Jenna’s Law HB 1041

 Any sexual act between an adult and a minor or between two minors when one has power over the other OR when one is three years older than the other. A minor is ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18.  Forcing, coercing or persuading a child to engage in any type of sexual act. This includes NON-CONTACT acts such as exhibitionism, exposure to pornography, voyeurism/peeping/watching, and communicating in a sexual manner via telephone or internet.  If an individual is intoxicated or impaired in any way from consumption of drugs or alcohol – they are UNABLE to give consent. Any sexual contact with them is abusive and ILLEGAL.

 Asking someone under the age of 18 to send you naked or partially dressed photos of themselves. (Solicitation of Child Pornography)  Sending someone naked or partially dressed photos of yourself if you are under the age of 18. (Transmission of Child Pornography)  Having naked or partially dressed photos of someone under the age of 18 on your cell phone. (Possession of Child Pornography)  If you engage in ANY of these offenses, you could face prosecution in juvenile or adult court.

 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18 th birthday. Statistically, that means in an average sized classroom, there may be six girls and four boys who have been sexually abused.  1 in 5 children are sexually solicited while on the internet.  Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults occur to children ages 17 and younger.

 Both males and females are victims of sexual abuse.  Children can be victimized from infancy to age 18.  Victims can be any ethnicity, race, or religion.  Children who are victimized come from all socioeconomic backgrounds.  Children who have been or are being sexually abused do not look different from other kids.

 61% of all sexual offenders in Denton County are family members.  94% of offenders were someone the victim knew.  27% of offenders in Denton County are UNDER the age of 18.  66% of offenders in Denton County are between the ages of 18 – 55.  Offenders can be any race, ethnicity, and religion. They come from all socioeconomic backgrounds. *CACDC

 Physical signs of sexual abuse are not common, although redness, rashes or swelling in the genital area, urinary tract infections, or other symptoms should be carefully investigated.  Emotional or behavioral symptoms are more common. These can range from “too perfect” behavior to withdrawal and depression, to unexplained anger, rebellion and defiance.  Sexual knowledge, behaviors and language that are not age appropriate.  Hypersensitivity and/or recoil to touch or physical closeness.  Problems setting and recognizing boundaries.  Highly sexualized behavior.

Symptoms usually appear in extremes from one end of the spectrum to the other. Here are a few examples:  Change in sleeping habits  Change in eating habits  Change in appearance, style of dress, and/or hygiene  Withdrawal from friends and family, minimal interaction with others  Suspicious and mistrustful of others  Highly sexualized talk and behavior  Decline in academic performance  Tearful, weepy, angry, or hostile  Nightmares

 Depression  Flashbacks  Anxiety Disorder  Difficulty trusting others  Hyper-alert, lethargy  Low self-esteem  Anxiety  Core feelings of being “worthless” or “damaged”  Trouble regulating/managing emotions  Behavior problems, aggression, delinquency

 70% to 80% of sexual abuse survivors report excessive drug and alcohol use.  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.

 If someone is abusing you, you must tell an adult. If you aren’t sure that what’s happening is considered abuse, ask an adult.  If your friend has told you he/she is being abused, tell an adult.  If you suspect someone you know is being abused, tell an adult.  ALL school personnel are REQUIRED to take action if they suspect any kind of abuse.

 When a child makes an outcry of sexual abuse, the adult must make a report to Child Protective Services (CPS).  CPS will team up with the local police agency and begin an investigation.  The Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County will conduct a forensic interview and proceed with the investigation.  Counseling services will be provided for the victim and his/her family.  A court case may be pursued by the District Attorney’s office. The Advocacy Center will provide support throughout the entire legal process.

 The Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County Address: 1854 Cain Drive, Lewisville, TX Telephone: (972)  All cases of child sexual abuse (under the age of 17), must go through the Advocacy Center. The advocacy center provides law enforcement services, group and individual counseling for victims and their families, play therapy for young children, support through the legal system, advocacy, prosecution of offenders and assistance through the legal system.  All services are free

 Friends of the Family Telephone: (940) Crisis Line:  Relationship Violence  Sexual Assault  Friends of the Family provides community education, emergency shelter, counseling services for adolescents, adults, and families, links to community resources, advocacy and assistance through the legal system.

 Stop It Now  RAINN HOPE (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)  Darkness to Light National Helpline

 Darkness to Light National Network  Protectkids.com  Advocates for Youth  Child Sex Abuse Prevention & Protection Center  United States Dept. of Veterans Affairs  Helpguide.org  American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry  Child Trauma Academy  RAINN