Chapter 10 Crimes against Children

Extent of the Problem Since 1986, the number of children who are reported to be abused, neglected and endangered every year has nearly doubled to almost 1 million each year. In 2000, 3 million referrals concerning five million children were made to CPS (Child Protective Services).

Types of Crimes Against Children Kidnapping Abandonment Neglect Exploitation Physical Abuse Emotional Abuse Incest Sexual Assault

Terminology Minor: A child under the age of 16 or 18 Sexual Seduction: Sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, cunnilingus or fellatio committed by a non-minor with a consenting minor. Molestation: Any act motivated by unnatural or abnormal sexual interest in minors that would reasonably be expected to disturb, irritate or offend the victim.

Effects of Child Abuse Emotional and Behavior Disorders Teen Pregnancy Prostitution Substance Abuse Delinquency and Criminality

Challenges in Investigating Crimes Against Children The need to protect the child from further harm The possibility of parental involvement The difficulty of interviewing children Credibility Concerns The need to collaborate with other agencies

Justifications for Placing a Child in Protective Custody The child’s age, or physical or mental condition makes the child incapable of self-protection. The home’s physical environment poses an immediate threat to the child. The child needs immediate medical or psychiatric care. The parents cannot or will not provide for the child’s basic needs. Maltreatment in the home could permanently damage the child physically or emotionally. The parents may abandon the child.

Children Lie Motivations for Lying Revenge Efforts to Avoid School Parental Disapproval Efforts to cover-up other Disapproved Behavior Attempt to explain a pregnancy or abortion

Evidence of Child Abuse and Neglect Cases Home Conditions Clothing Bruises Medical Examination Report Photographs Ropes or Tapes Trace Evidence: Hair and Semen

Physical Indicators of Child Neglect and Abuse Frequent Hunger Poor Hygiene Inappropriate Dress Consistent Lack of Supervision Unattended Physical Problems or Medical Needs Abandonment

Behavioral Indicators of Child Neglect and Abuse Begging Stealing Food Extending School Days Constant fatigue Poor Performance in School Truancy Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse Delinquency: Stealing Stating there is no one at home to care for them

Emotional Indicators of Child Neglect and Abuse Speech disorders Lags in Physical Development General Failure to Thrive

Physical Abuse Indicators Unexplained Bruises or Welts Burns Fractures Lacerations Abrasions

Behavioral Indicators of Physical Abuse Being wary of Adults Being apprehensive when other children cry Extreme aggressiveness or withdrawal Being frightened of parents Being afraid to go home

Parental Indicators of Physical Abuse Contradictory explanations for a child’s injury Attempts to conceal a child’s injury Routine use of harsh, unreasonable discipline inappropriate to the child’s age Poor impulse control

Physical Indicators of Sexual Abuse Difficulty Urinating Irritation or bruising of the genital area Venereal disease Pregnancies

Behavioral Indicators of Sexual Abuse Unwillingness to change clothes at school Withdrawal, fantasy or infantile behavior Bizarre sexual behavior Poor peer relationships Delinquent or runaway Reports of being sexually assaulted

The Suspect in abuse or neglect of children under five Father 32% Mother 30% Male acquaintance23% Other relatives 6% Stranger 3%

Munchausen Syndrome Munchausen Syndrome involves self- induced or self-inflected injuries. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy is a form of child abuse in which a parent (usually the mother) deliberately provides false medical histories, manufactures evidence and causes medical distress in a child.

Other Non-criminal Explanations of Injuries Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)