1. Chapter 11 Crimes against Children Hess 11-1

2. Introduction Throughout history, children have endured physical violence During the industrial, urban and machine ages, exploitation of child labor was common Mistreating children was considered a family matter Crimes against children include maltreatment, sexual exploitation, trafficking and abduction Hess 11-2

3. TYPES OF MALTREATMENT Maltreatment means to treat roughly or abuse Neglect Physical abuse Emotional abuse Sexual abuse Hess 11-3 Maltreatment of Children: Neglect and Abuse

4. MALTREATMENT STATISTICS Birth to 1 year had highest rate of victimization Victimization was split between the sexes More than 75 percent of victims suffered neglect More than 15 percent of victims suffered physical abuse Hess 11-4 Extent of the Problem

5. CHILD FATALITIES IN 2009 Estimated 1,770 children died 2.34 deaths per 100,000 children Four-fifths were younger than 4 years old One-third attributed to neglect exclusively One-third caused by multiple maltreatment types Hess 11-5 Children as Victims of Violent Crime

6. RESULTING DAMAGE Serious and permanent damage  Physical, mental and emotional Future violent and criminal behavior Intergenerational transmission of violence Hess 11-6 Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect

7. INCREASED CHANCES Children younger than 4 years of age Special needs children History of child maltreatment in family Substance abuse Parental characteristics Concentrated neighborhood disadvantage Hess 11-7 Risk Factors for Child Maltreatment

8. OVERVIEW Typically child abuse and neglect laws have three components:  Criminal definitions and penalties  Mandate to report suspected cases  Civil process for removing the child from the abusive or neglectful environment Hess 11-8 Child Abuse and Neglect Laws

9. FEDERAL LEGISLATION Courts often determine punishment as reasonable STATE LAWS Every state has enacted child abuse and neglect laws States offer a bit more protection to children What is “reasonable” varies from state to state Hess 11-9 Child Abuse and Neglect Laws

10. CHILD WELFARE Child protective services (CPS) agencies Acts on behalf of a child Parents are unable or unwilling to do so Provides protective custody Formal investigation is required frequently Hess 11-10 Case Processing

11. PROTECTING THE CHILD Possibility of present or continued danger exists Child must be removed into protective custody NEED TO INVOLVE OTHER AGENCIES Traditionally conducted separately Multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach Hess 11-11 Challenges in Investigating Child Maltreatment Cases

12. DIFFICULTY IN INTERVIEWING CHILDREN Consider child’s age Ability to describe event Potential retaliation for “telling” CREDIBILITY CONCERNS Must protect the innocent and falsely accused Hess 11-12 Challenges in Investigating Child Maltreatment Cases

13. REPORT SUBMISSIONS Most reports of child neglect or abuse are made by third parties  Teachers  Physicians  Neighbors  Siblings or parents Hess 11-13 The Initial Report

14. INTERVIEWING ABUSED CHILDREN Requires special skills Obtain background information Direct Honest Understanding Professional Hess 11-14 The Police Response

15. OBSERVATIONS Surroundings Home conditions Clothing Bruises or other body injuries Medical examination report Hess 11-15 Evidence

16. INDICATORS Physical or behavioral or both Neglect Emotional abuse Physical abuse Sexual abuse Hess 11-16 Evidence

17. PARENT AS SUSPECT Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen by proxy syndrome Osteogenesis imperfecta Sudden infant death syndrome Investigating child fatalities Hess 11-17 The Suspect

18. SEX CRIMES BY OTHER CHILDREN Do not dismiss Investigate thoroughly THE NONPARENT SUSPECT Misoped Hebephile Pedophile or chicken hawk Hess 9-18 The Suspect

19. OVERVIEW No specific demographic for a child predator An expert in selecting and enticing young people Most rarely use force Involved in activities with easy access to children Situational and preferential Pedophilia is a sex offense in all states Hess 11-19 The Pedophile

20. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE RINGS Solo sex rings Transition sex rings Syndicated sex rings RITUALISTIC ABUSE BY SATANIC CULTS Certain cults involve sexual abuse of children Hess 11-20 The Pedophile

21. VICTIMOLOGY Positive offender-victim bond OFFENDER REACTIONS Complete denial Minimizing the acts Justifying the acts and blaming the victims Claiming to be sick Hess 11-21 The Pedophile

22. COMMERCE Pornography Child Protection Act (1984) Internet sex crimes against children Models to combat exploitation  Special task forces  Strike forces and law enforcement networks Continued Hess 11-22 Commercial Sexual Exploitation

23. COMMERCE Federal agencies working against child pornography International initiatives Prostitution of juveniles Trafficking of children Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) Hess 11-23 Commercial Sexual Exploitation (Continued)

24. OVERVIEW Determining runaway or abduction is a challenge Parental abduction is most frequent Runaway children  Insecure and depressed  Unhappy and impulsive Abducted children  Often kidnapped Hess 11-24 Missing Children: Runaway or Abducted?

25. AMBER ALERT PLAN Voluntary partnership between law enforcement and broadcasters Nationwide alert system for abducted children BEYOND AMBER ALERT AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Child Abduction Response Team (CART) Team HOPE Hess 11-25 Missing Children: Runaway or Abducted?

26. PROVIDING TESTIMONY Give preference on the docket Some courts permit videotaping Limiting privileges for repeat examinations Some courts remove the accused from courtroom Courtroom preparation techniques Hess 11-26 Children as Witnesses in Court

27. CHILD ABUSERS Any race, age or occupation Someone close or a complete stranger Online predators Children are unaware Children need adequate information Hess 11-27 Preventing Crimes against Children

28. Summary Crimes against children include:  Maltreatment (neglect and abuse)  Sexual exploitation (pornography and prostitution)  Trafficking and abduction May be prevented by educating children about potential danger Keeping the channels of communication open Hess 11-28