Crimes against Children: Child Abuse and Child Fatalities Chapter 13 Crimes against Children: Child Abuse and Child Fatalities

Chapter Objectives Summarize the scope of the problem of child abuse. Explain the role of Child Protective Services (CPS) and the police in crimes against children. Describe the problem of child physical abuse. continued on next slide

Chapter Objectives Describe the problems of battered child syndrome, shaken baby syndrome, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and sudden infant death syndrome. Summarize the scope and prevalence of child sexual abuse. continued on next slide

Chapter Objectives Explain the significance of the forensic interview. Summarize the various problems associated with child exploitation.

Summarize the scope of the problem of child abuse. Learning Objective 13.1 Summarize the scope of the problem of child abuse.

Scope of Child Abuse Risk factors commonly associated with maltreatment Stress Painful childhood Alcohol or other drugs Isolation continued on next slide

Scope of Child Abuse Risk factors commonly associated with maltreatment Inexperience with children or unrealistic expectations Immaturity Unmet emotional needs continued on next slide

Scope of Child Abuse Child fatalities can be categorized as either type of maltreatment: Acute Chronic continued on next slide

Scope of Child Abuse Acute maltreatment Child's death caused by injuries from one specific incident Child has not been previously abused or neglected. continued on next slide

Scope of Child Abuse Chronic maltreatment Child's death caused by injuries from neglect over an extended period of time continued on next slide

Scope of Child Abuse Parens patriae Legal term for government's role in protecting the interests of children and intervening when parents fail to provide proper care Doctrine has evolved into the principle that the community, in addition to the parent, has a strong interest in care and nurturing of children.

Learning Objective 13.2 Explain the role of Child Protective Services (CPS) and the police in crimes against children.

Child Protective Services Role of child protective services in cases of child death Determine whether maltreatment involved in child's death. Identify the responsible party. Take appropriate action to protect any surviving siblings. continued on next slide

Child Protective Services CPS does not determine whether anyone committed a crime. Coordination between law enforcement and CPS is important in child death investigations.

Describe the problem of child physical abuse. Learning Objective 13.3 Describe the problem of child physical abuse.

Child Physical Abuse Child abuse incorporates a variety of purposeful acts resulting in injuries to a child. Physical abuse Sexual abuse Physical neglect continued on next slide

Child Physical Abuse In the death of a child, a medical examiner may be the primary source of contact for investigative purposes. External signs of abuse Internal signs of abuse

Learning Objective 13.4 Describe the problems of battered child syndrome, shaken baby syndrome, Munchausen's syndrome by proxy, and sudden infant death syndrome.

Syndrome Issues Battered child syndrome The collection of injuries sustained as a result of repeated mistreatment or beatings continued on next slide

Syndrome Issues Investigating battered child syndrome Collect information about the injury that led to the report. Interview medical personnel. Review medical records. Interview caretakers. Consider statements caretakers made to others. Investigate scene where child was hurt. continued on next slide

Syndrome Issues Shaken baby syndrome Abuser violently shakes an infant or small child, creating a whiplash-type motion that causes acceleration-deceleration injuries.

Shaken Baby Syndrome Classic medical symptoms of shaken baby syndrome include: Retinal hemorrhaging, often bilaterally Subdural or subarachnoid hematomas Absence of other external signs of abuse Breathing difficulties Seizures Dilated pupils Lethargy or unconsciousness

Syndrome Issues Munchausen syndrome by proxy Parents or caretakers attempt to bring medical attention to themselves by inducing illness in their children. continued on next slide

Syndrome Issues Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) A diagnosis made when there is no other medical explanation for the abrupt death of an apparently healthy infant

Summarize the scope and prevalence of child sexual abuse. Learning Objective 13.5 Summarize the scope and prevalence of child sexual abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse Exploitation Incest The use of children for illegal activities such as prostitution and pornography Incest Sexual relations between children and a family member continued on next slide

Child Sexual Abuse Child sexual abuse The sexual molestation of children, as well as seduction and statutory rape

Explain the significance of the forensic interview. Learning Objective 13.6 Explain the significance of the forensic interview.

Child Sexual Assault Interview The forensic interview Initial Secondary continued on next slide

Child Sexual Assault Interview Forensic interviews are carefully controlled. Body language must remain neutral. Alternative explanation for a child's statements must be explored. Document the interview for court scrutiny. continued on next slide

Child Sexual Assault Interview Characteristics of child victims In the 8- to 16-year-old age group Unsupervised Unstable home environments Low or average income families Subject to abrupt mood changes Not necessarily delinquent Possess more money than normal Withdrawn from family and friends

Summarize the various problems associated with child exploitation. Learning Objective 13.7 Summarize the various problems associated with child exploitation.

Child Exploitation All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government have laws criminalizing the possession, manufacture, and distribution of child pornography. continued on next slide

Child Exploitation Child pornography is a form of child sexual exploitation, and each image graphically memorializes the sexual abuse of that child. continued on next slide

Child Exploitation Federal law prohibits the prostitution of children.

Chapter Summary Every year in the United States, thousands of children die from a variety of causes, including homicides. At least 30 states have either mandated or authorized implementation of multidisciplinary teams to investigate child maltreatment. continued on next slide

Chapter Summary Child physical abuse remains a serious problem involving a variety of acts resulting in injuries to a child. Uncovering cases of battered child syndrome and gathering evidence for successful prosecution can be difficult for law enforcement because it is a crime that is often hidden by its perpetrators. continued on next slide

Chapter Summary Experts suggest statistics underestimate the true incidence of child sexual abuse. The forensic interview is used during the assessment portion of a child abuse investigation and involves only the children who are the subject of the investigation. continued on next slide

Chapter Summary The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children acknowledges the definition of child exploitation as defined under federal law.