The statistics show that registered sex offenders will most likely commit a sex crime again and that most sex crimes are committed by people who the victim knew.
So what can I do with this knowledge to protect my children and myself? It's very easy.
Try to check the backgrounds of the people your children and you socialize.
Try to find out about their past.
It can be helpful to make use of an online record registry.
You can check the background of your date, neighbor, co-workers and other people.
Of course you don't need to check everyone's background you know.
When you know the people a long time and you see him often, then there should be a big chance that if he or she is a criminal or sex offender you should have heard it from somebody already.
And if you haven't, then you should have no suspicions about him or her.
You should entertain doubts when somebody you know is acting weird.
For example when a new date or co-worker is too obtrusive.
Also a tip would be to check the dates of your children, especially when they are dating someone older then their self.
Anyway, try to talk about your children about their dates and also ask them to invite their "sweetheart" to dinner so you could meet them, too.
Like I said, you don't need to check all your children's dates, especially when your son is dating a small and skinny girl, but maybe you should when your daughter is dating a guy who is ten years older with big tattoos.
I just think you would have better dreams at night if you could know for sure that your daughter is not with a criminal or registered sex offender.