Is There A Sex Offender in Your Neighborhood? Check the Registry Before Halloween

Sex offenders aren't allowed to hand out candy or participate in Halloween, but you should take a look at the registry before letting the kids wander. 

The New York State Police have a few resources for parents to check including an app built into Facebook and also the official state registry.

Not all registered offenders have harmed children nor are all offenders out to get children, but some have and it's good to know what houses to avoid on Halloween!

Here are some facts and myths about sex offenders:

Most men who commit sexual offenses do not know their victim. 

False. 90% of child victims know their offender, with almost half of the offenders being a family member. Of sexual assaults against people age 12 and up, approximately 80% of the victims know the offender.

If someone sexually assaults an adult, he will not target children as victims, and if someone sexually assaults a child, he will not target adults.

False. Research and anecdotal evidence indicate that while some sex offenders choose only one type of victim (e.g., prepubescent girls, post-pubescent boys, adult women, etc.), others prey on different types of victims. Therefore, no assumptions should be made about an offender's victim preference and precautions should be taken regardless of his crime of conviction.

Check out the full list of facts and myths.