The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 12

lit DAIS AIMS MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1996 GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS Most sex crimes are against kids The Associated Press WASHINGTON- Two-thirds of sex offenders in state prisons attacked children, and a third of these victims were offspring or stepchildren of their attackers, the Justice Department reported Sunday. In a report based on the largest survey ever of state prison inmates, the department said children under age 18 bear the brunt of sex offenses and that child molesting remains a crime most often perpetrated by relatives and acquaintances rather than strangers. The department's Bureau of Justice Statistics estimated that state prisons held 43,552 inmates in 1991 who raped or sexually assaulted children under 18. That represents 65.5 percent of the estimated 66,482 state inmates convicted of raping or sexually assaulting victims of all ages. "This high rate of child victime is behind the heightened concern and the growing number of states passing laws that provide for notifying neighborhoods when sexual predators move in," said David Beatty, acting executive director of the National Victims Center, a private advocacy group in Arlington, "The majority of sex crimes are committed against children because they are more helpless, easier targets and easier to intimidate into silence." The Justice Department data are consistent with a 1992 national survey of crime victims.

The Justice Department study found that more than half the child victims of rape or sexual assault were age 12 or younger. Among all child victims of violence, three-fourths were female. A third of child molesters had attacked their own child or stepchild. Another half of the molesters were a friend, acquaintance or more-distant relative of their victim. Only one in seven molested a child who was a stranger.

Three out of four child molesters committed their crimes either in their own home or the child's home. The government found that prisoners who had attacked children were mostly male, 97 percent, and were more likely to be white, nearly 70 percent, and married or divorced, 64 percent, than prisoners who had victimized those 18 or older. The average child victimizer was five years older than the average inmate who attacked adults. Policy has students protesting The Associated Press MERRIMACK, N.H. Ask Tom Gotsill, an English teacher for 30 years, how Walt Whitman's homosexuality affected his poetry, "I can't discuss that," Gotsill says.

James Roy, a math teacher for 21 years, surely can explain a newspaper article citing AIDS statistics. "I apologize. I just can't talk about that," Roy responds, lowering his head as color rises in chis face. Until this school year, both would have answered these questions. Today, they back away for fear of violating a school district ban on teachers discussing homosexuality as a part of life and living.

"For the first time in my life, I feel I have to look over my shoulder every time 1 say something," says Roy, who has joined parents and others suing Merrimack schools in federal court on grounds the policy inhibits free-dom of speech. The policy, titled the "Prohibition of Alternative Lifestyle worked Instruction," has pitted neigh- a single teacher has been disci- the bor against 1 neighbor in this town plined as a result of this policy," And of 22,450. Ager says. between The school board's conserva- That's because teachers are tive majority is standing firm, taking every precaution to probaking found insisting the policy protects chil- tect their jobs, says Sue Ruggeri, box. dren.

Hundreds of students, how- president of the Merrimack ever, are wearing black arm- Teachers' Association, one of the District a bands or pink triangle pins in plaintiffs in the U.S. in protest. Meanwhile, teachers Court lawsuit. have altered how they teach such According to the suit, classes classics as "Moby Dick," "Of Mice no longer address AIDS prevenin the and Men," "The Glass tion and suicide among gay Part Menagerie" and William Shake- teens. been speare's "A Midsummer Night's Teachers say "Twelfth Night" Dream" and "As You Like It" to has been withdrawn from father was avoid any discussion of homo- instruction.

Its comical plot sexuality, either in plot or author- involves a young woman who "My ship. disguises herself as a page, who might Under the policy, enacted on a falls in love with his-her master, with 3-2 vote last August, teachers who becomes fond of the page guard," are not allowed to pass out mate- but pines for a countess, who "But rials, instruct or offer counsel- becomes infatuated with the man." him to be a He ing portraying homosexuality as page, not knowing an acceptable way of life. her. since School board chairman Chris Roy, whose two children attend water, Ager, who proposed the policy, Merrimack schools, says fight- ing has said violations would be ing the policy through the courts regarded as insubordination was the best thing he could think grounds for firing. Ager won't to do.

specify what he would consider a "I believe that I can make a violation, so teachers say they difference in kids' lives. I would are in the dark. be teaching them nothing if I "I will say that as of today, not. quit: in this battle," he says. ROUND UP THE SAVINGS GTE NEW! More Than Cellular Cellular Phones, FREEDOM PLAN A NO ACTIVATION FEE AND GO FOR TWO DOUBLE THE MINUTES on activation DICKINSON terminal Ron Carter apply restrictions COMMUNICATIONS 3436 Gulf Frwy (Kroger Shopping Center) (713) 337-1495 M-F 9-6 Sat.

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LB MERCHANTS BANK Locally Owned. Community Minded. 2801 Main Street Dickinson, Texas 77568 (713) 337-1516 and 13 convenient locations! Member FDIC Bertolino Continued from 1-A Bertolino's youngest daughter, her father had 21 children, including four sets of twins. She also of how he walk up 10th Street Seawall Boulevard, look the Gulf FARMER determine whether the fish moving day. "That's how Bertolino's View its name," said.

street was dedicated shortafter his in 1960. Somewhere the line, Bertolilearned to from a Filman who on one ships. in fishing, and saving lives, he also time to teach his sons to Eddie Bertolino went on to be three-time lightweight champ 1947 and 1948. According to the monument, Bertolino swam five miles a day gulf, even into his 70s. of the reason might have that Charles Bertolino's drowned when Charles three.

grandfather's death have had a little to do why my father was a lifeEddie Bertolino said. he was just that kind of wanted to help people, and he was always around the he helped people by savtheir lives, Bertolino said. Principal said talked would to and into and were that got she The ly death along Charles no box ipino TEXAS CHARLES RESTOLINO Charles Bertolino in 1950. Continued from 1-A Sunday and said she thinks parents are prepared for today's school board meeting. "We have laid down to-thepoint issues to discuss during the meeting," she said.

Kendricks would not say exactly what those issues were. At the High Island School auditorium, the school' board meeting will allow an open discussion from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to the board's agenda. After the discussion, the school board will hold an executive session. During the open session, speakers are allowed five minutes.

The student body will also choose a "The auditorium holds about 300 people," Bridgett Borden said. "I hope that people have. to sit on each other's lap to get inside." Borden said Chiavarolotti, or "Mr. has pulled the community together. "He gained the respect of the community," Borden said.

For instance, he has buses run from the ferry all the way to High Island School, she said. Sunday's meeting was initially scheduled to be held at Stingaree restaurant in High Island. The meeting was moved because of an ordinance that doesn't allow public meetings to be held where alcohol is served. WE RE RECYCLING. ARE YOU? Recycle for your children's sake.

THE DAILY NEWS Authorized Agent "There's too much time and money wasted on lawsuits that could be settled outside the courtroom. 99 All too often, bitter lawsuits that could be settled outside of the courtroom cost both sides thousands of dollars and clog up our courts. Norma Venso, believes mediation outside the courtroom is the best way to unclog our courts and save citizens' money. That's why, if she is elected as our next 56th District Court Judge, Venso will order mediation in all civil lawsuits before they come to her courtroom. Venso ie an experienced mediator, herself, having mediated more than 131 lawsuits.

She is a also the past president of the Galveston County Mediators Association and is a part-time instructor in mediation at the University of HoustonClear Lake. More mediation will lead to more settlements, less money spent by both sides of cases, and quicker. hearings on serious criminal cases and complex civil suits. That's what we need. That's what we'll get with Norma Venso as our next District Judge.

"As a District Judge, I'll save time and money by encouraging lawsuit settlements through Venso has the qualifications and experience to make a great judge. Court Approved Mediator of Civil Disputes Appointed a Special Master by a District Judge State Bar of Texas Lecturer Vice President, Anti-Theft League of Galveston Rotary Club member Texas Bar Foundation member J.D., University of Texas School of Law B.A., Government, University of Texas NORMA VENSO for. DISTRICT JUDGE DISTRICT COURT Paid Pol. Adv, by Norma Venso Campaign, Jane Tacuber, Treasurer, 12212 Oak Lane, Dickinson, TX 77539 or 1-800-581-8811 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Island or 744-8811 1-800-581-8811 Mainland 888-7711 I. 1 1.