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Jenna’s Law House Bill 1041. Sexual Assault/Child Sexual Abuse. Jenna’s Law. What is sexual abuse? Any sexual act between an adult and a minor OR between two minors when one has “POWER ” over the other. What the law says? .
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Jenna’s Law House Bill 1041 Sexual Assault/Child Sexual Abuse
Jenna’s Law • What is sexual abuse? • Any sexual act between an adult and a minor • OR • between two minors when one has “POWER” over the other
What the law says? • Individuals 17 years and younger can’t have any sexual contact with anyone who 3 or more years apart. • Individuals 14 years and younger cant give consent for ANY sexual contact
Jenna’s Law • Other forms of sexual assault/sexual abuse include: • Forcing, coercing or persuading a child to engage in Any type of sex act. • AND / OR • Indirect or Non-contact • AND/ OR • Communicating in a sexual manner
Jenna’s Law • Another form of sexual assault or sexual abuse occurs when: • An individual is intoxicated or impaired
Jenna’s Law • Noncontact sexual abuse offenses include: • Solicitation of child pornography • Transmission of child pornography • Possession of child pornography
Jenna’s Law • Points to Ponder: • You’ve been warned!!! • IF you engage in ANY of these offenses, you could be prosecuted in juvenile or adult court. • You don’t get to decide what’s OK to send. The law has already established that.
Jenna’s Law • Just the Facts! • Did you know???.... • 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. • In an average size classroom…6 girls and 4 boys
Jenna’s Law More Statistics… • 1 in 5 Children are sexually solicited while on the internet. • Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults happen to children ages 17 years old or younger.
Jenna’s Law • Who are the victims?... • Males and females • Children from infancy to age 18 • Any race, ethnicity, or religion • Diverse social and economic backgrounds • Do not look any different from other children
Jenna’s Law • Who are the offenders?... • 94% of offenders were someone the victim knew • 61% of all offenders in Denton County are family members • 27% of offenders in Denton County are ‘UNDER” the age of 18 • 65% of offenders in Denton County are between the ages of 18 and 55
Jenna’s Law • Impact of Sexual Abuse: (Symptoms may appear in one extreme or the other) *Changes in sleep habits *Changes in eating habits *Changes in appearance, style of dress, and/or hygiene *Suspicious and mistrustful of others *Highly sexualized talk and behavior *Decline in grades *Tearful, weepy, angry or hostile *Nightmares *Depression and/or anxiety *Low self-esteem
Jenna’s Law • More facts on the Impact of Sexual Abuse: • 70% to 80% of sexual abuse survivors report excessive drug and/or alcohol abuse • Young girls who are sexually abused are more likely to develop eating disorders as adolescents • Males and females who have been sexually abused are more likely to engage in prostitution • Among male survivors, 50% have suicidal thoughts and more than 20% attempt suicide
Jenna’s Law • Who should tell? • If someone is abusing you, you must tell an adult! • If your friend has told you he or she is being abused, tell an adult. • If you suspect someone you know is being abused, tell an adult.
Jenna’s Law • Who should I tell? *A trusted adult* • Parent/Guardian • Counselor • Police • School administrator • Teacher *DHS.CaresAbout.us*
Jenna’s Law • What happens after I report? • An adult must make a report to Child Protective Services (CPS) • Local police will begin an investigation • The Children’s Advocacy Center of Denton County will conduct an interview
Jenna’s Law What happens after I tell?... • Counseling services will be provided for the victim and his/her family • A court case may be pursued by the District Attorney‘s office.
Jenna’s Law False Reporting: ….What? Yes, it does happen. ***Falsely reporting sexual abuse (or any alleged crime) is a criminal offense! ***You can be punished for making up a claim of abuse or lying about the details to the investigators!
Jenna’s Law • Here’s the legal deal about false reporting: • Texas Penal Code 37.08 • ‘False statement to a Peace Officer or Law Enforcement Employee’ • Class B misdemeanor • Punishment: 180 in jail and/or $2000 fine
Jenna’s Law • Resources and Acknowledgements: • Children’s Advocacy Center • 1854 Cain Drive Lewisville, Texas • Phone: (972) 317-2818 • Friends of the Family • (provides emergency shelter and counseling for teens and their families) • Phone: (940) 387-5131 • Crisis Line: 1 (800) 572-4031 -Texas Youth Hotline 1 (800) 210-2278 -Stop it now 1(888) 773-8368 -RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) 1(800) 656-HOPE -Darkness to Light National Hotline 1(866) 367-5444
Jenna’s Law Acknowledgements • Denton County Children's Advocacy Center • Denton County Friends of the Family • Denton ISD Counseling Staff • Darkness to Light National Network • Parentkids.com • Advocates for Youth • United States Dept. of Veterans Affairs • Helpguide.org • American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry • Child Trauma Academy • RAINN