Just Doesn't Register

Some developments in Victoria over the past 24 hours have given me added proof – as if I needed it – that this country must bring in a national register for sex offenders. Like they have in the United States.  Like they have in Britain. Like they are trying to bring in on a state level in West Australia.

Over the past 24 hours I have received emails and phone calls from worried  parents in Narre Warren South.  They believe that one of Australia’s most notorious serial sex offenders against children is living in their town.

His name is Dennis Ferguson. Some of the emails were very persuasive. One woman wrote seeking my help although she did say ‘I understand, after your recent troubles, if you choose to ignore me, but this area is a family area, with many children in harm’s way’.

The email went on:

In the past day, rumours have circulated that convicted paedophile, Dennis Ferguson, was relocated to a house on Ormond Rd, Narre Warren Sth which is where I live and work. This has today been confirmed by a member of Vic Police who wishes to remain nameless’.

Then she said: ‘All I am asking is the public is made aware of this situation and the laws be changed to stop vile animals like living among us and on our tax dollar. Please Derryn, help our community in any way possible. The people of Narre Warren Sth are desperate’.

Another confused Ferguson with another vile creature nicknamed Mr. Baldy.

You can understand their fears. There’s a Pre to Year 12 school only about a kilometre away, a kindergarten and A Catholic primary school not far away.

Another concerned resident sent me a text message saying, in part: ‘I’ve spoken to some of the parents from the P-12 school. There’s supposedly a rally planned for Amberly Park shopping Centre at 4p.m. Thursday. There’s a lot of rumour and hysteria amongst the community’.

Understandably. But the rumours are not true. I spoke last night to Narre Warren Police and to Police Media. And I received a statement from VicPol that  Dennis Ferguson ‘ is not living in Victoria’. Full stop. A categorical denial.

This morning I received this statement from Victoria Police:

‘There has been speculation via facebook regarding alleged sightings of convicted paedophile, Dennis Ferguson. Victoria Police can confirm that this information is entirely incorrect. Dennis Ferguson is not living in Victoria. We would also like to stress that members of the community should not take matters into their own hands regarding any of the apparent sightings’.

It seems Narre Warren South and specifically  Ormond Road were mentioned several days ago on that, not always reliable, paedophile watchdog internet site called Mako. In fairness, the article did say the sighting was unconfirmed.

Somebody without proof also started a Facebook page called ‘Get this guy out of the Narre Warren Sth area’.

An official national register of sex offenders would scotch these rumours before they spread.  It works well in the United States. As I said on air when I got released from House Arrest the official Californian Government site says: ‘Welcome to the California Department of Justice’s Internet website, which lists designated registered sex offenders in California’.

Many  American states now have government internet sites listing the photos, crimes and current addresses of sex offenders. Hundreds of them. That information is easily available to the public and there has not been a wave of vigilante violence since President Bill Clinton signed a Federal Megan’s Law in 1996  requiring states to disclose to the public information about sex offenders.

In Britain they have a similar law called Sarah’s Law. Why don’t we have it here?  What’s even worse in Victoria is that we not only don’t have a public register, our courts go to great length to suppress the names, photos, addresses of the most serious, serial, sex offenders as part of a deal when they let them back into an unsuspecting community. 

Many of them, like Dennis Ferguson, refused any rehabilitation courses in jail and many, again like Ferguson have nil chance of  curbing their behaviour.

A public register is the only logical solution. If the local Police sergeant knows – then why shouldn’t you.