamed to tell if that happens.
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Don't let anyone take your picture outside of school unless your
mom, dad, or guardian says it's okay.
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Using Megan's Law: Obtaining Information
at www.meganslaw.ca.gov
In 1947 California implemented a sex offender registration program to
help keep track of persons convicted of certain sex crimes. Then in 1996,
California enacted Megan's Law, which, for the first time, provided the
public with photographs and descriptions of convicted sex offenders who
have registered their whereabouts with local law enforcement.
The California Attorney General's office has posted a website where
you may search the database by a sex offender's specific name, obtain
ZIP Code and city/county listings, obtain detailed personal profile information
on each registrant, and use our map application to search your neighborhood
or anywhere throughout the State to determine the specific location of
any of those registrants on whom the law allows us to display a home address.
Please read and acknowledged the disclaimer then you may proceed to the
database. The site can be reached by clicking here
> www. meganslaw.ca.gov
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Phone Numbers to Call for Information
and Help
Oakland Police Department Megan's Law: (510) 238-2191 or 238-2189
California Department of Justice Sex Offender Identification Line:
1-900-463-0400 ($10 charge)
Web Links for Information
Oakland Unified School District: www.ousd.k12.ca.us
Oakland Police Department: www.oaklandpolice.com
California Attorney General: www.meganslaw.ca.gov
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Multi-Lingual Information
The Office of the City Attorney has initiated Megan's Law Office Hours
to assist members of the public in navigating the Megan's Law website.
English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Mandarin speakers will be met by helpful
staff.
To download a PDF file with more information on Megan's Law in Spanish,
Chinese or Vietnamese, click on one of the links below.
Protecting Our Children Using Megan's Law: Safety Tips & How-to
Information
English | Espanol
| Chinese | Vietnamese
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