Jessica's Law And The
Jessica Lunsford Tragedy

Angela Wright and Mark Lunsford suffered a parent's worst nightmare when their daughter, Jessica Lunsford was abducted from her home, raped and murdered by John Couey, a 47-year old, previously convicted sex offender.

Jessica was born on October 6, 1995 and died on February 27, 2005 after being held captive for three days and then buried alive by Couey who was living in the Lunsford's neighborhood.

Jessica's life cannot be replaced, but other children's lives can be protected. Sex offenders who prey on children now face more stringent penalties as a result of the Jessica Lunsford Case and subsequent passing of the act.

As more states adopt this legislation and agencies begin to coordinate the information needed to protect our children, parents and community youth service personnel must also develop youth awareness programs to help our children protect themselves as well.

Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford established a foundation in her name to raise awareness for the need to change the legislation that governs child abuse and sexual predators that target children.

In addition, the foundation is bringing facts to light about the seriousness of this problem in the United States and the world.

Currently the fight to change legislation is focused on making the Jessica Lunsford Act a law on the federal level in addition to making it a law in every state. And there is also a movement to lobby for funds to be allocated for enacting these stronger laws (HR3132 Child Safety Act 2005).

Jessica Marie Lunsford is remembered by her family and friends as a kind, genuine child who loved helping people and was active in her Church. She had a sweet disposition and a sympathetic nature.

And this seems to be the profile for many of the young children who become the victim of sex offenders.

It is imperative that we approach the responsibility of protecting our children from every possible direction; parents need recognition and child development skills, community leaders who know that a person has been abused an appropriate channel to take action needs to be in place.

Our society is becoming more interconnected due to the variety and widespread access of communication methods. All levels of exposure to children need to be evaluated on a comprehensive level not just targeted at the adult population: we must educate the children about their safety procedures as well.

Adults are well aware of the dangers that they face from the criminal element in society. It's considerably more difficult for children to understand why someone would want to physically hurt them.

Our children need proactive protection not platitudes - they need adults to put concrete action behind the statement of: "our children are the future." If we want to better protect our children supporting Jessica's Law and the subsequent "Jessica Lunsford fingerprinting" amendment is another good step in the right direction.

By providing them with excellent care at home and away, plus the information and resources to be easily seen, heard and recognized as a human being who has the right to live safely without threat to their life whether they are in school or in their home.

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