UPDATE: Child Abuse Registry
The proposal for a new law doesn't seem very exciting to most people but to two local activists, it is a beautiful thing.
Child rights activists, Donna Kshir and Lee Cougardawn Roberts have spent nearly a decade speaking with politicians, lawmakers, groups, organizations, and anyone who would listen about a state-wide public child abuse registry similar to Megan's Law.
Kshir documented the majority of their journey on her podcast, The Daily with Donna Kshir which airs on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple, and Amazon Music. The goal was to share the high and low points on the road to getting a public child abuse registry, or public central registry, as she often refers to it. The idea came to her in 2015 while working on Conner's Law - Kentucky after learning that 2-year-old Conner Bachuss' killer was a repeat abuser.
Kshir said, "If there was a public database like Megan's Law that housed convicted child abusers' information it could be used as a tool to prevent child abuse before inviting someone into your home, getting into a relationship, or if your child was going to play on a sports team." She added, "It could prevent the abuse from happening."
After repeatedly being turned down hundreds of times by lawmakers not seeing her vision Kshir's friend 'Laurie" suggested reaching out to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Disappointed and frustrated with no immediate response back from the governor she took the weekend off to attend a family reunion. There she spoke with her cousin 'Casey.' It was then he told her about Rep. Aaron Berstine (R-Lawrence, Butler) who represented his area in Elwood City. He described Bernstine as 'awesome' and complimented 'his very caring nature when it came to protecting children and the elderly.' She emailed him.
The next morning she woke up to an email from Bernstine. She was resistant to opening it at first, but when she did she found Bernstine loved the idea.
Loving the idea and wasting no time, on August 20, Bernstine posted on the House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda:
"In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation that will establish a registry of those individuals convicted of committing child abuse. This registry will better help protect our communities across the Commonwealth by ensuring important information related to child abusers is available to the public in an easy and accessible manner."
On August 28, Kshir received a response from Governor Shapiro:
"I am grateful that you are participating in our democratic process—civic engagement is a right of all Pennsylvanians, and we all need to do our part. I have always sought to bring different perspectives around the table, and I know that the people’s perspectives make me a better Governor and help us to make meaningful progress for everyone in Pennsylvania. Please be assured that your comments are valuable to me, and, though we may not always agree, I will always listen," Shapiro said.
When asked her thoughts on Shapiro's email Kshir said, "We may not always agree. He's right. I don't agree with the fact that it's okay to hide people who abuse and kill children on a private database. Why does an abuser or killer have more rights than the child they physically abused or killed? Children are innocent. They need to be protected. We as a society need to stop giving these people slaps on the wrists and making plea deals with child abusers and killers. Our children deserve better regardless if Mr. Shapiro agrees or not."
A few weeks later, on September 4, Bernstine appeared as a guest with Kshir and Roberts on The Whole Issue with Canadian-American radio personality Laurie Ann Smith to discuss a public child abuse registry. Roberts commented on Bernstine's strength to protect our most vulnerable.
On December 20, WTAJ reporter Hayden Thompson covered a news story 'Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have introduced two bills aimed at violent crimes and child abuse.'
Thompson outlined Bernstine's proposal as the Child Abuse Registry bill looks to establish a public registry for anyone convicted of committing child abuse.
Berstine argued in his memorandum:
“My legislation will require defendants convicted of certain child abuse offenses such as aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of a minor, and kidnapping to register and provide a variety of information to the Pennsylvania State Police including if they obtain a new job, residency or vehicle,” Bernstine wrote in his memorandum. “This registry will be very similar to the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”) or more commonly referred to as Megan’s Law.”
Child abuse is defined as any kind of action or failure that results in harm or possible harm to a child under the age of 18 years old. The level of harm can take many forms, including but not limited to bodily or mental injury, sexual abuse, or exploitation. Statistics show that one in four girls and one in thirteen boys are estimated to experience child abuse in the United States. The risk of girls being abused is 3 times higher.
Anyone submitted to the registry would be required to provide a current phone number, aliases, nicknames and/or pseudonyms used as well as general information about themselves; including tattoos and distinguished marks.
On Saturday, February 23, via a Facebook post on Advocates United for Humanity, Bernstine was asked "How long it would be for an update?" and "Do you think the bill will get passed this year?" Bernstine commented, I am working on getting it through committee and hope to have more information in the next few weeks."
Bernstine was also the force behind "Markie's Law."
Child rights activists, Donna Kshir and Lee Cougardawn Roberts have spent nearly a decade speaking with politicians, lawmakers, groups, organizations, and anyone who would listen about a state-wide public child abuse registry similar to Megan's Law.
Kshir documented the majority of their journey on her podcast, The Daily with Donna Kshir which airs on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple, and Amazon Music. The goal was to share the high and low points on the road to getting a public child abuse registry, or public central registry, as she often refers to it. The idea came to her in 2015 while working on Conner's Law - Kentucky after learning that 2-year-old Conner Bachuss' killer was a repeat abuser.
Kshir said, "If there was a public database like Megan's Law that housed convicted child abusers' information it could be used as a tool to prevent child abuse before inviting someone into your home, getting into a relationship, or if your child was going to play on a sports team." She added, "It could prevent the abuse from happening."
After repeatedly being turned down hundreds of times by lawmakers not seeing her vision Kshir's friend 'Laurie" suggested reaching out to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Disappointed and frustrated with no immediate response back from the governor she took the weekend off to attend a family reunion. There she spoke with her cousin 'Casey.' It was then he told her about Rep. Aaron Berstine (R-Lawrence, Butler) who represented his area in Elwood City. He described Bernstine as 'awesome' and complimented 'his very caring nature when it came to protecting children and the elderly.' She emailed him.
The next morning she woke up to an email from Bernstine. She was resistant to opening it at first, but when she did she found Bernstine loved the idea.
Loving the idea and wasting no time, on August 20, Bernstine posted on the House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda:
"In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation that will establish a registry of those individuals convicted of committing child abuse. This registry will better help protect our communities across the Commonwealth by ensuring important information related to child abusers is available to the public in an easy and accessible manner."
On August 28, Kshir received a response from Governor Shapiro:
"I am grateful that you are participating in our democratic process—civic engagement is a right of all Pennsylvanians, and we all need to do our part. I have always sought to bring different perspectives around the table, and I know that the people’s perspectives make me a better Governor and help us to make meaningful progress for everyone in Pennsylvania. Please be assured that your comments are valuable to me, and, though we may not always agree, I will always listen," Shapiro said.
When asked her thoughts on Shapiro's email Kshir said, "We may not always agree. He's right. I don't agree with the fact that it's okay to hide people who abuse and kill children on a private database. Why does an abuser or killer have more rights than the child they physically abused or killed? Children are innocent. They need to be protected. We as a society need to stop giving these people slaps on the wrists and making plea deals with child abusers and killers. Our children deserve better regardless if Mr. Shapiro agrees or not."
A few weeks later, on September 4, Bernstine appeared as a guest with Kshir and Roberts on The Whole Issue with Canadian-American radio personality Laurie Ann Smith to discuss a public child abuse registry. Roberts commented on Bernstine's strength to protect our most vulnerable.
On December 20, WTAJ reporter Hayden Thompson covered a news story 'Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have introduced two bills aimed at violent crimes and child abuse.'
Thompson outlined Bernstine's proposal as the Child Abuse Registry bill looks to establish a public registry for anyone convicted of committing child abuse.
Berstine argued in his memorandum:
“My legislation will require defendants convicted of certain child abuse offenses such as aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of a minor, and kidnapping to register and provide a variety of information to the Pennsylvania State Police including if they obtain a new job, residency or vehicle,” Bernstine wrote in his memorandum. “This registry will be very similar to the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”) or more commonly referred to as Megan’s Law.”
Child abuse is defined as any kind of action or failure that results in harm or possible harm to a child under the age of 18 years old. The level of harm can take many forms, including but not limited to bodily or mental injury, sexual abuse, or exploitation. Statistics show that one in four girls and one in thirteen boys are estimated to experience child abuse in the United States. The risk of girls being abused is 3 times higher.
Anyone submitted to the registry would be required to provide a current phone number, aliases, nicknames and/or pseudonyms used as well as general information about themselves; including tattoos and distinguished marks.
On Saturday, February 23, via a Facebook post on Advocates United for Humanity, Bernstine was asked "How long it would be for an update?" and "Do you think the bill will get passed this year?" Bernstine commented, I am working on getting it through committee and hope to have more information in the next few weeks."
Bernstine was also the force behind "Markie's Law."
Road To The Registry
This webpage chronicles Donna Kshir and Lee 'Cougardawn' Roberts' journey from the birth of an idea in 2015 to better protect children to the current support and sponsorship they have with PA Rep. Aaron Bernstine.
For the most recent information on their journey CLICK HERE
For the most recent information on their journey CLICK HERE
Rep. Aaron Bernstine Supports Opening the PA Central Registry
Borowicz offers support for opening The Central Registry
RENOVO, PA- Two grandmothers, Donna M. Kshir (above left) and Lee Cougardawn Roberts (above right), seeking legislation to become law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse in the state are one step closer to seeing their vision come to light.
On April 5, Ms. Kshir sat down with Republican State Representative Stephanie Borowicz to see if they could gain her support and sponsorship of legislation. This time around, Borowicz offered support and suggested the duo meet with Republican Senator Cris Dush. Borowicz offered to sit in on that meeting.
The biggest roadblock the pair has faced has been the misunderstanding of Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System and the central registry.
READ MORE HERE
Source: https://therecord-online.com/site/archives/94496
On April 5, Ms. Kshir sat down with Republican State Representative Stephanie Borowicz to see if they could gain her support and sponsorship of legislation. This time around, Borowicz offered support and suggested the duo meet with Republican Senator Cris Dush. Borowicz offered to sit in on that meeting.
The biggest roadblock the pair has faced has been the misunderstanding of Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System and the central registry.
READ MORE HERE
Source: https://therecord-online.com/site/archives/94496
Two recent articles in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette indicate progress in the unyielding fight for transparency and for a public with better tools to be more fully informed.
First, in the weekend edition of the Sun-Gazette, two Clinton County women, Donna Kshir and Lee Roberts, are working diligently on making the child abuse registry available to the public.
“They believe opening the central registry will give parents the opportunity to protect their children,” Lexi Howard, who is working with Kshir and Roberts, told the Sun-Gazette.
Their efforts should be commended by all parents and by all readers who care about the safety of the children of our communities. We all should hope their efforts succeed.
Second, an Associated Press article in Monday’s Sun-Gazette examined how newspapers and the media are using “open source” investigations to better inform the public.
The use of publicly available documents and material, such as satellite images, phone and security camera footage and internet tools to add detail and context to important coverage.
The Associated Press article noted the use of open source investigation on coverage of the conflict in Ukraine, the “Arab Spring” protest movement about a decade ago and on coverage of stories closer to home, such as deaths at a Travis Scott concert in 2021 and incidents of excessive police force.
As technology — and the world — continues to evolve, we hope the opportunities for using these tools to more fully tell important stories and to provide the public with information they need continue to present themselves.
Both the use of open source investigations and the efforts of Kshir and Roberts to equip parents and their neighbors with knowledge about the perpetrators of serious crimes are important and positive signs that the opportunities for a better informed public will not be missed.
Source
First, in the weekend edition of the Sun-Gazette, two Clinton County women, Donna Kshir and Lee Roberts, are working diligently on making the child abuse registry available to the public.
“They believe opening the central registry will give parents the opportunity to protect their children,” Lexi Howard, who is working with Kshir and Roberts, told the Sun-Gazette.
Their efforts should be commended by all parents and by all readers who care about the safety of the children of our communities. We all should hope their efforts succeed.
Second, an Associated Press article in Monday’s Sun-Gazette examined how newspapers and the media are using “open source” investigations to better inform the public.
The use of publicly available documents and material, such as satellite images, phone and security camera footage and internet tools to add detail and context to important coverage.
The Associated Press article noted the use of open source investigation on coverage of the conflict in Ukraine, the “Arab Spring” protest movement about a decade ago and on coverage of stories closer to home, such as deaths at a Travis Scott concert in 2021 and incidents of excessive police force.
As technology — and the world — continues to evolve, we hope the opportunities for using these tools to more fully tell important stories and to provide the public with information they need continue to present themselves.
Both the use of open source investigations and the efforts of Kshir and Roberts to equip parents and their neighbors with knowledge about the perpetrators of serious crimes are important and positive signs that the opportunities for a better informed public will not be missed.
Source
Senator Doug Mastriano Rally
May 12, 2022 - Clinton County, PA
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Williamsport Sun-Gazette
MAY 7, 2022 MARK MARONEY /Reporter
PHOTO PROVIDED This combination photo shows Donna M. Kshir, left, and Lee Roberts.
Donna M. Kshir and Lee Roberts, both grandmothers, want people to be able to search offenders by name and location, according to Lexi Howard, an assistant and spokeswoman for Kshir and Roberts.
The grandmothers are seeking legislation to become law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse offenses in the state, including their name, date of birth, the tier of the crime and the location the crime took place which is often needed to find court records.
Past and latest efforts:
Since 2015, Kshir and Roberts have been trying to get the child abuse registry to be open.
READ MORE HERE
The grandmothers are seeking legislation to become law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse offenses in the state, including their name, date of birth, the tier of the crime and the location the crime took place which is often needed to find court records.
Past and latest efforts:
Since 2015, Kshir and Roberts have been trying to get the child abuse registry to be open.
READ MORE HERE
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'Maris Commits'
With the Primary Election right around the corner, Denise Maris, the Democratic candidate for the State House of Representatives from the 76th District, is not wasting any time getting down to business.
On Thursday, March 3, Ms. Maris met with child rights activists Donna Kshir (Clinton County, Pennsylvania) and Lee Roberts (Crestview, Florida). Both Ms. Kshir and Roberts are highly respected activists using their voice for Conner’s Law - Kentucky and receiving a Letter of Recommendation, Animal Rescue, Rights, Children’s Rights, Missing and Unidentified Persons, the Homeless, Domestic Violence, and the Deaf Community. READ MORE HERE
Source
On Thursday, March 3, Ms. Maris met with child rights activists Donna Kshir (Clinton County, Pennsylvania) and Lee Roberts (Crestview, Florida). Both Ms. Kshir and Roberts are highly respected activists using their voice for Conner’s Law - Kentucky and receiving a Letter of Recommendation, Animal Rescue, Rights, Children’s Rights, Missing and Unidentified Persons, the Homeless, Domestic Violence, and the Deaf Community. READ MORE HERE
Source
