Introduction Sexual assault of children by adults is an epidemic that has reached significant proportion. According to Raymond Webster PhD, child sexual abuse “is typically defined as involving either actual physical or nonphysical contact experiences between a child and an adult in which the child is subjected to sexually based exploitation, humiliation, or degradation (Webster, 2004). “The sexual abuse and exploitation of children is one of the most vicious crimes conceivable, a violation of mankind’s most basic duty to protect the innocent, James T. Walsh (2011).” As parents and caregivers it is our most valuable role to always remain proactive when protecting our children’s virtue and purity. This type of harm, inflicted upon a …show more content…
In an attempt to deter children from disclosing the abuse, predators will threaten harm towards the child or their family members. Over the years these children may repress their feelings and as they grow older the memories can lead to depression and other psychological problems. According to the DSM-IV-TR, “the paraphilic focus of Pedophilia involves sexual activity with a prepubescent child (generally age 13 years or younger). The individual with Pedophilia must be age 16 years or older and at least 5 years older than the child. (A) Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally 13 years or younger). (B) The person has acted on these sexual urges, or the sexual urges or fantasies cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulty. (C) The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in criterion A (DSM-IV-TR, 2000).” The most effective treatment option for pedophilic behavior is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention programs. CBT uses conditioning-based approaches and can be used in combination with medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSIRs) or anti depressants (Lecture Notes). CBT will help the abuser with issues such as cognitive abilities, decision making
As time progresses on, more reports of child sexual abuse (CSA) have been documented. According to Colangelo and Cooperman, CSA is defined as “the use of a child under 18 years of age as an object of gratification for adult sexual needs and desires.” Another definition of CSA is “sexual abuse [that] occurs whenever one person dominates and exploits another by means of sexual activity or suggestion.” (Hall, M., & Hall, J., 2011) it is difficult to
When most people hear the phrase sexual abuse we all have a tendency to assume the victim is a female. It is only a myth that males are not sexually assaulted, or that it only happens in while incarcerated. Sexual assaults can happen to anyone no matter their age, sex, orientation, or even identity. In fact, in between 9-10% of all male rape survivors outside of prisons are male and 16% of men have experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18. These reports are only an estimate because most male survivors of sexual abuse will either never report it or they encounter barriers while trying to report it. (Male Survivors of Sexual Assault, 2015) “The U.S. Department of Justice records an average of greater than 12,000 reported sexual assaults of men annually, and predicts that if unreported assaults are included, the actual number of men who are sexually assaulted in the United States each year is approximately 60,000.” (Male Survivors of Sexual Assault, 2015)
In America, sexual assault is increasing on campuses. Colleges and Universities are insanely lenient with the policies of sexual assault and misconduct. Undergraduates get the worse since they are new and don’t expect it to happen to them. Date rape drugs are being used more often than any other type of assault. Over half of victims don’t report the assault, because they don’t believe it’s critical enough. Others never get justice for the crimes the rapist commits. “A relatively small percentage of students believe it is very or extremely likely they will experience sexual assault or misconduct. A larger percentage of students believe that sexual assault
Women face mostly the maximum rate of dating violence. One in five women will be a victim of sexual assault while they are in college. One in nine girls will be forced against their will to have sex. One in ten will be hurt on purpose by someone they are dating. Men also go through these assaults the number of victims are fewer but nevertheless greatly essential.
The current problem is the continued rise in child abuse and neglect today. Within the United States, the problem of child abuse and neglect is far much common than most people would like to admit. Sanchez (2012) stated that child maltreatment is a global epidemic and a major social problem in the United States resulting in at least 740, 000 visits to hospital emergency departments and more than $124 in child welfare, criminal justice, and health care. Norman, Byambaa, De, Butchart, Scott, and Vos (2012) also observed that child abuse and neglect is a global problem that is mostly perpetrated by parental guardians and parents. Sexual abuse is the infringement of a child’s
In comparison to other types of cases, child abuse cases have distinctive characteristics that make them different. For example, children make “perfect” victims (ncjrs). Children are usually unable to defend or protect themselves due to their mental and physical developmental levels. Other relating factors include that children do not feel comfortable disclosing the abuse, or they only feel the need to tell part of the actual story. Referring back to the fact that most cases involve children knowing their perpetrator has a prime effect on children disclosing the abuse. An emotional bond often exists between the child and the offender, and
On April 5th, 2016 at approximately 10:00 AM, I, Investigator James Poffel was assigned a case in reference to a possible sexual assault of a 6 year old boy, Kevin Baptiste. The reporting party was Pershing Elementary School staff.
Although no one is perfect, it is important that parents put their children into consideration when acting upon certain situations. Children are the future of America and every child deserves to have all the tools necessary to succeed in life. In some cases, the physical effects are temporary; however, the pain and suffering can cause long term effects such as anxiety and depression as their brain matures. All forms of abuse take effect on a child’s outlook on life and are equally damaging. Children have the ability to become an extraordinary individual who can one day change the world.
Sexual abuse constitutes a serious violation of children’s rights and human dignity. Sexual abuse occurs when a person uses their power over a child, and involves the child in any sexual act. The power of the abuser lies in their age, advantage, superiority of intellectual or physical development, or in a relationship of authority with
As Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, I am writing to request that the Rules Committee establish a rule to allow for the admissibility of certain evidence of similar behavior by the defendant in sexual assault and child molestation cases. The adoption of such a rule will effectively end the current disunion between the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Maryland Rules of Evidence.
Sexual behaviors and experimentation are very much a part of childhood development. Normative sexual behaviors of children consists of preschool children poking others bodies, and being interested in bathroom functions, while children ages 5 to 7 years are telling dirty jokes, kissing, and holding hands, and children ages 8 to 12 years, are mooning and exhibitionism, kissing, and touching others’ genitals (Caldwell, 2007). However when children are not supervised appropriately they are capable of sexually harming other children. Adolescents are accountable for perpetrating 20% of all sexual assaults, along with 50% of all child sexual abuse cases (Keelan & Fremouw, 2013). However in considering that statistic some sexual harming behaviors can be within the parameters of normal child behavior, and sometimes rarely signal predatory inclinations (Caldwell, 2007). The vast majority of youth harmful sexual acts are manifestations of non-sexual feelings. In fact, many mental health care professionals have found that much of the behavior classified as sex offenses should not necessarily be considered predatory. Therapists point out that many sexual offenses are carried out by naïve experimenters who are overly impulsive and/or immature adolescents that sometimes engage in sexual experimentation (Smith, Wampler, Jones, & Reifman, 2005). Examining the sexual behavior along with the age of the perpetrator and victim helps classify whether or not those behaviors fall
I choose this topic because sexual assault is one of the most offensive crimes committed in our society. Not only is it a threat to the community, but it has a physically and psychologically effect on the victim in many ways. For the last couple of decades, sexual assault, rape, and child molestation has become the focal point of public concerns today. According to a 1993 National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, about 500,000 rapes or sexual assaults occur each year (Statistics, March 2010). The Department of Justice states that, “rape crimes have risen nearly three times as fast as the total crime rate”, although other studies have shown statistics that are in
Tom sat on the sofa, his shoulders hunched forward, his eyes staring listlessly into space. In his hands, a forgotten cup of coffee trembled violently, the lukewarm liquid spilling over his fingers. He hadn’t uttered a single word since his impassioned attempt to justify Booker’s assault, and as the minutes ticked by, his silence only added to Doug’s concerns. Although not an expert, as a cop, Penhall understood about trauma, and fearing his friend was going into shock, he made the decision to call 911. With an ambulance on its way, he dialed a second number, and after a brief conversation, he hung up. Turning his attention to Tom, he wondered how to proceed. While he wanted to offer comfort, he honestly did not know what to say. How did you console the victim of sexual assault when the perpetrator was a trusted colleague you worked side by side with day in day out? He was out of his depth and terrified of making matters worse, but he knew he needed to do something other than making a cup of coffee, and approaching Tom, he squatted down and laid a hand on his knee. “How ya doin’, buddy?”
Pedophilia is an ever growing problem in the United States, and is on an increase sense the new age of technology. Pedophilic disorder is diagnosed according to the DSM-5 as when an adult derives sexual gratification through contact with children or the want to have sexual conduct with a child which may cause that person severe distress. Criteria for this disorder is very specific to ages, it states that that person has to be at least 16 years old (not legal adult age) and must be at least five years older than the child. The criteria also states that for at least six months the person must have recurrent and intense sexual arousing and other things of that nature. The person has acted on his or her urges as well. A person who has
Sexual abuse to children happens across every socioeconomic status, ethnic, cultural, religion and education. Getting treatment for a victim of child sexual abuse is a difficult process because of the lack of trust by the child. When child sexual abuse occurs the victim’s family has a difficult time talking about the abuse, which leads to the family pretending the abuse never happened. Once the family