Helpful Critical Hints for FSOs and Their Families

Are you NEW to the Community Room? If so, then it is VERY important that you read these "Important Considerations " which helps us understand what brought you to the Community Room and helps us to make appropriate referrals, or find resources that you may want. If you have done that, then see the "Daily Life Information" that follows: Information Helpful to a Registrant & Family Over the years we have read hundreds of news accounts documenting what Former Sex Offenders (FSOs) face in their daily lives, and many of the stories are personal accounts of life as a FSO. A significant number of those news items are posted in our news blogs. Those stories held a wealth of information, and we learned from them. From them we identified FIVE CRITICAL daily needs of FSOs, and their families, they are: 1) Informational guides relevant to daily life, and resources to help with needs as well; 2) Family Support Groups, for FSO families in the community and families of those incarcerated; 3) Support Groups: For former offenders, Offenders in Civil Commitment, and families of these folks; 4) Suggestions on interacting with police on a daily basis; 5) Because sex offenders and their families are often harassed, stalked or lately subject to extortion plots, folks need to know the laws governing those topics (Click for a State-by-State list of those laws. . Informational Guides These are guides written by folks to help FSOs and their families with their daily life. Guides such as Housing and How to Become an Activist, etc. Resource and referral information. These are a focus of Phase-1 of the Community Room Goals. Support Groups: Family and Friends of FSOs Here are known support groups for families and spouses of FSOs, in the community or incarcerated: Families of Sex Offenders (Over 400 Members); Healing Wives; Loving a Convict; Prison Talk Online Prison Legal News Mothers of Incarcerated Sons Society New Person Ministries Support Groups: Former Offenders and folks in Civil Commitment Here are support groups specifically for former offenders in the community: RestoredOne Interacting with the Police Before reading further watch this video Since the start of registries and community notification, there has been more interaction with police than ever, it is important that everyone learns how to handle themselves during those times. Here are tips from folks who know: Home Address Checks:The following is about general everyday interaction with the police, but there is one other special time explained here: "Home Address Checks." That is a very special time needing an in depth explanation. In addition, some of the following would also be relevant during home address checks and I'm sure folks will realize which ones. When interacting with the police, can you record what transpires? Before recording or taping what takes place between you and the police, see HERE and HERE. If you record something and there is a state law prohibiting it, you may be charged with a crime. Rochester Woman Arrested After Videotaping Police From Her Own Front Yard When the police come to your home: by a Connecticut attorney (Norm Pattis). Police Encounters: From a Texas attorney CLICK. and, over at FlexYourRights.Org they have extensive information on how to handle yourself during police encounters. They include videos to show whats proper and how to get in trouble. Worth your time to learn from those who know more. What to do if stopped on the Street: Do the police or the FBI want to question you? The ACLU has this brochure which explains what your rights are. Finally, if there is another topic you feel should/could be addressed here, please let us know by e-mailing eAdvocate@gmail.com. For now, have a great day and a better tomorrow. eAdvocate (BACK to the Top Page)