| Jessica's |
| Law Now North Carolina! |
"The violation of children and the sexual exploitation of minors is an increasingly serious problem in our society." ~U.S. Attorney Gretchen Shappert |
We have seen many news stories telling of a child suffering at the hands of a sex offender, when it
could have been prevented, this should be galvanizing our law makers, to enact. Think, this could
have been your child, just imagine the anguish any parent would have to live with, if this happened to
them. One such parent that suffered this horrible anguish was Mark Lunsford. His daughter, Jessica
Lunsford the 9-year-old girl had been sexually abused, kidnapped, and buried alive in Florida.
Jessica Lunsford came from Gaston County, North Carolina before moving to Florida. In the loving
memory of Mark Lunsford’s daughter Jessica, a law has been introduced to enforce stricter laws
pertaining to sex offenders called Jessica’s Law.
On April 16, 2008, Mark Lunsford told Jessica’s Law Now North Carolina, “What happened to
my daughter should have never happened, and I'm working to make sure it doesn't happen to
another child. It saddens me to know my home state of North Carolina has not yet passed
Jessie's Law. I won't rest until we do.”
We need our local and state officials still push for stronger laws for molestation. North Carolina still
does not have strong enough punishment for molestation of minors and Jessica’s Law would ensure
this. Sex offenders are moving toward states that have loose judgments in their laws, as North
Carolina.
"We should all work together to make sure that Jessica's Law is passed in all fifty states. There
are presently 18 states or so that have not yet passed any form of Jessica's Law, it saddens me
to think that my home state of Tennessee and North Carolina where I grew up are included in
the list of states that have not passed Jessica's Law. I do not know why, but I intend to find
out." God Bless, Charlie Daniels
Since Charlie Daniels made this statement in 2007, laws have become stricter in Tennessee for sex
offenders. Tennessee now has a version of Jessica's Law. North Carolina is one of several states that
has not step up to the plate for Jessica's Law. We hope that changes soon!
Taking a non-political stand various individuals, groups and organizations have formed an action
group called, “Jessica’s Law Now North Carolina.” The Group formed in response to apathetic
lawmakers, who are dithering about Jessica’s Law rather than making a solid difference toward
protecting our children. This formed coalition is tired of all the prolonging games and excuses our
lawmakers, have made when it comes to our children.
The laws pertaining to Sex Offenders has been lacking in North Carolina. Still, North Carolina
state lawmakers and officials' priorities lack the necessary emphasis for stricter guidelines pertaining
to North Carolina Sex Offenders. Our children are not Democratic or Republican; they are children
and should be innocent and free. These days, children cannot play outside nor do anything without
close supervision; parents are in fear of them being abducted. Many situations have occurred
through out North Carolina, where Individuals that commit sexual crimes abducted children; these
crimes against children need to be stopped. These individuals require incarceration and strict
comprehensive monitoring.
North Carolina has many sex offenders, who have fallen through the cracks. By sex offenders
changing their identity and not re-registering once moved, these offenders manipulate the system.
This has been an on going problem through out North Carolina often; administration has failed to
let law enforcement know of the placement of paroled sex offenders in their communities. Allowing
violent sex offenders to go free and not providing mandatory hearings, stricter penalties for non-
compliance, has allowed dangerous parolees to remain free, even after they violated parole.
Psychological damage inflicted on a defenseless child lasts a lifetime, if they survive. Sexual predators
are always looking for their next victim.
Word to all you parents, “Awareness is your best defense.”
Each year, almost 1 million American children experience abuse and neglect. Approximately 1400
of those children are killed each year from abuse, more than three-quarters of fatalities because of
abuse involve children younger than 4 years old. Each week, child protective services agencies in
the United States receive more than 50,000 reports of child abuse or neglect, and annually, nearly
900,000 of these cases substantiated.
In 2006-2007, North Carolina had 111,000 children reported Abused and Neglected. Data shows
children in North Carolina are abused or neglected every 15 minutes and that actual sexual abuse of
children are 15 times greater than officially reported in North Carolina.
Presently, 10,000 registered Sex Offenders move to a new address or jobs daily. Children, women,
elderly, incapacitated or handicapped people are especially at risk from sexual predators. Charlotte,
Greensboro and Raleigh are no different; each city has a large number of registered sexual offenders.
North Carolina has 13,900 sex offenders register and with a population of 8,227 in thousand, it
comes to 1,689.6 per million. Remember that this does not count un-register sex offenders in
North Carolina.
Basic Statistics:
1. 95% of children that are molested know and trust their molester.
2. 90% of sex crimes are committed against someone the perpetrator knows.
3. 20% of girls and 17% of boys are molested before their 18th birthday.
Sexual Abuse of Children by the Internet:
1. 1 in five children solicited on line.
2. 50 thousand predators are on line.
3. Web sites that exploit children are a $57 Billion Dollar Industry.
What it took get Jessica's Law:
In past years, we voiced our outrage to North Carolina lawmakers for failing to provide stricter laws
against sex offenders. We are disgusted with the lack of support from members of the North Carolina
General Assembly and our North Carolina Governor Mike Easley.
Governor Easley's office made it clear. In all their correspondences of last two years, North Carolina has
strict laws for sex offenders. If that is the case Governor Easley, why are sex offenders and repeat
offenders still able to victimize children of North Carolina?
These individuals should be ashamed of themselves for not protecting our children; they rather play the
game of being Politically Correct.
Time has come to take a stand and voice you are outrage to our North Carolina General Assembly and
North Carolina Governor Mike Easley. Tell our state leaders we need House Bill 933, Jessica Lunsford Act
aka. Jessica's Law passed!
June 11, 2008 a new harsher version of HB 933, Jessica Lunsford Act aka. Jessica’s Law has passed the
N.C. Senate. This harsher version of HB 933 was sent to J II Committee in the N.C. House. Various
members of the J II Committee had problems with the additions that the N.C. Senate added to HB 933.
North Carolina Representative Dan Blue Chairman of Judiciary II Committee felt that a sub-committee
should try to work out these differences. North Carolina Representative Rick Glazier named Chairman over
this Sub Committee.
Sub Committee met several times and had many discussions regarding the reasons for allowing sex
offenders on school grounds and their rights. North Carolina Representative Jennifer Weiss was more
concerned over rights of sex offenders than the victims. The Sub Committee ran into other dilemmas such
as; sentencing, structure of wording in the bill and wanting to make changes to what the North Carolina
House passed originally with HB 933.
Sub Committee reported to the J II Committee and they agreed to Report Unfavorable Concurrent and to
Cal Pursuant Rule 36 (b). This allowed the North Carolina House to vote and HB 933 failed.
On July 7, 2008, N.C. House Appointed Bill Conferees (Committee). This group met discussed the select
problems of wording and concern of various rights for sex offenders. An agreement was reached and the
language changes were added.
On July 8, 2008, N.C. Senate Appointed Bill Conferees (Committee). The group received the changes and
there was an understanding that HB 933 completed with N.C. House by Thursday, July 10, 2008.
For the next several days, a cat and mouse game occurred and HB 933 was in the middle.
For three weeks, members of Jessica's Law Now North Carolina attended every meeting and did
everything we could to assist in getting HB 933 passed through the legislation. Various members that were
in Raleigh for the three weeks paid for all their personal cost.
Finally, the North Carolina House moved forward and HB 933 and a vote occurred.
Thursday, July 18, 2008 both North Carolina Senate and North Carolina House approved HB 933. North
Carolina Senate unanimously voted yes to pass HB 933; the North Carolina House only had one negative
vote. It is now up to Governor Mike Easley sign HB 933 aka. Jessica's Law.
"One of the proudest moments in my life was being able to call Mark Lunsford tell him the North Carolina
Legislators have passed HB 933 aka. Jessica's Law," said Mark A. Palmer Director of Jessica's Law Now
North Carolina.
Mark Lunsford was glad and overjoyed to receive the news.
Monday, July 28, 2008, Governor Mike Easley sign HB 933 Jessica Lunsford Act of North Carolina aka.
Jessica’s Law. This major event took place at Council Chamber at City Hall,181 S Street, in Gastonia, N.C.
at 2:00 p.m. North Carolina has truly honor Jessica Lunsford now.
Jessica’s Law Now North Carolina is very grateful for all the hard work the Representatives did from: Julia
Howard, Tim Moore, Debra Clary, State Senator David W. Hoyle, State Senator Tony Rand, as well as all
the co-sponsors of this Bill.
What about other states that do not have Jessica's Law and required 25 year mandatory sentencing. As a
nation we need to hold our lawmakers accountable.
What are you and your lawmaker's doing make a difference?
could have been prevented, this should be galvanizing our law makers, to enact. Think, this could
have been your child, just imagine the anguish any parent would have to live with, if this happened to
them. One such parent that suffered this horrible anguish was Mark Lunsford. His daughter, Jessica
Lunsford the 9-year-old girl had been sexually abused, kidnapped, and buried alive in Florida.
Jessica Lunsford came from Gaston County, North Carolina before moving to Florida. In the loving
memory of Mark Lunsford’s daughter Jessica, a law has been introduced to enforce stricter laws
pertaining to sex offenders called Jessica’s Law.
On April 16, 2008, Mark Lunsford told Jessica’s Law Now North Carolina, “What happened to
my daughter should have never happened, and I'm working to make sure it doesn't happen to
another child. It saddens me to know my home state of North Carolina has not yet passed
Jessie's Law. I won't rest until we do.”
We need our local and state officials still push for stronger laws for molestation. North Carolina still
does not have strong enough punishment for molestation of minors and Jessica’s Law would ensure
this. Sex offenders are moving toward states that have loose judgments in their laws, as North
Carolina.
"We should all work together to make sure that Jessica's Law is passed in all fifty states. There
are presently 18 states or so that have not yet passed any form of Jessica's Law, it saddens me
to think that my home state of Tennessee and North Carolina where I grew up are included in
the list of states that have not passed Jessica's Law. I do not know why, but I intend to find
out." God Bless, Charlie Daniels
Since Charlie Daniels made this statement in 2007, laws have become stricter in Tennessee for sex
offenders. Tennessee now has a version of Jessica's Law. North Carolina is one of several states that
has not step up to the plate for Jessica's Law. We hope that changes soon!
Taking a non-political stand various individuals, groups and organizations have formed an action
group called, “Jessica’s Law Now North Carolina.” The Group formed in response to apathetic
lawmakers, who are dithering about Jessica’s Law rather than making a solid difference toward
protecting our children. This formed coalition is tired of all the prolonging games and excuses our
lawmakers, have made when it comes to our children.
The laws pertaining to Sex Offenders has been lacking in North Carolina. Still, North Carolina
state lawmakers and officials' priorities lack the necessary emphasis for stricter guidelines pertaining
to North Carolina Sex Offenders. Our children are not Democratic or Republican; they are children
and should be innocent and free. These days, children cannot play outside nor do anything without
close supervision; parents are in fear of them being abducted. Many situations have occurred
through out North Carolina, where Individuals that commit sexual crimes abducted children; these
crimes against children need to be stopped. These individuals require incarceration and strict
comprehensive monitoring.
North Carolina has many sex offenders, who have fallen through the cracks. By sex offenders
changing their identity and not re-registering once moved, these offenders manipulate the system.
This has been an on going problem through out North Carolina often; administration has failed to
let law enforcement know of the placement of paroled sex offenders in their communities. Allowing
violent sex offenders to go free and not providing mandatory hearings, stricter penalties for non-
compliance, has allowed dangerous parolees to remain free, even after they violated parole.
Psychological damage inflicted on a defenseless child lasts a lifetime, if they survive. Sexual predators
are always looking for their next victim.
Word to all you parents, “Awareness is your best defense.”
Each year, almost 1 million American children experience abuse and neglect. Approximately 1400
of those children are killed each year from abuse, more than three-quarters of fatalities because of
abuse involve children younger than 4 years old. Each week, child protective services agencies in
the United States receive more than 50,000 reports of child abuse or neglect, and annually, nearly
900,000 of these cases substantiated.
In 2006-2007, North Carolina had 111,000 children reported Abused and Neglected. Data shows
children in North Carolina are abused or neglected every 15 minutes and that actual sexual abuse of
children are 15 times greater than officially reported in North Carolina.
Presently, 10,000 registered Sex Offenders move to a new address or jobs daily. Children, women,
elderly, incapacitated or handicapped people are especially at risk from sexual predators. Charlotte,
Greensboro and Raleigh are no different; each city has a large number of registered sexual offenders.
North Carolina has 13,900 sex offenders register and with a population of 8,227 in thousand, it
comes to 1,689.6 per million. Remember that this does not count un-register sex offenders in
North Carolina.
Basic Statistics:
1. 95% of children that are molested know and trust their molester.
2. 90% of sex crimes are committed against someone the perpetrator knows.
3. 20% of girls and 17% of boys are molested before their 18th birthday.
Sexual Abuse of Children by the Internet:
1. 1 in five children solicited on line.
2. 50 thousand predators are on line.
3. Web sites that exploit children are a $57 Billion Dollar Industry.
What it took get Jessica's Law:
In past years, we voiced our outrage to North Carolina lawmakers for failing to provide stricter laws
against sex offenders. We are disgusted with the lack of support from members of the North Carolina
General Assembly and our North Carolina Governor Mike Easley.
Governor Easley's office made it clear. In all their correspondences of last two years, North Carolina has
strict laws for sex offenders. If that is the case Governor Easley, why are sex offenders and repeat
offenders still able to victimize children of North Carolina?
These individuals should be ashamed of themselves for not protecting our children; they rather play the
game of being Politically Correct.
Time has come to take a stand and voice you are outrage to our North Carolina General Assembly and
North Carolina Governor Mike Easley. Tell our state leaders we need House Bill 933, Jessica Lunsford Act
aka. Jessica's Law passed!
June 11, 2008 a new harsher version of HB 933, Jessica Lunsford Act aka. Jessica’s Law has passed the
N.C. Senate. This harsher version of HB 933 was sent to J II Committee in the N.C. House. Various
members of the J II Committee had problems with the additions that the N.C. Senate added to HB 933.
North Carolina Representative Dan Blue Chairman of Judiciary II Committee felt that a sub-committee
should try to work out these differences. North Carolina Representative Rick Glazier named Chairman over
this Sub Committee.
Sub Committee met several times and had many discussions regarding the reasons for allowing sex
offenders on school grounds and their rights. North Carolina Representative Jennifer Weiss was more
concerned over rights of sex offenders than the victims. The Sub Committee ran into other dilemmas such
as; sentencing, structure of wording in the bill and wanting to make changes to what the North Carolina
House passed originally with HB 933.
Sub Committee reported to the J II Committee and they agreed to Report Unfavorable Concurrent and to
Cal Pursuant Rule 36 (b). This allowed the North Carolina House to vote and HB 933 failed.
On July 7, 2008, N.C. House Appointed Bill Conferees (Committee). This group met discussed the select
problems of wording and concern of various rights for sex offenders. An agreement was reached and the
language changes were added.
On July 8, 2008, N.C. Senate Appointed Bill Conferees (Committee). The group received the changes and
there was an understanding that HB 933 completed with N.C. House by Thursday, July 10, 2008.
For the next several days, a cat and mouse game occurred and HB 933 was in the middle.
For three weeks, members of Jessica's Law Now North Carolina attended every meeting and did
everything we could to assist in getting HB 933 passed through the legislation. Various members that were
in Raleigh for the three weeks paid for all their personal cost.
Finally, the North Carolina House moved forward and HB 933 and a vote occurred.
Thursday, July 18, 2008 both North Carolina Senate and North Carolina House approved HB 933. North
Carolina Senate unanimously voted yes to pass HB 933; the North Carolina House only had one negative
vote. It is now up to Governor Mike Easley sign HB 933 aka. Jessica's Law.
"One of the proudest moments in my life was being able to call Mark Lunsford tell him the North Carolina
Legislators have passed HB 933 aka. Jessica's Law," said Mark A. Palmer Director of Jessica's Law Now
North Carolina.
Mark Lunsford was glad and overjoyed to receive the news.
Monday, July 28, 2008, Governor Mike Easley sign HB 933 Jessica Lunsford Act of North Carolina aka.
Jessica’s Law. This major event took place at Council Chamber at City Hall,181 S Street, in Gastonia, N.C.
at 2:00 p.m. North Carolina has truly honor Jessica Lunsford now.
Jessica’s Law Now North Carolina is very grateful for all the hard work the Representatives did from: Julia
Howard, Tim Moore, Debra Clary, State Senator David W. Hoyle, State Senator Tony Rand, as well as all
the co-sponsors of this Bill.
What about other states that do not have Jessica's Law and required 25 year mandatory sentencing. As a
nation we need to hold our lawmakers accountable.
What are you and your lawmaker's doing make a difference?
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