Jenna’s Law House Bill 1041

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 ‘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) Friends of the Family ○ (provides emergency shelter and counseling for teens and their families) ○ Phone: (940) ○ Crisis Line: 1 (800) Texas Youth Hotline 1 (800) Stop it now 1(888) RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) 1(800) 656-HOPE -Darkness to Light National Hotline 1(866)

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