"There was one case where a man left his daughter in a shopping cart on one aisle of a store while he shopped on another aisle," said Officer Donna Peck of the Juvenile Sex Crimes Division of the Houston Police Department. "The child was removed from the cart, taken to another part of the store, molested, and returned to the cart before her father even knew she was missing."

An estimated 1.6 million children (1990 figures) are abused annually. In Texas, the number of child abuse cases reported to authorities is rising by 8% a year.

One in seven boys and one in four girls will be sexually assaulted before they are eighteen years old.

According to Peck, people from all walks of life are capable of sexually abusing children.

"The only two people I haven't arrested are the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus," Peck said. "I think that's only because they haven't been caught yet."

Shockingly, approximately 88% of child molesters are people whom children and/or their parents trust. This includes friends, relatives, and professionals who have access to our children.

"These men operate on trust," said Officer Kyle Evans, "and trust is what keeps it secret. They're real good 'confidence' men. They have to be."

The best possible protection from child sexual assault is good communication with your children and education of both yourself and your children.

Teach your children that no one has the right to touch their bodies or to do anything that makes them uncomfortable.

"That includes a hug from a family friend or a big, sloppy kiss from Grandpa," said Officer Peck. "If they don't want to...don't force them." continue

Don't teach your children blind obedience. If an adult tells them to do something they are uncomfortable with, allow them to say no. Also, let the child know that if this happens, you are to be told. Reassure them that they will not be blamed from whatever an adult does.

"Don't teach your child to keep secrets," emphasized Officer Evans. "A secret is something you never tell. That's one of the ways molesters get away with these crimes; they convince the child that it's a secret and that the child will be in trouble if he or she tells anyone."

Instead, Evans suggests keeping gifts or parties a 'surprise' rather than a secret, since a surprise will eventually be told.

"Teach your child that it is wrong to keep things secret and that if anyone asks them to, they should tell you immediately," Evans said.

Teach children to protect themselves. If someone tries to do something to their bodies they are not comfortable with, tell them to scream and run for help...even if they have to go to a stranger.

-end-

Continue to Part Two of this Series

Part one of this series discussed ways of protecting your children from abuse. Unfortunately, protection is not always possible.

"No one is completely safe," said Officer Donna Peck of the Juvenile Sex Crimes Division of the Houston Police Department. "You may be one of the lucky few whose child is not molested, but your friend, neighbor, or relative may not be so lucky."

Children who have been abused may be too frightened or ashamed to talk about what has happened. In some cases, the child may not consciously realize that what happened was wrong. This is especially true in cases where the molester is a relative.

"There is a misguided belief that children know what molestation is and that it's wrong...that they'll automatically tell you if it happens," said Officer Kyle Evans, also of the Juvenile Sex Crimes Division. "You have to think like a child. Children only know what they've been taught."

Children who have been abused will exhibit physical, as well as emotional signs; however, the majority of these cases will not have any physical indicators of sexual abuse.

It's important for all adults to be aware of these signs, not only in your own children, but in your children's friends and classmates, your neighbors' children, and your relatives.

Emotional of behavioral signs include any extreme change in a child's behavior including appetite, sleep or academics, regression to more infantile behavior such as bedwetting or thumb sucking, or social withdrawal.
Continue

An unusual interest in or knowledge of sexual matters, simulation of sexual activity with younger or same age children, or sexual acting out towards adults are also signs of possible sexual abuse.

If you suspect your child has been abused or if your child tells you he or she has been abused, the most important thing you can do is believe him or her.

"Children, especially young children, do not have the capacity to lie about something like this," said Officer Evans. "If they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar, they'll tell you they didn't do it; but a child can't make up a story about sexual abuse and keep it going. Especially when they're talking about things they shouldn't even know about."

Child sexual assault is a devastating experience it can take a lifetime to recover from. It's vital for adults to show love and understanding to children who have been abused to help them in their recovery.

"I was sexually abused by my grandfather," said 'Ann' who called with her story after reading part one of this series. "I was 32 before I was able to face what had happened and to begin learning how to deal with it.

"In many ways, I believe sexually abusing a child is much worse than any other type of abuse there is," she said.

-end-

Continue to Part Three

They generally receive light or probated sentences and are even given the options of counseling or taking classes for offenders.

"Their defense is usually 'it's not his fault...he was abused as a child...he's sick'," said Officer Kyle Evans of the Juvenile Sex Crimes Division of the Houston Police Department. "Child molesters are no more sick than burglars. They are criminals and they should be treated as such."

Officer Evans points out that, to his knowledge, there has never been a case where a child molester was reformed.

"Counseling doesn't work. The ones who go to TDC are only there because they got caught," he said. "While they're there, they just practice getting better so that next time they won't get caught."

Officer Evans says it's up to citizens to say they're fed up with the system and the lenience shown towards sexual abusers.

"Form organized citizen groups like MADD. Force the government to enforce mandatory sentences. Force juries to bring back tougher penalties. That's the only way you can protect your kids," he added.

Chapter 34 of the Texas Family Code requires any person "having cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect" must report the case. Section 34.07 provides that all reports of child abuse are confidential. Failure to report a case of child abuse or neglect is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of up to 180 days and/or a fine of up to $1,000. However, a person who makes a false report or one which lacks a factual foundation, is also guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

A person who reports child abuse in good faith is immune from either civil or criminal liability. Continue

"Most importantly, reassure the child that you believe him/her and that you will support, love, and protect the child," said Officer Evans.

Going to court can be a difficult experience for child victims and their families, but it is vital and can even be a part of the recovery process.

Child sexual assault is a horrifying fact of today's society. The community must join together to educate and protect our children.

"I'm very angry about what's happening to our kids," said Officer Evans, "but nothing will change unless we make it change."

-end-

©  Debbie Evans