Fighting for tougher sex offender laws

North Andover - In 1995, Debbie Savoia was deeply disturbed to find out, via an anonymous letter from out of state, that a convicted child sex offender was moving to her neighborhood.
Even more troubling was the fact that the offender’s criminal information could not be released to the public because there was no law mandating dissemination of those details.
“I didn’t understand who he was after in particular ‑ little boys, girls?” Savoia said. “My son was riding his bike to his friend’s house, and I was worried.”
Her son’s welfare sparked Savoia to write her lawmakers and local newspapers, and to participate in media interviews. She told people they had a right to know if a sex offender was moving to their neighborhood and said the laws had to be changed.

“At that time, I found we had tougher laws for animal abuse than sex offenders,” Savoia said.
Her advocacy paid off, and in August of 1996, she stood with Gov. William Weld as the federal Megan’s Law was officially brought to Massachusetts. The law says that neighbors, schools and daycare places must be notified by the local police department if a Level 3 sex offender moves into their vicinity. Since the adoption of Megan’s Law, Savoia has continued her advocacy work, helped victims and has stayed involved in sex offender legislation.

In recognition of her commitment, she was recently honored as North Andover’s Unsung Heroine of 2008. The award, presented by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), recognizes women who “quietly, without fanfare or recognition, make their communities and the commonwealth better places.”

The Fifth Annual Unsung Heroine Celebration will be held May 14 at the State House to honor the commonwealth’s 286 Unsung Heroines. A state Unsung Heroine will be chosen at the event.
Chelmsford resident Laurie Myers nominated Savoia, with whom she works on Community VOICES, an organization that aims to strengthen laws to protect children and communities from child predators.

“She’s one of the most amazing women I’ve ever known,” Myers wrote in the nomination letter. “…she’s passionate about the issue of child safety, and her unselfish efforts to keep children safe do not stop with her own children; she cares about all children…”
Coincidentally, Savoia nominated Myers, who is now Chelmsford’s Unsung Heroine.
“We sent our letters on the same day,” Savoia said. “We sometimes joke we share one brain.”
Before forming Community VOICES in 2005, Savoia was a volunteer for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2001, she requested and received the first proclamation from Gov. Jane Swift for National Missing Children’s Day in Massachusetts. She also worked with state Sen. Bruce Tarr, who filed two bills for her in 2002 — one that requires offenders to be classified before they leave prison, the other posting Level 3 sex offenders on the Internet.

Savoia has also advocated for and befriended murder victims’ families, including Maureen Kanak, Bob Curley, John and Magi Bish and the Presti family. She was involved in drafting the Joanna and Alyssa [Presti] Act, named after a Woburn mother and daughter who were murdered by a Level 3 sex offender staying in their city but registered in Lowell. The law would require sex offender backgrounds be listed on criminal records.

In 2004, Savoia met Myers, a former rape crisis counselor, at a court hearing about posting Level 3 sex offenders on the Internet. Savoia was there with the Presti family.
After sharing notes, the two women saw a clear need for advocates to help average citizens be heard, and to provide education about child sexual abuse and Internet predators. They brought on board fellow advocates Sandy DiBacco and Rachel Eaton to join them as the Community VOICES organization.

Community VOICES has quickly become a major volunteer resource for state officials and other groups. With Myers and Savoia acting as president and vice president, the organization provides information and attends court hearings with victims, and advocates for legislation at the state level. In 2006, Savoia and Myers were asked by Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey to sit on the Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Abuse.
“We’re the only volunteer organization in the state acting as a resource like this,” Savoia said.
And, all of the organization’s work is done without earning a single penny.

Savoia is also working on Jessica’s Law, named after 10-year-old Jessica Lunsford of Florida, who was abducted, raped and murdered by a neighbor and repeat sex offender in 2005.
“The sex offenders are doing no time for raping kids,” Savoia said. “The minimum mandatory first offense is five years, with a second offense at whatever the judge decides. I’m not into three-strike laws. Why should we wait for the person to harm another child?”
Jessica’s Law would set the minimum prison sentence at 10-years-to-life for the first offense and 20-years-to-life for a subsequent crime.

In the midst of her extensive advocacy work, Savoia is feeling grateful to have been chosen as an Unsung Heroine, calling it a true “honor.” But you won’t find her resting on her laurels. For Savoia, every day’s a chance to tighten laws and make Massachusetts a safer place for families.
“I’m going to fight like hell to do all I can,” she said.