Last summer, I took my youngest daughter to our local public pool. I was horrified to see a convicted sex offender, who was known to have targeted children, amongst the general public. Our small town is a close-knit community where many youngsters spend their days unattended by their parents at the pool. These circumstances are not unique to us - public pools, often situated close to parks and playgrounds, serve as popular gathering places for children and teenagers. It is unthinkable that registered sex offenders can access these spaces freely.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 63% of sexual assaults are never reported to the police, and 34% of perpetrators are family members. Thus, the majority of predators are never convicted, let alone registered. Therefore, adding restrictions to the movements of those who are registered can serve to mitigate some of the risk posed to our children.

We urge policymakers to take immediate action - to establish laws prohibiting registered sex offenders from frequenting areas such as public pools where children are likely to be present. Sex offenders should not have the luxury to roam free in spaces meant for children's play and enjoyment. Let's take a stand for the safety and peace of mind of our children and the parents who care for them. Please, sign our petition.