TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)-- A new petition is making its rounds online urging lawmakers to find ways to cut down on re-offending sexual predators. Its become a growing concern for many sexual abuse victims who say its scary to think it could happen again.
It's a petition to keep sex offenders and predators from recommitting sex crimes, especially against children.
"That's really what we're seeing with these petitions, everybody being passionate and standing up around the issue and working together to protect our children," said Lauren Book.
Lauren Book, the founder of Lauren's Kids for victims of childhood abuse supports tougher laws to keep those who commit those crimes behind bars longer.
"These monsters can be put away for the rest of their lives, they murder children's childhood, my childhood was taken from me," said Book.
The petition calls on the governor and Florida legislators to create the "Cherish Law."
The law is named after an 8-year old Cherish Perrywhinkle from Jacksonville who authorities say was kidnapped and murdered by repeat sex offender Donald Smith.
"We can make a safer Florida for our children, so that children don't need to suffer the way that i did and so many others have, it shouldn't hurt to be a child and so often it does," said Book.
Many of those who are signing the petition agree with Book. For instance, one post reads:
"How many more children must die before lawmakers realize that sex offenders cannot be rehabilitated?"
Another one says, "Too many innocent children are being taken while we allow these animals to roam free."
Its a freedom Books says right now is given too easily.
"In so many instances these individuals should never ever be allowed out for a second chance, they're ticking time bombs, its not a questions if they a re-offend, it's a question of when they re-offend," said Book.
