New York State Assemblyman Rob Walker (left) discusses New York's Megan's Law with Laura Ahern, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law, and fellow Assemblyman David G. McDonough.

New York State Assemblyman Rob Walker (R, C, I, WF - Hicksville) and his Republican colleagues from Long Island recently hosted a forum at the Merrick Library to discuss New York's laws dealing with protecting our community from sexual predators and what the legislature could do to improve those protections.

"The best way to gather information on the effectiveness of New York's current laws is to conduct these task force forums," said Walker. "Local advocacy groups like the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect and Parents for Megan's Law, local law enforcement, prosecutors and school district groups are a valuable source of information for us as legislators and the community. I commend their continued efforts to provide a safer community for all of us."

Among the groups and individuals in attendance was the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect (www.coalitiononchildabuse.org), which provides compassion through support and innovative professional programs and services to accomplish its vision of creating a community where all children have the opportunity to flourish.

Also present was Laura Ahern, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law (parentsformeganslaw.com), a not-for-profit community and victim's rights organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of sexual abuse through the provision of education, advocacy, counseling, victim's services policy and legislative support services. For more information on Parents for Megan's Law, call 1-888-ASK-PFML or 1-631-689-2672.