While I would agree with the context of the topic, I disagree with calling family members or close acquaintances "Predators or Predatory." Such use distorts the meaning of the word as well as the definition found in relevant federal law:
"Title 42, 14071(a)(3)(E) The term “predatory” means an act directed at a stranger, or a person with whom a relationship has been established or promoted for the primary purpose of victimization." .
8-23-2009 National:
Sexual predators are often someone who is familiar with the child as a relative or close family friend--not usually strangers. The perpetrator has inside knowledge into the world of the child and can exploit and manipulate them into sexual submission and silence much easier than someone who is not well acquainted with the child. Because families rarely report suspicion of abuse from their own relatives; the child is at greater risk to be repeatedly abused by the person who sits across the table from them at family gatherings and holidays. Holiday gatherings with a relative or family friend who has a stronger appetite for children than pumpkin pie, is a dangerous situation for the child who is being targeted for sexual exploitation. Adding alcohol to the mix only increases the risk taking activities of the sex offender.
The predator is normally trusted by other family members and given private moments alone with the child--where the sexual abuse can be a single incident, like an inappropriate comment, caress or kiss, to full blown and repeated molestation, rape and incest. The more severe the abuse, the more likely the child will be subject to silencing tactics such as shaming, exploiting guilt, emotional blackmail, threats of harm to themselves or other family members, mind control, manipulation and other fear games. The fact that stimulation of the sex organs brings physical pleasure can be a weapon in the hands of the predator--blaming the child for wanting or enjoying the sexual encounters. A predator may tell the child that they attracted the sexual attention by dressing too provocatively or standing too closely--shifting or sharing the blame with the child.
The relative or family friend may excuse themselves to read a bedtime story to the child or to help them draw their bath water and get them into their pajamas for bed. Perhaps they offer to drive a pre-teen to a friends house or take a child to the park or movies. The parents may see these things as kind gestures that relieve them of their parental responsibilities and duties. Sadly the perpetrator can often be the child's own mother or father.
Though sexual abuse can happen to any age group or gender by either a male or a female predator--pre-teen and teenage girls are especially at risk around male family and friends. Infants and toddlers are also higher targets because they are unable to blow the whistle on their abuser. Signs that an infant or toddler are being sexually abused include repeated vaginal or urinary tract infections, complaints of pain in the genital and rectal area and strong anxiety when their predator is in the room.
If a family member or friend is taking an unusual interest in a particular child or children in the household--there should be a red flag to other family members to watch for signs of sexual abuse. The scars of sexual abuse can stay with a person into their adult years--negatively affecting their intimate and personal relationships. Speak to children about their private and personal body parts and give them permission to blow the whistle on anyone who may violate their space physically or with inappropriate communication. ..Source.. by Carmen Lytle
August 23, 2009
Child sex offenders often relatives or close family friends
July 14, 2008
D.C.- Predators Who Can Lurk Anywhere
If most sex crimes are committed by family and friends, then not everyone is a "predator" as the title implies. Certainly "sex offenders" can be found in all walks of life, to that I agree.
7-14-2008 Washington D.C.:
On June 25, The Post published a disturbing Metro story about a third-grade teacher in a D.C. private school who was placed on leave after "inappropriate photos" of an unidentified young boy were found on a camera in the teacher's possession.
The school was identified as the "prestigious Beauvoir elementary school, located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral." As a parent of Beauvoir students, I was saddened and concerned about this discovery. But as someone who works on behalf of child victims of sexual and physical abuse and with professionals who conduct abuse investigations, I was glad that this incident was reported -- and I only wish I could be more surprised.
According to national statistics, one in four girls and one in six boys in the United States will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. These staggering numbers should tell us that not just poor kids or "other people's children" are targets of this heinous crime. Child sexual abuse doesn't discriminate on the basis of socioeconomic status or race. Further, most child victims are hurt by people they know, not by strangers. Child sexual abuse is a crime of opportunity that thrives on people's erroneous belief that it can't happen to their child or in their school, community, faith institution, camp, sports team, etc.
The first time I attended Beauvoir's Christmas Chapel at the cathedral, I cried. I was overwhelmed by the glaring disparity between the resources provided to the children at Beauvoir and schools like it, compared with the children my colleagues and I serve through our work at Safe Shores -- the D.C. Children's Advocacy Center. The children we see at Safe Shores are often painfully neglected and in dire need of compassionate, responsible adult care and supervision. But the great equalizer among all children is the danger of child sexual abuse. When adults deny the possibility of this crime, they only escalate the risk.
As a mother who works outside the home, I know it's often not realistic to expect parents to be with their children during every waking hour. Neither do my husband and I want to raise our children in an environment of fear and distrust. What we all can and must do, however, is be vigilant about where we leave our children when we're apart from them and whom we choose to watch over them.
We must demand accountability from adults and be unabashed in asking questions that may make some uncomfortable:
· Who will be with the children?
· What activities are planned for them?
· Has the staff been trained in child sexual abuse prevention?
· What kinds of background checks are conducted?
Adults need to learn how to recognize and prevent abuse. We must work toward building a community where child sexual abuse is brought out of the darkness of denial and where secrets can't thrive.
Good parenting requires that we take the time to stop, look and listen to children and pay attention to their surroundings, mindful that good and the possibility of evil are all around us. Not calling all the possibilities out by name and confronting them, including the child sexual abuse that can strike anywhere, only keeps our children in harm's way. ..News Source.. by Michele Booth Cole
March 25, 2008
MO- Gov. Blunt Seeks Access to FBI’s Criminal History Reports To Protect Missouri Children
3-24-2008 Missouri:
JEFFERSON CITY—Gov. Matt Blunt is seeking access to the FBI’s criminal history record information under the authority of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 to provide greater protection for Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens, especially children. The governor sent a letter to David Cuthbertson, Section Chief of the Programs Development Section, Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the FBI, seeking access to this database.
“By granting access to FBI criminal history record information under the Adam Walsh Law, the Missouri Department of Social Services will have access to state and national criminal history information when investigating or responding to reports of child abuse, neglect or exploitation,” Gov. Blunt wrote. “This would ensure my administration possesses as much information as possible to further protect children who are entrusted to our care.”
“In addition, we are requesting approval to process fingerprint-based civil background checks under the same authority,” Gov. Blunt continued. “By granting this request, state educational agencies as well as private elementary and secondary schools, will have added resources to make sound employment decisions. This would allow for greater protection of Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens.”
Sections 151 and 153 of the Adam Walsh Act provide access to FBI criminal history record information for governmental social service agencies with child protection responsibilities, child welfare agencies, and public and private elementary and secondary schools as well as state and local educational agencies.
Under Section 151, states are authorized to provide governmental social service agencies access to the National Crime Information Center and the Interstate Identification Index. Section 153, also called the Schools Safely Acquiring Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Act, provides that the Attorney General shall, upon the request of a state’s chief executive officer, conduct fingerprint-based checks of national crime information databases pursuant to requests submitted by child welfare agencies, by private or public elementary or secondary schools, or local or state educational agencies.
In 2007, Gov. Blunt signed legislation allowing for the dissemination of criminal history record information under the Adam Walsh Act to further protect Missouri children.
The safety of Missouri’s children is one of Gov. Blunt’s highest priorities. Gov. Blunt has been a national leader in protecting children from sexual predators. He enacted Missouri’s version of Jessica’s Law, an action that mandates a life sentence with at least 30 years served for predators who commit egregious crimes against young children. Additionally, Blunt made Missouri one of the first states in the nation to mandate lifetime GPS monitoring for sex offenders. Gov. Blunt supports new provisions to make forcible rape and forcible sodomy against a child younger than 12 a crime for which the death penalty may be sought.
Gov. Blunt also has promoted the INOBTR (I Know Better) Campaign to provide information about online predators and supports requiring registered sex offenders to provide e-mail addresses and other online identifiers to authorities. The governor instituted the Missouri Alert Network to enhance school safety and supported funding for cyber crime grants to assist law enforcement in investigating dangerous Internet crimes, especially sex crimes exploiting children. ..more.. by KSPR NEWS
