Sexual Offenders Information

Requirements Of Community Supervision:

Community Supervision is requirement of probation for offenders set for a specific amount of time by the court. This period of time can be as short as six months, or as long as ten years. In general, when dealing with sexual offenders, the term of supervision is set long enough to assess the risk factors, and effect some behavioral changes in addition to standard probation requirements. Sexual offenders must register with the state as a sexual offender, participate in the DNA registry, attend counseling, take polygraphs, take diagnostic tests, observe child safety zones, and follow any other sexual offender conditions deemed necessary by the court.

Sexual Offender Registration Information:

Sexual offenders residing in Van Zandt County, Texas, are required to register with the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office

A list of of offenders residing in the county may be obtained from the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office by phone at 903-567-4133 or by visiting their web site at www.vzsheriff.com or log on to the Department of Public Safety web site at www.txdps.state.tx.us

Tools Used for Supervision and Treatment:

• Compliance: Sexual Offenders must adhere to all of the conditions set by the court in their terms of probation
• Counseling: Most Van Zandt County Offenders are required to attend counseling for the entire term of probation
• Polygraph Tests: The polygraph instrument is a relatively simple device measuring heart rate, blood pressure, respiration (breathing), and electro dermal changes (skin conductivity). These physiological changes are measured with no physical discomfort to the subject. The measurements are used to determine the truthfulness of answers given to a series of questions. The polygraph test are use as a tool to help determine compliance with counseling objectives, and are conducted whenever deemed necessary by the court, the probation officer, or the therapist.
• Abel Screen: The Abel Screen evaluates sexual interest and arousal, and is designed to determine the treatment needs, and risk level.
• Field Visits: The Probation Officer conducts random visits to the offender's home to verify compliance with the conditions of probation.
• Electronic Monitoring: The offender wears an ankle bracelet, which sends out a radio signal precisely showing the exact location. The offender is only allowed to leave their home for specific reasons and at specific times. A monitoring company tracks their movements 24 hours a day, and immediately reports any deviation from the allowed limits to their Probation Officer.
• Voice Track: A monitoring company pages offenders periodically during the day and night. A voice recording from the offender has been used to create a computer template which is compared to the caller returning the page, preventing illegitimate callers from responding. Calls are automatically rejected from cellular phones or using call forwarding. The caller must call back within a specified amount of time, and the phone number they called from is automatically recorded.
• Chaperone Class: Chaperone classes are conducted by both a Probation Officer and a therapist to provide training to the family and/or friends of a sexual offender. The Probation Officer explains conditions and behavior required of the probationer while on probation. The therapist explains treatment and key behaviors of an offender, both prior to and after receiving treatment. Chaperones are encouraged to take an active part in the offender's life in order to recognize and spot thinking, and behavioral errors that can lead to a sex offense. The chaperone can intercede before another offense has been committed, preventing legal consequences and any victimization.

Methods Used By Sexual Offenders To Find And Control Victims:

Child Molester most commonly will try and establish a relationship with their victim prior to the assault. Sexual Offenders have reported that they controlled their victims in the following ways, listed in order of frequency used:

• Coercion
• Trickery or Bribery
• Force or Threat
• Attacking a Sleeping Victim
• Violence
• Blackmail

Information Parents Should Be Aware Of Regarding Sexual Abuse:

Many sexual offenders are experts in how to groom and control children, so that they can victimize them with a minimal fear of being reported. Typically child molesters look for children who have poor communication with their parents. These children are least likely to report inappropriate sexual activity, because they rarely talk to their parents. These children are often desperate for attention from an adult, and the child molester will move to occupy that void. This is a typical profile, but remember that any child, regardless of their relationship with those close to them can be vulnerable. Parents must be aware of whom their child comes in contact with, and must decide what the nature of that contact will be. You should encourage your children to discuss any issue with you, with out fear of repercussions. Keep in mind that the more personal the issue, the harder it may be for your child to bring the subject up at all. Your children should know that they need to disclose any inappropriate behavior immediately. You should also ensure that your children know what high risk situations are, and how to defend their personal boundaries.

Reporting Suspected Sexual Abuse:

IF YOU SUSPECT SEXUAL ABUSE YOU SHOULD REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY!

Texas State Family Code 261.101 States:

(a) A person having cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect by any person shall immediately make a report as provided by this subchapter.

(b) If a professional has cause to believe that a child has been or may be abused or neglected the professional shall make a report not later than the 48th hour after the professional first suspects that the child has been or may be abused or neglected. A professional may not delegate to or rely on another person to make the report.

Exception to an individual whose personal communications may otherwise be privileged, including an attorney, a member of the clergy, a medical practitioner, a social worker, a mental health professional and an employee of a clinic or health care facility that provides reproductive services.

(d) The identity of an individual making a report under this chapter is confidential and may be disclosed only on the order of the court or to a law enforcement officer for the purposes of conducting an investigation of the report.

Emergency Contact Numbers:

Sex Offender Caseload Officer:

Stefanie Clark--   E-mail:   sclark@vzcscd.com 
Phone:     (903) 567-4066