Childabuse.com Donny's Corner, Out of the Shadows

Out of the Shadows

by Donny Santiago

We hear and we read the stories—Sex offenders prey upon children.

They are attentive to a child’s needs and a child’s wants. They use cunning ploys to gain the trust of children. A child often recognizes an adult as a figure of authority who commands compliance. Children are often told never to speak to strangers or to go with anyone they do not know other than a designated care provider, but they do.

In many instances sex offenders and sexual predators perpetrate crimes against children through mental coercion. They use psychological tactics, such as the child will be harmed, family members will be killed, or no one will believe them if they speak out.

"In 90% of the rapes of children less than 12 years old, the child knew the offender, according to police-recorded data. Convicted rape and sexual assault offenders serving time in state prisons report that two-thirds of their victims were under the age of 18, and 58% of those--or nearly 4 in 10 imprisoned violent sex offenders--said their victims were aged 12 or younger" --- The Center for Sex Offender Management.

A priest becomes the focus of attention. People continue to disbelieve the stories, though they whisper behind their hands. The stories circulate. Others joke about strange appetites for Eros, and the stories stink from hints of immoralities. The victims tell stories only an all-knowing-God can see and know beyond the confessional booth. Some of the charges date back years and the charges involve numerous children that are now adults. Often times they are allowed to resign without, others are transferred to parishes where the circumstances for the transfer are not divulged to parishioners.

The problem is not confined to religious institutions. There are daily stories across the nation about sex abuse and child molestation, if figures are accurate most reported sex crimes are perpetrated against children. In 1998, according to national statistical data from The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), there were 315,400 substantiated reports of child sex abuse, though additional data show a 26% percent decline from 429,000 in 1991.

The reasons for the decline are not readily apparent. A variety of reasons, such as changing attitudes and methods of reporting to and by various agencies were examined in a case study conducted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, an office under the U.S. Department of Justice.

At times people who speak out may be financially effected. Fear of assault may be another motivating factor if they know the offender. Sometimes people are apprehensive about speaking out because their own lifestyle choices might come under scrutiny and criticism or people will learn about a situation that will bring shame and humiliation upon those who come forward.

Perhaps, none of these reasons are valid and cannot justify inaction, but some of these reasons often compel people to do and to say nothing. After a problem is discovered, denial often resonates throughout a community. People have known the accused person for years. The accused might be a community leader, a spouse, family member, friend, or trusted neighbor. A fatherless boy is shown attention by a male figure he admires and respects. A child violently reacts to being taken to an aunt’s house. A child whimpers about being taken to a daycare center. Some parents may notice a change in their child’s behavior, such as mood swings, bedwetting and nightmares. A child who is angry, withdrawn, and reluctant to interact with certain people may be a warning that he or she is being abused.

There are many theories about why people sexually molest children. In Out of the Shadows, Understanding Sexual Addiction, Carnes states "The addict who focuses on children usually has suffered some interruption in his or her own development while growing up." Sometimes other addictive disorders, such as alcoholism and drug abuse are present and must be treated. An antisocial personality disorder may be another underlying cause.

Several sources suggest precipitating stress and anxiety factors such as unemployment, problems with intimacy, feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem worsens the compulsive behavior of people who are aroused by and seek out children. Whatever the reasons, people who molest children must be held responsible for their premeditated actions. "With sexual predators, the fantasy always precedes the act," (Douglas, 1998, pg. 24). It should be noted most sex offenders seldom seek help until they are detected.

People accused of deviant behavior are tracked to their safe havens only after accusations are made by or extracted from the recipients of their attentions. The secrets are coming out of the closets. Fingers are pointing and whistles are blowing. Many have hands emptied of coin to oppose those who can repudiate allegations with expert legal counsel to defend them, and to argue statue of limitation, but people are not powerless. There are many ways to get involved and to help make a difference.

The National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse (NCPCA), a volunteer not-for-profit organization that promotes public awareness, states as part of its mission statement the goal to prevent child abuse in all its forms. They offer training courses, volunteer intervention and literature. They can be reached at (800) 556-2722. Child Help USA provides a 24-hour crisis hot line, information about abuse, extensive links to support groups and links to professional help. To report suspected abuse call (800) 422-4453. Calls are treated as confidential.

Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) is another invaluable source of information. This organization comprises almost 800 public and private, non-profit agencies that assist neglected, abandoned, and abused children and their families. CWLA is an important advocacy that legislates on Capitol Hill for many statutes and laws regarding the protection and rights of children to include their families. CWLA is the foremost publisher of child welfare literature. They can be reached at (202) 638-2952.

Community notification laws (which differ for each state) allow a citizen to know names and locations of sex offenders who reside in their communities; the information can be obtained from law enforcement, courts and correctional institutions. At this time only 28 states manage accessible internet websites that list sex offenders names, address, and types of offenses committed. It should be noted that juvenile sex offenders are not necessarily listed that information in most instances can only be obtained by written request, and on a need to know basis.

"Under federal guidelines, states are not required to register or conduct notification on juveniles, however states have the option to require registration and notification for juveniles adjudicated or convicted of a sex offense are required to register in 28 states."

--- The Center for Sex Offender Management.

"A federal mandate requires states to establish registration programs for sex offenders to include life long registration for offenders classified as sexual predators. Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offenders Registration Act was passed in 1994." --- The Center for Sexual Offender Management.

The Wetterling Act was amended in 1996 to include Megan’s Law that requires community notification about sex offenders and sexual predators who reside within their communities. Megan’s Law requires sex offenders and sexual predators to register with local police in the community in which they reside.

Each one of the above federal mandates are named after children that were sexually assaulted and murdered or abducted. In 1989, 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling and his two friends were accosted by a masked gunman near his home in St. Joseph, Minnesota. After the gunman released his two friends who ran into nearby woods, the man abducted Jacob and neither one were ever found. Jacob’s parents established The Jacob Wetterling Foundation, a non-profit organization that focused national attention on abducted children.

In 1994, seven-year-old Megan Kanke was raped and murdered by Jesse Timmendequas, a twice-convicted sex offender who lived in her community in Hamilton, New Jersey. Her parents and the community held rallies and signed petitions. This public campaign resulted in community notification legislature passed in New Jersey and enacted on a national level.

To further strengthen the Jacob Wetterling Act and Megan’s Law, on January 3, 1996, Congress passed the Pam Lychner Sexual Offender Tracking and Identification Act, named after the late victims-rights advocate Pam Lychner. The Pam Lychner Act requires the Department of Justice to establish a National Sex Offender Registry.

Violent sexual predators are subject to lifetime registration. They are also required to give address verification once every 90 days, fingerprints and a current photograph must also be kept on file. Sex offenders are subject to a 10-year registration from the date of release from prison, parole, supervised release, or probation.

Under the Pam Lychner Sexual Offender Tracking and Identification Act, the FBI is required to handle sex offender registration and notification in states unable to maintain an adequate program on their own. The term "sex offender" is defined by The Center for Sex Offender Management as someone who has been charged, and convicted of illegal sexual behavior. A sexual predator is considered to be a highly dangerous sex offender who suffers from a mental abnormality or personality disorder. These terms are distinct definitions, however they are interchangeably used throughout this essay.

"About 60% of all sex offenders managed by the U.S. Correctional System are under some form of conditional supervision in the community." --- The Center for Sex Offender Management. The terms of conditional supervision varies in accordance with proscribed therapeutic treatment plans and location of treatment. There are various approaches utilized to manage sex offender behavior, such as chemical castration, electronic monitoring and therapy.

Parents are the first lines of defense. Apparently it is not enough to tell children not to talk to strangers. The problem is complex because relatives, friends and trusted authority figures, such as daycare workers, teachers, medical personnel and clergy, are oftentimes the culprits. We cannot look upon evil deeds with complacent eyes because these children are not our own -- they may very well be.

Most parents want their children to be able to view the world with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Children should be able to learn how to critically think about and to question the world in which they live.

The notion that children are to be seen and not to be heard can prevent a child from telling someone when something is being done to him or her. Children must be educated and encouraged to ask questions. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers free information on sexual assault protection. They can be reached at (800) 843-5678.

It is a tragic fact, but people do victimize, exploit, hurt and sometimes murder children. Children are a vital resource that must be protected. What types of preventative measures can be taken? Should child psychologists, psychiatrists, speech therapists, sociologists, child advocate organizations and criminal profilers who type the behavioral characteristics of sex offenders and sexual predators help formulate training to be included within school curriculums on a national level? Whatever additional steps are taken to combat this escalating problem parental support, public awareness and continued education is needed to ensure success to combat this problem.

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