HOLLIE STRAND TRAINER/FORENSIC INTERVIEWER Child Sexual Abuse: A Call to Action Children’s Home Child Advocacy Center

Disclaimers 2 Normal and extreme examples Graphic and uncomfortable Use of the word “He” Trigger emotional and physical responses Might cause a sense of fear about protecting children At the end a discussion of how to help keep children safe from abuse

Child Sexual Abuse US Department of Health and Human Services Research suggests that one in every four girls and one in six boys will be the victim of some type of sexual abuse/assault before age 18. Children with developmental delays and disabilities are 3 times more likely to be sexually abused. You can do the math…this translates to almost 15 Million children who will be sexually abused or assaulted over the next 18 years!

Why Kids Don’t Tell Understanding and helping to prevent Child Sexual Abuse“, ©2008 Channing Bete Company, Inc Embarrassment or shame Expectations that the person who hears the disclosure would blame them Concerns they would not be believed Not wanting to upset anyone Protect the abuser from harm/jail/prison Fear of the abuser

Recognizing Child Sexual Abuse Reports nightmares or bedwetting Regression in behaviors already mastered Experiences a sudden change in appetite Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior Avoidant of persons or places U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/One With Courage

Recognizing Child Sexual Abuse U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/One With Courage Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14 Runs away/Fear of going home Risk-taking behaviors Sexualized behaviors Change in school performance

Stranger Danger???? Relationship to victims 1. Father/birth 2. Friend/Friend of the family/Other known person 3. Mother's boyfriend 4. Brother (birth & step) 5. Cousin 6. Uncle 7. Step-father 8. Grandfather

Difficulties with Prosecuting Child Sexual Abuse Cases No evidence No medical findings No witnesses Family Affairs Child testimony Adult said/ Child said Child’s statement is our crime scene

Difficulties with Prosecuting Child Sexual Abuse Cases Lack of cooperation among agencies Poor report writing Poor court room testimony Coaching as a defense Untrained prosecutors Untrained judges Uneducated juries

Types of Offenders – Kenneth Lanning, Retired FBI Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis Kenneth Lanning, Retired FBI Outline of the Continuum of Child Molesters Preferential  Seduction  Introverted Situational  Progressive attraction  Regressed  Inadequate

Grooming Tactics used for grooming  Measuring  Pornography/Nudity  Body safety dialog  Accidents  Bathrooms  Child’s fault  Non-hurtful touches

Grooming Tactics of grooming (cont)  Setting up the tree of safety  Picking children less likely to tell  Threatening  Filling a void  Defining abuse for child  Everyone is the target

Talking to Children About Abuse Child Sexual Abuse: A Review of the Literature, THE JOHN JAY COLLEGE RESEARCH TEAM o Disclosure in NOT an event, it is a process o Types of disclosures o Purposeful o Accidental o Prompted o Piecemeal disclosure o Fantastic statements

Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome o Secrecy o Helplessness o Entrapment/Accommodation o Delayed, conflicted and unconvincing disclosures o Recantation Dr. Roland Summit 1983

Child Advocacy Centers Child Advocacy Centers were created to provide a coordinated response to child abuse investigations Child Advocacy Centers provide services as part of an open investigation

16 CACSD: 5 CENTERS Rapid City Pierre Sioux Falls Fort Thompson Pine Ridge

Where do Parents & Professionals Working with Children Fit In? Children often disclose to loved ones/teachers/counselors/staff These people often hear the “untainted” statement by the child These people can help set the tone for how the remainder of the investigation is handled These people have the opportunity to provide the reassurance a child needs to go forth with investigation

What To Do if a Child Discloses Abuse Understand your school/agency/church/clinic’s policy for reporting allegation of abuse. Thank the child for having the courage to report this to you. The child needs to know that disclosing to you is the right thing to do. Some things to say are:  “Thank you”  “I Believe you”  “It’s not your fault”  “We will get you some help to deal with this”  “I am going to just listen if you need to talk”

What To Do if a Child Discloses Abuse Write down the exact words the child used in the disclosure and during your interactions. Inform the child, as soon as possible, of what will happen next with the reporting. Practice your response before the situation arises. Let your body language tell the child that you hear what he/she is telling you and that you believe them.

Where do Parents & Professionals Working with Children Fit In? What NOT to do: Do not make a conclusion about the validity of the allegation. Do not make promises…. MOST IMPORTANT – Do not ask the child ANY questions. Children need to be interviewed by a specially trained interviewer at the Child Advocacy Center where the interview is recorded and the assistance from a multidisciplinary team can be used to ensure the best outcome for the child.

Keeping Kids Safe Know what is normal for children Slumber Parties/Sleep overs Code Words Secrets/Surprises Teenagers Rule of 5s 10 People Principle

Keeping Kids Safe Professionals Forced affection Sexualized children Internet Safety Boundaries in place Be prepared to say “No”

What If Dialog What we do now….. We ask children to interpret the intentions of touch Serious tone mean serious trouble Something we can do better… Beginning the conversation Examples Researched Based on Police Academy Check to see how much our kids know

Conclusion It’s not about the touching, its about the telling Kid and teens need to practice, practice, practice Everyone plays a role in recognizing and responding Want to help? Pass it on “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” – Edward Everett Hale

Questions??? Questions, comments, request a training Thank you and God Bless!!!

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