Creating Child Safe Environments

1. Creating Child Safe Environments Jack McCalmon, Esq. The McCalmon Group, Inc.

2. What is Child Abuse?

3. What is Child Abuse? • Child abuse is the physical or psychological mistreatment of a child by his or her parents (including adoptive parents), guardians, or other adults. While this term emphasizes on carrying out wrong acts, a related term is child neglect: not doing what is necessary, negligence.Source:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_abuse • Types of child abuse include: • Neglect (includes medical neglect) • Physical abuse • Sexual abuse • Emotional maltreatment • Other maltreatment as defined by state law

4. What is Child Abuse? An Abuse of Power and Trust

5. What is Child Sexual Abuse?

6. What is Child Sexual Abuse? • Sexual acts engaged in by prepubescent minors and adults. Source: www. wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_sexual_abuse • Two Elements are required: • Sexual activities involving a child; and, • An “abusive condition” such as coercion or a large age gap between the participants indicating a lack of consent. Source: Finkelhor, Current Information on Scope and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse, 1994

7. How Prevalent Is Child Abuse?

8. How Prevalent Is Child Abuse? • Reported/Confirmed Abuse • 906,000 children reported abused • Most from neglect • Approximately 90,000 from child sexual abuse Source: Child Maltreatment 2003; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003 • Not Reported Child Sexual Abuse • Estimated 20% of American women and 5% to 10% of American men experience child sexual abuse • Estimated 500,000 child victims per year/ 8.5 million children under the age of 17 Source: Finkelhor, Current Information on Scope and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse, 1994

9. How Prevalent Is Child Sexual Abuse? • CDC says “child maltreatment” is a public health issue • Estimated 8.5 million children (1-17 years) sexually abused in U.S. versus estimated 950,000 adults and children with HIV in U.S. HIV Source: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/usa_statistics.html • 906,000/90,000 confirmed cases of child abuse and child sexual abuse versus 1,214 juvenile kidnappings (>1% of all juvenile crimes) Kidnapping Source: D. Finkelhor and R. Ormrod, Kidnapping of Juveniles: Pattern from NIBRS, June 2000.

10. Why Isn’t Abuse Reported?

11. Why Isn’t Abuse Reported? • Children rarely report sexual abuse • 79% deny or are tentative in disclosure • 22% recant their disclosure once admitted Source: Sorensen & Snow, 1991 Study • Recent studies suggest that 50% to 60% percent of deaths from abuse or neglect are not reported Source: Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: Statistics and Interventions, NAIC, April 2004, studies performed in Colorado and North Carolina. • Only one out of three rapes/sexual assaults are reported Source: Greenfeld, Sex Offenses and Offenders, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1997

12. Child Abuse Fear of: Reprisal Against themselves Against loved ones Destroying the Family Being responsible for the family destruction Being Ignored Child Sexual Abuse Same Fears but add: Being Blamed They brought on the abuse Being Ridiculed Being Caught Using drugs Using alcohol Viewing pornography Losing a Loved One Being Wrong Being Examined Sexual guilt Why Isn’t Abuse Reported?

13. What Are the Harms of Abuse?

14. What Are the Harms of Abuse? • Child Abuse • 1,400 children died from neglect/abuse in 2002Source: Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: Statistics and Interventions, NAIC, 2004 • Child Sexual Abuse • Law enforcement statistics show that victims younger than 18 years old constitute: • 46% of forcible rapes. • 84% of forcible fondling. • 79% of forcible sodomy. • 75% of sexual assault with an objectSource: Snyder, Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident and Offender Characteristics, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000. • Suicide rate among boys sexually abused is 1.5 to 14 times higherSource: Pandora’s Box citing Dr. William Holmes. Univ. Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 1998.

15. What Are the Harms of Abuse? • Child Abuse • One-third of parents who have experienced maltreatment will victimize their own children Source: Child Maltreatment Fact Sheet: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2005), citing Fromm, 2001. • 95% of child victimizers report being physically or sexually abused as childrenSource: Greenfield, Child Victimizers: Violent Offenders and Their Victims, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1996 • Child Sexual Abuse • 25% of women in state prison report being sexually abused before age 18 Source: Prior Abuse Reported by Inmates and Probationers, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1999. • 95% of teenage prostitutes were sexually abusedSource: Pandora’s Box citing CCPCA, 1992.

16. What Are the Harms of Abuse? • Child Sexual Abuse • 54% of rapes occur before the victim turns 18Source: Sexual Violence Fact Sheet: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2004), citing Tjaden and Thoennes, 2000. • 32,000 pregnancies from rape each year.Source: Sexual Violence Fact Sheet: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2004), citing Holmes, 1996. • Women who are raped before the age of 18 are twice as likely to be raped as adults compared to those without a history of abuse.Source: Sexual Violence Fact Sheet: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2004), citing Tjaden and Thoennes, 2000.

17. What Are the Harms of Abuse? • $24.3 Billion in Direct Costs • Hospitalization: $6.2 billion • Chronic Health Problems: $2.9 billion • Mental Health Care: $425 million • Child Welfare System: $14.4 billion • Law Enforcement: $24 million • Judicial System: $341 million • $69.9 Billion in Indirect Costs • Special Education: $223 million • Mental Heath and Health Care: $4.6 billion • Juvenile Delinquency: $8.8 billion • Lost Productivity: $656 million • Adult Criminality: $55 billion • Total: $94 Billion Source: Fromm, Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States, Statistical Evidence, 2001. Chart Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/overview.htm#2; http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/economic_costs/economic_costs.pdf

18. What Are the Long-Term Harms of Sexual Violence?

19. What Are the Long-Term Harms of Sexual Violence? • Depression • Suicide • Attempted suicide • Alienation • Post-traumatic stress disorder • Eating disorders • Sleep disturbances • Strained family relationships • Divorce • High risk sexual behavior • Substance abuse • Migraines • Gynecological and pregnancy complications • Gastrointestinal disorders • Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Sources: Child Maltreatment: Fact Sheet, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2005), citing DHHS 2001 and Sexual Violence: Fact Sheet, NCIPC (2004)

20. Do All Victims of Sexual Abuse Suffer Long-Term Consequences?

21. Do All Victims of Sexual Abuse Suffer Long-Term Consequences? • Most experts believe that children who are abused suffer from some form of trauma • Some non-conventional arguments and one study claim that there is less correlation to harm depending on “consent” or that the harm is primarily due to poor family response or family environmentSource: Rind et al., A meta-analytic examination of assumed properties of child sexual abuse, Psychological Bulletin, American Psychological Association, 1998, see also,www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rind_et_al. • The majority holds that a child can never provide“knowledgeable or informed consent” to an adult

22. Who Are the Likely Victims of Child Abuse?

23. Who Are the Likely Victims of ChildAbuse?

24. True or False: Males Commit Most Child Abuse?

25. True or False: Males Commit Most Child Abuse? • Child Abuse • Females commit 58.2% of child abuseSource: Child Maltreatment 2003, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003 • Child Sexual Abuse • Males commit between 80% and 90% of child sexual abuseSource: Finkelhor, Current Information on Scope and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse, 1994 • Males commit approximately 96% of sexual assault Source: Snyder, Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident and Offender Characteristics, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000 • Some experts suggest that female abuse is under-reported Source: Finkelhor, Current Information on Scope and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse, 1994

26. True or False: Parents Commit Most Child Abuse?

27. True or False: Parents Commit Most Child Abuse? • Child Abuse • Parents commit nearly 80% of child abuse • Other relatives commit 6.4% • Child Sexual Abuse • 75% of child sexual abuse reported involves friends or neighbors • Less than 3% of parents are reported to commit child sexual abuseSource: Child Maltreatment 2003, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003 • 34.2% of persons convicted of sexual assault against juveniles were family members, 58.7% acquaintances and 7% strangers Source: Snyder, Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident and Offender Characteristics, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000 • Children Know the Perpetrator More Than 90% of the Time

28. True or False: Homosexuals and Pedophiles Commit Most Child Sexual Abuse?

29. Most abuse is by heterosexuals Most perpetrators are heterosexual Over 90% are “recognizable heterosexual”Source: Jenny, C., T. Roesler and K. Poyer. "Are Children at Risk for Sexual Abuse by Homosexuals?" Pediatrics. vol. 94, no. 1. Large percentage of abusers have a heterosexual relationship with close relative of the victim Source: National Research Council, Understanding Child Abuse Neglect, Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1993. Most abuse is by situational offenders Abuse by pedophiles is between 2-10%Source: Kinsey-Report, Lautmann, Brongersma, Groth Who is a pedophile? Pedophila: A condition in which an adult, usually male, is sexually attracted primarily to pre-pubertal children -- those aged 13 years or under. Ephebophila:A condition in which an adult, usually male, is sexually attracted to young people about the age of puberty. Hebephilia: A condition in which an adult, usually male, is sexually attracted to post-pubertal adolescents (14 to 17). Source: www.religioustolerance.org True or False: Homosexuals and Pedophiles Commit Most Child Sexual Abuse?

30. True or False: Only Adults Are Considered Sexual Predators?

31. True or False: Only Adults Are Considered Sexual Predators? • Juveniles are estimated to commit 40% of reported sexual assaults against children ages six and under and 39% of sexual assaults against children ages 6 through 11. Source: Snyder, H.N. Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics, U.S. Department of Justice, 2000. • Nearly half of the babysitter sex offenders were juveniles. Source: Finkelhor and Ormrod, Crimes Against Children by Babysitters, Juvenile Justice Bulletin, 2001.

32. True or False: All Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse Are the Same?

33. Criminal psychology lists three offender classifications: Regressed offenders are primarily attracted to their own age group but are passively aroused by minors (pseudo-pedophiles also referred to as situational offenders) Attraction to children is not recognized or is suppressed They often“act out” on children because boundaries have been compromised because of alcohol, drugs, depression or because no suitable adult is present They may offend because their position of power permits them to do so. Fixated offenders are most often adult pedophiles who are maladaptive to accepted social norms. They develop compatibility and self-esteem issues, stunting their social growth. They often act like children. Most fixated offenders prefer members of the same sex. Only 2-10% of offenders are fixated Sadistic offenders are very rare and inherently violent criminals. They primarily use sexuality as a tool of sadistic suppression and not for sexual satisfaction. Sadistic offenders are not considered pedophiles. Source:www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_sexual_abuse True or False: All Perpetrators of Child Sexual AbuseAre the Same?

34. True or False: Sex Offenders Are More Likely to Be Rearrested?

35. True or False: Sex Offenders Are More Likely to Be Rearrested? • 3.3% of child molesters released in 1994 were rearrested for another sex crime against a child within three years. • 5.3% were arrested for committing other sex crimes, including child sex crimes. • Average sentence: 8 years • Average served: 3.5 years Source: 5 Percent of Sex Offenders Rearrested For Another Sex Crime within 3 Years of Prison Release, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003.

36. Strategies for Preventing Child Abuse?

37. Training the Masses • Train • All personnel that work with children • Enforce best practice methods when working with children • What works • Online training

38. YES, IF YOU USE THE THREE PROTECTION STEPS WATCH + LISTEN + ACT! = SAFE KIDS

39. PREVENTION STEP ONE:WATCH

40. WATCH for Victim Red Flags • Physical Signs of Child Victims of Physical Abuse • Bruising and Welts • Broken bones • Burns • Cuts • Bites • Fading bruises after being away from school • Physical Signs of Child Neglect • Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses • Consistently dirty or has severe body odor • Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather Source: Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms, NAIC, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003

41. WATCH for Victim Red Flags • Physical signs of sexual abuse • May show same signs of physical abuse • Other physical signs: • Vaginal or rectal bleeding • Genital pain • Itching, swelling or discharge • Difficulty with bowel movements • Painful urination • Reoccurring complaints of stomachaches or headaches • Trauma to breasts, buttocks, lower abdomen or extremities • Sexual diseases • Pregnancy • Trouble walking or sitting • Self-mutilation Source: Id. and Finkel, M.A., Giardino, A.P. Medical Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse: A Practical Guide, Sage Publications, 2001

42. Behavioral Signs of Physical Abuse Is frightened of parents Protests or cries when it is time to go home Often absent from school Shrinks at the approach of adults Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver Source: Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms, NAIC, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003 Behavioral Signs of Neglect Is frequently absent from school Begs or steals food or money Abuses alcohol or other drugs States that there is no one at home to provide care WATCH for Victim Red Flags

43. Behavioral Signs of Child Sexual Abuse Victim Extreme changes in behavior Eating disorders Withdrawal Aggressiveness Suddenly refuses to change for gym or participate in physical activities Regression to infantile behavior Multiple personalities Delinquent behavior Falling grades Poor concentration Hypervigilance Source: Id. and Finkel, M.A., Giardino, A.P. Medical Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse: A Practical Guide, Sage Publications, 2001:Fact Sheet: Child Sexual Abuse, Prevent Child Abuse America, 1999 Behavioral Signs of Child Sexual Abuse Victim (cont.) Reports nightmares or bedwetting Shows bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior Touches other children, teachers or adults in a sexual manner Runs away Poor hygiene Depression Unusual attraction to or fear of adults WATCH for Victim Red Flags

44. Behavioral Signs of Parents and adult caregivers who physically abuse their children: Offer conflicting, unconvincing or no explanation for a child’s injury Describe the child as “bad” or “evil” Uses harsh physical discipline Have history of abuse Behavioral Signs of Parents and adult caregivers that neglect their children: Appear indifferent to their children Seem apathetic or depressed Behave irrationally or in a bizarre manner Abuse drugs or alcohol Source: Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms, NAIC, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003 WATCH for Abuser Red Flags

45. WATCH for Abuser Red Flags • Behavioral Signs of Parents and other adult caregivers who sexually abuse their children: • Unduly protective of the child • Severely limit the child’s contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex • Secretive • Isolated • Jealous or controlling with family members Source: Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms, NAIC, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003

46. Behavioral Signs ofother relatives and acquaintances who are sexually violent/abusive toward children: Alcohol and drug use Coercive sexual fantasies Impulsive and antisocial tendencies Preference for impersonal sex Hyper-masculinity Hostility toward women Childhood history of sexual or physical abuse Witnessed family violence Association with sexually aggressive and delinquent peers Emotionally unsupportive familial environments Strong patriarchal relationship or familial environment Excessive talk about sexual activities of children or teens Excessive masturbation Excessive talk about sexual fantasies about children Encouragement of secrets in a child Viewing of child pornography Requests of adult partners to dress or act like a child during sex Excessive time spent with children or teens versus with adults Identification of children with sexual slang terms Sources: Sexual Violence Fact Sheet: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2004); Preventing Child Sexual Abuse, Prevent Child Abuse America, 2005 WATCH for Abuser Red Flags

47. WATCH for Abuser Red Flags • A significant warning sign is a desire to have a children away from safe adults • Safe adults must not be present if the crime is to be committed • To meet this goal: • An abuser must select a victim • The conditions for abuse must be right • An abuser must “groom” a parent or caregiver to have time with the victim away from safe adults

48. WATCH for Abuser Red Flags • Selecting a Victim • Offender selects victim candidates that: • Abuser has a physical attraction to • Do not shy away from touches, including inappropriate touches • Are needy for love and affection • Troubled families • Single parents • Will not tell or will not be believed • Troubled children • Children with disabilities

49. WATCH for Abusive Conditions • Abusive Conditions exist when: • The child’s partner has a large age or maturational advantage over the child; or • The child’s partner is in a position of authority or in a caretaking relationship with the child; or • The activities are carried out against the child using force or trickery. Source: Finkelhor, Current Information on Scope and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse, 1994

50. WATCH for Abusive Conditions • The Internet • Provides unsafe adults access to children outside parental control • Boundaries are abandoned or compromised • Low chance of being caught • 1 in 5 youths receives a sexual approach or solicitation over the Internet • 1 in 33 were asked to meet a predator in some location or received calls, correspondence, money or gifts from the predator • Only 25% minors propositioned reported the approach to a parent Source: Internet Crimes Against Children, U.S. Department of Justice, 2004 citing 1999 Finkelhor Study