1st November 2006 - Stockport Express
A CHEADLE solicitor and leading expert on child abuse has called
on the government to change the law.
Peter Garsden, whose company represents child abuse victims across
the UK believes the introduction of Megan’s Law is the only way of
warning parents where paedophiles are living.
It also follows accusations that ministers are guilty of a serious
failure after new figures revealed more than 60 rapes, murders and
other serious crimes were committed by known offenders in the community.
Megan’s Law is a US federal law passed in 1996 that authorises local
law enforcement agencies to notify the public about convicted sex
offenders living, working or visiting their communities.
Mr Garsden, himself a father-of-two, said: "The rise in the re-offending
rates of paedophiles leads me to believe the introduction of Megan’s
Law into this country is the only way of warning parents where paedophiles
stay. I am calling on the government to legislate to this effect."
The new figures show the number of registered sex offenders in England
and Wales has increased by more than three per cent to just under
30,000.
Figures from the MAPPA (Multi Agency for Public Protection Arrangements)
website show 139 registered sex offenders to be living in Stockport
as of March 31 this year.
Mr Garsden added: "If paedophiles are released from prison into
the community in close proximity to children then the risk of further
offences must increase."
Mr Garsden, 49, is managing partner of Abney Garsden McDonald, which
has the UK’s largest dedicated child abuse compensation claims department.
Megan’s Law was inspired by the case of seven-year-old Megan Kanka,
a New Jersey girl who was raped and killed by a known child molester
who moved across the street from the family.
There has been a campaign in the UK to introduce Sarah’s Law’ after
the killing of eight-year-old schoolgirl Sarah Payne in July 2000.
Whilst there have been new pieces of legislation to protect children
no such law has yet been introduced.
Miles Skinner
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