Panel of sex offenders to field questions

3-27-2011 Indiana:

The event on March 30 will focus on how to reduce the risk of child abuse and rehabilitate sex offenders.

MUNCIE -- Parents and community members this month will get a unique opportunity to listen first-hand to sex offenders talk about how to reduce the risk of abuse.

The Sex Abuse Prevention Community Education Workshop is 6:30-9:30 p.m. March 30 at the Ivy Tech Community College Patterson Building, 108 S. Walnut St.

Organizer Robert Jesiolowski, a licensed social worker from Family Service Society Inc. in Marion, said a panel of six to eight recovering sex offenders will answer questions from the audience.

Nothing is off limits, he said, although he urged questioners to be respectful.

"I hope people understand these are the guys that stepped forward, took responsibility for their actions and are trying to change," he said.
Some of the presentation will focus on how to treat and rehabilitate sex offenders, and some of it will focus on how to protect children from sex offenders.

Protecting children from sex abuse can be difficult because the offenders are usually someone the victim loves and trusts. Furthermore, Jesiolowski said, it is impossible to identify sex offenders through their characteristics or personality traits.

During similar events in the past, offenders have told audience members the best thing they can do is talk to their children and pay attention to their children.

"Don't look the other way," Jesiolowski said. "If something doesn't look right, confront it."

Seating is limited to 100, and participants should register in advance by email or phone by contacting Kim Burns at the Department of Child Services at 213-6926 or kimberly.burns2@dcs.in.gov. ..Source.. by NICK WERNER