When Brooke Bennett disappeared last year, Vermont's first Amber Alert was issued. Her body was found on July 3 near her uncle's home. Brooke was last seen alive with the uncle who was trying to initiate her into a "sex ring". The uncle was a registered sex offender named Michael Jaques who was already facing charges in the assault of another minor. The state of Vermont was widely ridiculed for their laws on sexual predators. This is also the state where Judge Edward Cashman ordered a child molester to serve just 60 days in jail. He has defended that decision saying that the need for treatment in a timely manner is important. Being under such scrutiny, Vermont has finally made some changes. Whether it will be enough is yet to be determined, but at least it's a start.
Governor Jim Douglas signed the bill into effect in March of this year. The online sex offender registry in the state of Vermont will now be expanded. 1,700 offenders will be added along with updated photos and information.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31555488/from/ET/
http://scaredmonkeys.com/category/brooke-bennett/
PAVE Voices: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment is an organization committed to shattering the silence to the silence surrounding sexual violence!
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