From the FBI

Child Sexual Exploitation -- Threat from Pedophiles Online is ‘Vast and Extensive'

05/10/16

The case of a Tennessee man sentenced last month to 21 years in prison on child pornography charges serves as an important reminder to parents and children about the dangers of an online world where things are not always as they appear and pedophiles may be lurking around many virtual corners.

Brian K. Hendrix was convicted earlier this year in connection with his operation of two websites whose sole purpose was to trick children into engaging in sexually explicit activity that he and his co-conspirators were secretly recording. An investigation identified more than 300 American children who were victims—some as young as 8 years old—and an estimated 1,600 other youths who were lured to the websites.

The pedophiles tricked their young victims by creating fake profiles on social networking sites, where they posed as teenagers to lure children to their websites. When the youngsters landed on the sites, the 42-year-old Hendrix and his criminal colleagues showed them pre-recorded sexual videos of prior victims to make the new victims think they were chatting with their peers.

Once lured to the websites, the criminals—masquerading as teens—used sophisticated psychological tactics to coerce many of the children to engage in sexually explicit activity using the cameras on their tablets, smartphones, and desktop computers—all of which the adults recorded.

“Hendrix was one of several main members of the conspiracy,” said Special Agent Paul Cha of the FBI's Violent Crimes Against Children Section. “Pedophiles are very active online,” he said. “Their numbers are vast, and their reach is extensive. They track children's activities. When they realized how popular chat sites are with children, they found a way to exploit it.”

The FBI-led investigation, dubbed Operation Subterfuge, has thus far resulted in the conviction of eight others besides Hendrix, with average prison sentences ranging between 18 and 21 years. Cha explained that most of the children caught up in the exploitation had no idea they had been victimized.

The majority of the victims were American, but victims were also located in Canada and several other countries. Because of the large number of children impacted, investigators enlisted the help of the FBI's Office for Victim Assistance to inform parents about the crimes and to offer assistance. When contacted by the FBI, Cha said, “Many of the parents were in complete shock.”

The victims and their families came from all social and economic backgrounds, according to Special Agent Daniel Johns, an Operation Subterfuge investigator. “There were victims who came from good homes with very active, stable parents.”

Pedophiles are experts at grooming and coercing youngsters, Johns said, and sometimes as many as 20 adults posing as teens were on the websites, manipulating children. “Their coercive tactics—that constant barrage on a child's mind—succeeded in breaking down their barriers,” he said. “These tactics have been perfected by predators to make a child feel bad. And the adults were all working together. In a lot of cases, the kids really didn't stand a chance.”

Johns, a veteran child exploitation investigator, said this case represented a level of sophistication on the part of pedophiles he has never seen before. “From creating their own website to giving that website the ability to record the criminal activity and then to be able to download it—along with the sophistication, coordination, and grooming to be able to break down all the child's barriers—is disconcerting.”

Increasingly, children of all ages own or have access to devices that allow them to get online. Johns urges parents to follow a few simple rules when it comes to social networking sites and Internet usage in general for children: “Tell your kids that if they haven't met the person in real life, they shouldn't be friends online,” he said, adding, “Limit your child's device usage to common areas of the household, and store those devices in your bedroom at night.”

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2016/may/child-sexual-exploitation/child-sexual-exploitation

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California

Law officers redefining victims in prostitution

by Anne Millerbernd

Earlier this month, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced the arrests of three people suspected of abducting a teen girl and forcing her into prostitution.

The girl was 15 when she was taken from a Moreno Valley shopping center and forced to have sex for money in the Coachella Valley and San Bernardino County, the department said. She spent two months prostituting before she ran away.

Ten years ago, the girl might have been arrested for prostitution. She might spend some time in jail or pay a fine and then be let go, to continue working for the group that allegedly profited off of her.

But in Inland Southern California, like many places in the nation, a shift has been taking place. Law enforcement and legal officials have changed the way they look at prostitution. Not everyone who commits the crime is viewed as a criminal.

It's difficult to say how common something like sex trafficking is because the internet makes it possible pretty much anywhere in the world.

“Literally anybody in the country could go online right now and have a prostitute at their location within an hour,” said Sgt. Al Girard of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Girard oversees the county's Human Trafficking Task Force. He says the biggest change in sex trafficking in recent years is the way law enforcement officials view it. Just because a person is a prostitute does not mean he or she is a felon.

Especially in the last five or so years, members of the county's Human Trafficking Task Force have been recognizing prostitution as a crime with more than one dimension.

Instead of simply arresting a prostitute, officers now try to get to know her and her family, ask about her situation and try to give her the resources she needs to change her lifestyle entirely.

Domestic sex trafficking is the most common type of trafficking in the Inland area.

The psychological aspect of sex trafficking adds another dimension to an investigation. Girard compared it to abuse. Sometimes, the women don't feel the person forcing them into that lifestyle has malicious intent.

“Their pimp is at one time victimizing them, but they could feel that they are in love with them,” he said.

http://www.pe.com/articles/trafficking-802967-county-sex.html

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Troubled Moms and Dads Learn to Parent with ACEs

by Jane Stevens

A father in county jail is ordered to take a parenting class, but isn't too enthusiastic about it. As part of the class, he learns about the ACE Study, and does his own ACE score.

“Oh my god!” he announces to the class. “I have 7 ACEs.” His mother's an alcoholic. His dad's been in and out of jail. He himself started dealing drugs at age 11, and doing drugs at 14.

“I've got two kids at home experiencing the same things I did,” he says. The light bulb goes on.

A few days after a woman who's ordered by the court to take parenting classes learns about her ACE score, she quits smoking.

“I've been smoking for years,” she tells the class. “My ACE score was one of the reasons.” She quit, she says, because she decided smoking wasn't helping her children.

Another parent of three kids was saddened when he did his ACE score.

“What's coming up for you?” asked Jennifer Martin, who was leading the class. Martin is parent and community educator for the Family Center in Nashville, Tenn. Last year, it added a module about adverse childhood experiences and their consequences to their parenting education program, Nurturing Parent . The results have astounded and enlightened instructors and students alike.

“This explains so much,” he tells Martin. “It explains why I did half the things I did when I was a teenager … why I did them to such an extreme. There was no other way to express what was going on in my life.”

“Understanding his ACE score allowed him to have some grace for himself,” Martin explains later.

Since April 2014, more than 1,100 parents have learned about ACEs in parenting classes in three jails and two treatment facilities in Davidson and Rutherford counties, and in four classes at the Family Center. The entire set of parenting classes lasts eight weeks; in the county jails, they last six weeks.

After taking the course, most parents develop much more empathy for their children, and most lower their risk for physically punishing their children.

Before I go any further, it's time to explain what ACEs are and why they affect parenting … all parenting.

ACEs refers to the groundbreaking CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study). The ACE Study showed how childhood trauma is linked to the adult onset of chronic disease, mental illness, violence and being a victim of violence. It measured 10 types of childhood adversity, those that occurred before the age of 18. They are physical, verbal and sexual abuse; physical and emotional neglect; a family member with mental illness, or who has been incarcerated or is abusing alcohol or other drugs; witnessing a mother being abused; losing a parent to divorce or separation.

Of the 17,000 mostly white, college-educated people with jobs and great health care who participated in the study, 64 percent had an ACE score of 1 or more; 12 percent had an ACE score of 4 or more (i.e., four out of the 10 different types of adversity).

The researchers found that the higher a person's ACE score, the greater the risk of chronic disease and mental illness. For example, compared with someone who has an ACE score of zero, a person with an ACE score of 4 is 12 times more likely to attempt suicide, seven times more likely to become an alcoholic, and twice as likely to have heart disease. People with a score of 6 or higher have shorter lifespans – 20 years shorter.

Among the parents who have participated in the Family Center's parenting classes, 71 percent have 4 or more ACEs. Fifty-one percent have 6 or more ACEs. Six percent have 10 ACEs.

The ACE Study revealed a hidden epidemic: ACEs contribute to most of our major chronic health, mental health, economic health and social health issues.

The ACE Study is part of a new understanding that's sometimes called a “unified science” of human development. This ACEs science includes:

•  the epidemiology of childhood adversity (the ACE Study and subsequent ACE surveys, including 32 U.S. states),

•  how toxic stress from childhood trauma can damage a child's developing brain (neurobiology),

•  how toxic stress embeds in a person's biology to emerge decades later as disease (biomedical consequences of toxic stress),

•  how the effects of toxic stress can be passed from parent to child (epigenetics),

•  and how resilience research is showing how the brain is plastic and the body wants to heal.

Resilience research and practice is very broad. It includes individual resilience — such as how exercise, nutrition, being in a safe relationship, (for a child) being in a relationship with a trusted adult, living in a safe place, and mindfulness all contribute to a healthy brain and body. It includes organization, system and community resilience — such as how trauma-informed, resilience-building high schools help teens with high ACE scores increase their grades, test scores, graduation rates, sense of well being, and hope for the future. It also includes how parenting classes informed by ACEs science can change parents' relationship with their children.

Most parents who take the Family Center's classes are ordered to do so by a judge.

“Almost all of them are living in extreme poverty – their income is under $15,000 a year,” says Jennifer Trail, director of programs.

Not only have these parents suffered the types of trauma that were measured in the ACE Study, but they have also experienced other types of adversity, such as witnessing violence outside the home, bullying, racism, and involvement with systems that can traumatize, such as schools with zero-tolerance policies, the foster care system, juvenile justice, law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

The approach taken by the Family Center educators is to use ACEs as a tool to empower parents and not guilt them. They educate parents on the healing power of safe, stable and nurturing relationships and how these reduce the severity of the risks of adverse childhood experiences.

“If they are part of a cycle that they become aware of,” says Martin, “they want to know what they can do about it. It's very powerful for them.”

Although the module is taught in the context of stress, that's not what the parent educators ask about first. The beginning of the class goes like this:

“What do you want for your kids?” asks the parent educator.

The answer is usually: “Success.”

“What's success?”

“Being happy, healthy, having a good job.”

That leads into talking about stress: “Stress keeps things you want for your family from happening,” says the educator.

And then she explains about:

•  good stress, which all humans need to grow and thrive;

•  tolerable stress, the temporary “downs” of life from which people recover, often with help from family and friends;

•  and toxic stress, extreme, frequent or extended activation of the body's stress response without the buffering presence of a supportive adult. In other words, ACEs.

She explains Dr. Dan Siegel's “flip your lid” model , which is a simple and effective way of understanding how the brain works to control emotional responses….or not. Parents learn that if they see a child who's having a tantrum, that's “flipping your lid.” The parents give examples from their own kids, and the parent educators tie that in with toxic stress.

“Our parents love brain science, being privy to that knowledge,” says Martin.

Then, the parents are told about the background of the ACE Study, and everyone in the class fills out a 15-question ACE survey and scores it. (The survey separates some of the questions from the original 10-question ACE survey into two or three questions, but the scoring system still goes from 1 to 10.) And then they talk about the results. They don't have to reveal their scores or how they answered. Whatever comes up is fine. Some parents share information about their ACEs and how many they have. Some don't. Some remember experiences that they've blocked out for 30 years.

“People are very touched by the information,” says Martin. “It was a huge reservation of ours, how to handle strong feelings if they came up.”

But they figured it out. By not skirting over the impact of the results and the feelings that come up for parents, the parent educators have found that they actually help empower the parents. They do this by explaining and showing the parents that they're going to sit with them through the discomfort, that they're willing to listen and acknowledge.

“I think it helps them normalize those emotions that nobody affirmed in them when those traumas happened to them,” says Martin.

As the parents talk about their experiences, they begin creating community around their shared experiences. They discover that they aren't alone, that their experiences are very common, and have had a huge effect on their lives.

Parents say that by learning about ACEs science, they understand their own lives better. For many parents, it's the first time that they learn about and understand their own trauma triggers, and that their responses to trauma are perfectly normal.

Many recognize that their children have ACEs; they want to know what to do to help them, and how not to increase their kids' ACEs.

That's when the class moves into talking about resilience.

The most helpful things to combat ACEs are healthy and stable relationships, explains the parent educator. She asks the parents where their children can find healthy relationships, and how those might support their children.

And what comes out of this is that parents understand how their own parents passed ACEs on to them, and their parents inherited ACES from their parents.

“So you're telling me it's not all my fault,” they say. “I thought everything was my fault.”

That's an important realization. Children's brains are structured so that they think that they are at the center of the universe; they often think they're responsible for the actions of those around them. So, unless they're told otherwise, they will often believe — into their 40s, 50s and 60s — that they're responsible for their parents' divorce, for example, or that somehow they deserved the physical or sexual abuse they suffered. Often their parents had reinforced that by telling them that they were born bad, and that they deserve punishment.

In the class, the parents are encouraged to create a plan to manage their daily stress. “If you manage stress, you're creating support around your own ACEs,” Martin explains to them, and the parents learn how managing their own stress helps their kids.

Besides learning about ACEs science over the six or eight weeks of classes, parents also become familiar with effective discipline – without hitting — and managing child behavior.

At the end of the classes, the Family Center measures changes in parents' understanding and beliefs about their children.

Specifically, 69% of the parents who tested at high risk in empathy at the beginning of the class moved to medium or low risk, meaning they had more empathy for their children. And 77% of the parents who tested at high risk for physical punishment moved to medium or low risk.

Parents' empathy for their children increased because they began to understand that when their children “misbehave,” they aren't trying to intentionally anger the parents. “Acting out” or “misbehaving” is children's normal response to trauma in their own lives. As a result, parents become more engaged in wanting to know how to help their children.

Other measures that show improvement include parents' beliefs about their kids' independence and autonomy, their understanding of family roles in which children sometimes take on the role as family caregiver when parents erroneously believe their children should comfort them, increased knowledge about their children's development and expectations they have for their children.

The majority of parents in the classes are motivated by the knowledge of ACEs science to make changes in how they parent their children. They say that they don't want their ACEs to be the end of their story.

“There's a very small percentage that don't want the information or aren't ready,” says Martin. “That's okay. We fully believe in the power of planting seeds.”

What's clear to Martin, she says, is that “everybody needs to know this.”

That goes for Family Center staff members, too, who have also tallied their own ACEs scores. The organization has developed policies and procedures around compassionate care and self-care to mitigate vicarious trauma, and trauma-informed, resilience-building practices are in the agency's strategic plan.

Supervisors check in with their staff members once a week and once a month to provide support, and to remind them about self-care and compassionate care practices. New staff members are required to attend a one-day self-care retreat, and, once a year, they participate in compassionate care training.

Besides adding the ACE module to its parenting classes, the Family Center has been educating funders, donors and people from other sectors in the Nashville community. They also developed a training program for other providers on appropriate and sensitive ways to administer the ACE questionnaire to the people they serve, and reasons why it's helpful to the agency and to their clients.

As more people learned about ACEs science, a group of organizations — including the Family Center, Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, and the Metropolitan Public Health Department of Nashville — founded ACE Nashville in October 2015 to lead the city to becoming a trauma-informed, resilience-building community. The organization hosted its first annual summit — Healthy Nashville — last month, which 400 people attended.

ACE Nashville has also decided to train all public health staff and the staff of the organizations they work with about ACEs. And they'll be working to integrate a “health in all policies” strategy to assist leaders and policymakers to “integrate considerations of health, well-being and equity during the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and services,” says Trail.

~~~

This post was originally published on AcesTooHigh.com. If you're a parent with ACEs who's currently parenting with ACEs, or someone who's teaching parenting education, considering joining the Parenting with ACEs group on ACEsConnection.com, a social network for people who are implementing practices based on ACEs science. Go to ACEsConnection.com to join, and once you've joined, sign up for the Parenting with ACEs group.

Jane Stevens is the editor of ACES Too High, a news site that reports on research about adverse childhood experiences, including developments in epidemiology, neurobiology, and the biomedical and epigenetic consequences of toxic stress.

https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/child-trauma-2/18099/18099

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Montana

Editorial

No single cure for Montana's child abuse crisis

Why are more than 3,000 Montana kids in the child protection system now, more than ever before?

Meth, opioids, alcohol, other drugs, mental illness, neglect, domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse.

The crisis of child abuse and neglect that doubled the number of Yellowstone County children placed in out-of-home care to more than 450 last year is getting worse. Between Jan. 1 and last week, the Yellowstone County Attorney's Office had filed for protection of 185 children, compared with 162 kids in the same period last year.

The most frequent contributing factor in these cases is parental drug addiction that leads to neglect so severe that the children aren't safe at home. The fact that child abuse and neglect cases continue to grow in our community looms over efforts in Helena to remedy the crisis in the state Child and Family Services Division. The state's child protection agency is besieged by understaffing, burnout, high turnover and criticism for not working better, faster and smarter.

Next week, the Protect Montana Kids Commission, a panel appointed late last year by Gov. Steve Bullock, is scheduled to finalize recommendations for changes in child protection statutes and within the division. The commission has some good ideas that the Bullock administration and the Legislature need to implement. But the Bullock administration must take urgent action before the Legislature convenes, including theses steps:

•  Hire a new administrator to fill the vacancy created this month by Sarah Corbally's resignation and hire a deputy administrator.

•  Vastly improve communications.

•  Provide a safe, confidential way for staff to express concerns to division leadership without fear of retaliation.

•  Improve staff recruitment and retention.

The governor and lawmakers must recognize that abuse and neglect of children is statewide problem, not just a CFSD problem. Addiction treatment and mental health care has to be more accessible and available — before children are neglected. Many children in foster care have one or both parents in the corrections system, which needs more capacity for effective treatment and parenting education.

“They're not just child and family services problems, they're systems problems,” said Bart Klika, a commission member and professor at the University of Montana School of Social Work.

•  The stigma associated with asking for help stops many parents from dealing with problems before children are abused or neglected, Klika said.

•  “All parents need help,” Klika said.

•  To recruit and retain good child protection workers, Montana will have to do more to support these professionals. Secondary trauma is an occupational hazard for workers who deal daily with abused and neglected children.

The social workers need access to counseling, and they need to see a future for themselves in child protection, Klika said. That's why the commission suggests creating career ladders that provide incentives for good workers to stay in jobs where they excel.

A draft of commission recommendations notes that last year, the division lost 97 child protection specialists and that the average remaining worker has been on the job for less than two years. Those relatively inexperienced workers are loaded up with 40 to 50 kids' cases — more than double the number of recommended as a maximum by national accreditation standards.

“This is a complex and multi-faceted challenge,” said Jani McCall, the only commission member from Yellowstone County. “The rebuilding of the division itself will take time, excellent leadership and management, strong CPS workers and supervisors and resources to do the job."

McCall and Klika are correct that easing Montana's child abuse and neglect crisis will require action within and outside the CFSD. As McCall said: “Addressing prevention is the only answer to turning the tide on the high number of youth that continue to enter services.”

Caring adults are needed to work in our community as volunteers and professionals to support healthier families. Montanans must demand that public policies at the federal, state and local level focus on prevention as well as protection. It's so much better to stop the hurt before it happens.

http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/editorial/gazette-opinion/gazette-opinion-no-single-cure-for-montana-s-child-abuse/article_ceec162a-3992-5b0a-938d-bf815eaf368a.html

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New Mexico

Man charged with child abuse asks judge to go on vacation

by KRQE

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A man charged with child abuse resulting in death was in court Friday, asking for permission to go on vacation.

Police say Spenser Phillips told them back in June that his two month old son fell from a chair. According to the criminal complaint, when Philips and the boy's mom took him to the hospital he had a brain bleed and brain trauma consistent with abuse. He died two days later.

On Friday in court, Philips, who is out on bond, asked the judge to allow him to go on a cruise with his family.

His request was denied.

http://krqe.com/2016/05/13/man-charged-with-child-abuse-asks-judge-to-go-on-vacation/

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Legal Group Weighs Radical Expansion of Sex Crimes

by Stuart Taylor Jr.

Imagine the following case: Two recent college grads meet in a bar, talk, begin kissing, and go to her apartment. After a little more talking, they resume kissing there. He undresses her and initiates sexual intercourse. She neither objects nor resists. He leaves, and they have no further contact. A month later, she files a criminal complaint with police, complaining that this was rape because she never expressed verbal consent and was physically passive.

Under the law as it has been from time immemorial, the woman's complaint would be rejected because her failure to say no or resist would be considered consent.

But under proposals that will be put to a vote on May 17 at the annual meeting of the American Law Institute, the nation's most prestigious drafter of model laws, the man could be charged with of a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Under the letter of the proposed new law, his defense -- "she never said no, or stop, or I don't want this, and she never tried to push me away" -- would not save him from being convicted and imprisoned even if the jury and judge believed him.

These proposals, by a powerful faction of the American Law Institute, are deeply offensive to prominent civil libertarians, feminists, scholars and practicing lawyers, and have provoked a controversy that has deeply divided the ALI.

The proposals have also alarmed the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), which assailed them in a March 2016 statement as "an unconstitutional shifting of the burden of proof requiring the accused to prove that consent was affirmatively given."

The battle within the ALI matters because the radical new proposals would be a giant step toward states prosecuting and imprisoning people for sexual activities that they had reason to believe were consensual.

This comes after more than five years of the Obama administration effectively ordering U.S. colleges and universities to use guilt-presuming procedures to expel scores of young men for similar conduct and a wide range of other sexual activities.

The ALI proposals will, if adopted by its voting members, become part of its influential "Model Penal Code," which dates to 1962. Although such ALI proposals do not themselves have force of law, more than two-thirds of the states have in the past incorporated much or even most of the model code into their criminal laws.

And a vote by ALI members to adopt the current proposals might spur states to adopt them because the proposals would be widely spun as representing the enlightened consensus of legal profession leaders.

That spin would be misleading, because the radical ideologues pushing the current proposals are almost certainly a minority of the ALI's more than 4,500 no-doubt-distinguished members. But the outcome of the May 17 vote is in doubt because only members who take the trouble to travel to Washington, D.C., for the annual meeting can vote.

More than 100 ALI members have mobilized to oppose the proposals of the radical faction's leader, Professor Stephen Schulhofer of NYU Law School, the sex-crime project's powerful chief "reporter." The genteel but fierce debate has raged since 2013.

Schulhofer and "associate reporter" Erin Murphy explained in an “introductory note” to an earlier draft that they wanted to criminalize “commonplace or seemingly innocuous” behavior in order to change “existing social expectations” and reshape social norms.

This reflects their view that many millions of women are routinely pressured to have sex in ways that are not now—but in their view should be—illegal. The current Schulhofer draft would also impose unprecedented limits on defendants' ability to introduce evidence suggesting innocence. The May 17 ALI votes will be on two key sections of the massive "Tentative Draft No. 2": the definitions of "consent" and of "Sexual Penetration Without Consent," a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Taken together, these and other provisions of the proposed draft that will be voted on in the future would impose something very like the "affirmative consent" standard that Schulhofer has championed for decades.

States including California, New York, and Connecticut have recently required universities to expel or discipline students for sexual misconduct if they are found to have had sex without obtaining affirmative consent. Many universities in other states have adopted similar rules.

The Schulhofer proposals would, as NACDL pointed out, effectively shift the burden of proof to the defendant by making him guilty of a sex crime -- even if the accuser neither resisted nor protested -- unless the he can prove that the accuser "communicated willingness" to engage in a specific sexual penetration or touching. The only other defense would be to prove that consent was implied by a prior sexual relationship or other special circumstances.

The proposed definition of "consent" specifies that “[n]either verbal nor physical resistance is required to establish the absence of consent.” It also implies that passivity does not show consent, and it is dangerously unclear as to when silent, mutual foreplay does and does not “communicate willingness.” Another section 213.0(d) adds that “[c]onsent may be revoked at any time…by behavior communicating that the person is no longer willing."

These and other proposals advanced by Schulhofer and his allies would give prosecutors who cannot prove that an actual assault took place an easy way to coerce guilty pleas. The many other proposed expansions of sex crime liability that are to be voted on at a future meeting or meetings include a proposal to make it a 10-year felony to have sex with a partner who is "in a state of mental torpor as a result of intoxication."

This provision would, as Professor Laird Kirkpatrick of the George Washington University Law School wrote, “criminalize a significant percentage of cases where parties who have been drinking subsequently have sexual relations.” Various dictionaries define “torpor” as including “listlessness,” “apathy,” “lethargy” and “having very little energy,” he pointed out.

Most states now treat sex with a person under the influence of alcohol as rape only when the accuser is passed out, or too incapacitated to be able to express refusal.

There is little dispute that the 1962 Model Penal Code's sex crimes provisions are outdated. A large majority of ALI members appears to support, for example, repeal of the 1962 code's recommendations that no man should be convicted of a sex offense “upon the uncorroborated testimony of the alleged victim."

The Schulhofer faction's power reflects the fact that the legal academy, from which comes a large and influential bloc of ALI members, is now ideologically to the left of the vast majority of the nation's population on a host of contentious social issues. The brilliant—but ideologically extreme—Schulhofer was made the chief reporter of the sex-crime project in 2012, after he had circulated a “Prospectus for a Project of Revision.” Critics charge that it provided very little notice that he would use as a blueprint the same wish list of radical changes he had called for in a 1998 book, “Unwanted Sex: The Culture of Intimidation and of Law,” which very few ALI members seem to have read.

The reporters' more than three dozen official advisers include many academics, one trial judge with experience trying rape cases, and very few criminal defense lawyers with such experience.

Schulhofer has expressed indifference to the likelihood that his proposals would ruin the lives of large numbers of innocent people. It is better, he has said, to risk that “many” men be convicted of rape for initiating sex without first obtaining “positive agreement" from their partners—even if the evidence shows that the partners in fact wanted sex—than to allow men accused of rape to escape conviction if their accusers never said no.

He has also suggested that coercing guilty pleas by essentially shifting the burden to rape defendants to prove their innocence is part of his strategy.

More than 100 ALI members said in a January 19, 2016 letter to ALI leaders that the Schulhofer proposals would make felons of people who had no reason to doubt that their sex partners had consented, and would create “whole new categories of ‘statutory rape' under which consenting, competent adults are prohibited from consenting and are statutorily deemed incompetent to consent.”

NACDL added, in its March 2016 statement: “Rather than requiring the prosecution to prove that consent was not given, by definition, the offense would be proved merely upon the proof of a sex act with nothing more. … Sexual communication is often stilted by common emotions including shyness, embarrassment, shame, self-consciousness, and anxiety. Sexual encounters are often fueled by or accompanied by alcohol or other intoxicants.

“While increased communication about sexual behavior is a generally beneficial aspiration it cannot and should not be accomplished through the use of criminal laws,” it continued, adding that rape convictions carry “grave and life-altering penalties.”

Other provisions of the ALI's March 2016 preliminary draft, to be voted on at future meetings, would:

--Make it a crime even for a spouse or “intimate partner” to initiate sex unless he could prove that he “reasonably believed that the complainant would welcome the act.” This standard could, critics say, invite further proliferation of the strategic accusations of sexual and child abuse that already plague divorce and child custody matters.

--Make a felon of anyone providing professional treatment for any mental or emotional health problem, no matter how slight, to a mature adult if the two develop a mutual romantic attachment that leads to sexual penetration.

Perhaps the most concise indictment of the Schulhofer-Murphy project came from Professor Charles Fried of Harvard Law School, a former solicitor general of the United States, in a non-public mid-2015 letter to ALI Director Richard Revesz:

“Instead of clarity and reasonableness,” Fried wrote, “ALI [is] proposing a codified standard that will surely be ignored by most, will be subject to general ridicule, celebrated only by a small cadre of ideologues in the grip of a theory, and if enacted would be an invitation to the kind of extortionate, discretionary, discriminatory enforcement that it is a principal aim of a Model Code to prevent.”

“My preference would be to see the whole project put on a lengthy pause rather than inundating us with drafts at an unusually fast pace,” he added later. “I have little confidence in these Reporters to produce a useful work by continual tinkering.”

Meanwhile, another ALI initiative—the “Project on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct on Campus”—is in the works. It is not yet clear how far-reaching it might be.

Stuart Taylor Jr. is a Washington writer, lawyer and nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2016/05/14/legal_group_weighs_radical_expansion_of_sex_crimes_130557.html

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Colorado

Collaborative foster parent program finds homes for children in Douglas, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties

by Alex DeWind

Kelly Mayr has five birth children, three adopted children and one foster child.

So the month of May, which is National Foster Care month, resonates with her. She's been a foster parent for about five years and, in that time, some 15 children have passed through her home.

“Once you know there's a need, it's hard not to foster,” the Highlands Ranch resident said. “And there is a need all over.”

Mayr fosters through the Collaborative Foster Care Program, a joint effort to help children in the departments of human services of Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties.

On average, 1,100 children in the three counties are in out-of-home care on any given day, according to the program. Forty percent are teenagers. All have experienced trauma and almost all have special needs, including emotional, behavioral, medical or developmental.

The Collaborative Foster Care Program started with Arapahoe and Jefferson counties in 2008 to maximize staff and reach a broader range of potential foster families, said Ruby Richards, the Douglas County child welfare administrator.

“By joining the collaborative, we had a team of people that did the recruiting, training and monthly contact with all of our foster homes,” she said. Today, “we have a staff of about 15 to 20 that manage everything.”

A 'vulnerable time' in children's lives

In 2012, Douglas County joined the program so that it could expand its foster resources. As of May, DouglasCounty had 112 children who had been placed into foster homes. The Parker zip codes of 80134 and 80138, along with 80130 in Highlands Ranch and 80104 in Castle Rock, had the highest number of childrenremoved from their homes, according to program statistics.

Department of Human Services will remove a child from his or her home because of neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or medical neglect.

“Everything that they are familiar with has been ripped away in this incredibly vulnerable time of their life,” said Kala Slater, recruiter for the Collaborative Foster Care Program.

A caseworker then conducts an assessment and, if necessary, the child is placed in a temporary out-of-care home. The birth family works through a treatment plan with the ultimate goal of reunification, Slater said.

“When foster families come to us, we want to get a better understanding of what they are willing to go through to reunify,” she said. “Eighty to 90 percent of the time, kids are reunified with their (birth) families.”

Mayr fostered one of her daughters before adopting her. In her case, reunification wasn't possible, she said. Her daughter's birth parents couldn't provide a permanent home.

Mayr saw no other choice but to adopt.

“You do fall in love,” she said.

The foster family's role

Fostering isn't for everyone. Foster parents must be able to “shut the bedroom door,” Mayr said, because the child will come with baggage — literal and emotional.

Through her experiences, Mayr has learned to be less judgmental.

“Meeting people whose lives are a lot harder is eye-opening,” she said. “It's helped me learn to work with a lot of different personalities.”

The foster family certification process takes about four to five months. Applicants must attend an information night followed by pre-application work, pre-service training, an application, first aid and CPR certification, a home study and final approval.

“It takes a long time for people to commit and find out if this is the right path that they want to take,” Slater said.

Because the foster family's role is to provide a temporary home, there needs to be support of reunification and the willingness to work closely with the child's birth family, Slater said. This often means planning visits more than once a week.

Other ways to help

On average, a child is placed with a foster family for six months.

If a family isn't ready to foster, there are other ways to help. Community members can support by listening, providing meals or helping out at the foster home during busy periods, such as after school.

“There are a million ways that people can support fostering without being a foster parent,” Richards said.

Mayr's friends provided meals, extra clothes and helped paint a bedroom. It's like having a newborn, Mayr said.

She also encourages those who want to help to become respite caregivers, or certified babysitters for foster children, which provides time off for foster parents to rest and recharge.

And developing relationships with other foster parents is crucial, Mayr said: It helps to have a village when navigating the foster care world.

Above all, fostering provides stability during a vulnerable time in a child's life.

Mayr's had her fair share of tears when a child comes and goes, but that is part of the process.

“Even if it hurts, you need to get attached,” Mayr said. “They need you to get attached."

http://highlandsranchherald.net/stories/Collaborative-foster-parent-program-finds-homes-for-children-in-Douglas-Arapahoe-and-Jefferson,213456

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5-15 Parents Talk Back: When Mother's Day hurts

by Aisha Sultan

It's impossible to escape Mother's Day.

While the intent is to show some love for the first person with whom we are wired to bond, it can be a painful day for many.

It's an occasion touched with grief for anyone who lost a mother too young, and for women who struggle with infertility or who have lost a child.

But there's another group rarely discussed around the commercial celebration of motherhood: those who were raised by unloving, abusive or narcissistic mothers.

Across cultures, a mother is considered synonymous with selfless love: a child's natural protector. In the wild, a mama bear is the ultimate fierce guardian.

For those who grew up with this kind of loving, protective mother, it's hard to imagine what it's like being raised by someone so broken she leaves lasting scars.

Rayne Wolfe, author of “Toxic Mom Toolkit: Discovering a Happy Life Despite Toxic Parenting,” is familiar with dreading Mother's Day. The run-up to the holiday can be crushing for those who grew up in an abusive family, she said.

“I was neglected. I was literally not fed. I was exposed to sexual abuse and abused by my mother's second husband,” she said. Wolfe remembers trying to wake up her mother, passed out from drinking, as a child when she was hungry.

Her mother would ask to see her hands.

“If my hands weren't shaking, she wouldn't feed me,” she said.

Making things worse, young victims tend to be ashamed of what they have experienced, and often hide their parent's abuse or neglect.

Mother's Day isn't the only holiday that can be a trigger point for emotional wreckage — Valentine's Day is rough after a breakup, as is Christmas without a loved one.

But there's an added terribleness when even the premise of the holiday taunts you.

Mother's Day is a major commercial event, with total spending projected to reach $21.4 billion this year — outpacing Valentine's Day by nearly a couple billion.

The bombardment in store displays and advertisements is matched by the outpouring of social media tributes. Public adoration flows through our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram timelines all weekend.

I enjoy publicly celebrating my own phenomenal mother, but the day is fraught for those who had to seek refuge from a mother, rather than turn to her for protection and support.

Wolfe, who said she went through a lot of therapy to understand what happened to her as a child, advocates self-protection: In some cases, it makes sense to limit, or even end, contact. Emotional abuse is just as traumatic as physical abuse.

When her mother was dying, a social worker from the hospital called Wolfe and suggested it might be time for her to “bury the hatchet.”

Wolfe asked the social worker if she had ever met Wolfe's mother. She suggested spending some time with her, and then calling Wolfe back if she still believed she needed to be there.

“I never heard from her again,” she said.

As an adult, she has nurtured an online community of those who have suffered from toxic relationships with their mothers. She asks them to start planning, six weeks out, what they will do on Mother's Day.

She gives her readers permission to skip family events that leave them feeling worthless or sad. She encourages them to see their parent with adult eyes.

“It's disheartening when you are a good person, and you don't have a loving mother figure in your life,” she said. Those who were not mothered can feel very isolated.

Fortunately for Wolfe, her father remarried when she was 16. She describes her stepmother, whom Wolfe cared for as she aged, as a beautiful and lovely person.

“There was a part of me that could never trust an older woman,” she said.

Her stepmother helped heal that part; proving that it takes a lot more than biology to be a mother.

http://www.goskagit.com/entertainment/parents-talk-back-when-mother-s-day-hurts/article_0ba8d375-b849-58fa-aa40-15ea0a42174f.html

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Pennsylvania

Commentary

Communities must protect children from sexual abuse

by Debra Todd -- a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice

In my time as a judge, no cases have affected me more than those involving the sexual abuse of children. Throughout my 16 years on the appellate bench, I have been astounded by the sheer number of these cases that come before our courts. These are, indeed, the most appalling of crimes, perpetrated upon the most innocent and vulnerable members of our society.

As a judge and as a mother, I am issuing a wake-up call to mothers.

For most of us, the thought of an adult sexually abusing a child is inconceivable. And yet, we judges see cases in our courtrooms that are too horrific to discuss in polite conversation. Regrettably, these stories repeat themselves day after day in our communities.

Each year, thousands of Pennsylvania children are victims of sexual abuse. Statistics show that 67 percent of victims are under 18; one-third are under 12; and one in seven cases involves a child under 6.

The impact of sexual abuse on a child is profound and long-lasting. And it is often made worse by the conspiracy of silence among adults who look the other way or refuse to believe or protect the child.

Sadly, most instances of child sexual abuse - 88 percent - never come to our attention. Victims may exhibit no physical signs of harm. Fear, secrecy, and intense feelings of shame may prevent children, as well as adults aware of the abuse, from seeking help. Furthermore, assaults often go undetected because most occur in the privacy of the home and in the absence of witnesses.

Nearly all offenders - 96 percent - are male, regardless of whether the crime is committed against a girl or a boy. I have observed that a significant percentage of child sexual-assault cases involves abuse by the mother's boyfriend, the child's stepfather, or even the child's father.

This is why my wake-up call is directed to mothers.

Statistics support my observation, revealing that parents and other caretakers commit 26 percent of the sexual assaults on children, and in cases involving children under 7, almost half of the offenders are family members. The predator is most often a person the child knows intimately and depends on for love and protection.

For older children, the abuser is predominantly an acquaintance, such as a neighbor or a coach, a parent or stepparent, or another relative. Contrary to the perception of many, strangers are the least likely to sexually abuse a child.

Most adults, men and women, who are parenting and nurturing our community's children, are good people and loving caretakers, but some of our children are in jeopardy. Mothers may be too trusting and unaware of the dangers of exposing their children to predatory adults.

The perpetrators may appear to be upstanding members of the community. They may be charming and appear to be genuinely interested in children. Sexual assaults often occur when mothers are at work or asleep and children are left alone with - and at the mercy of - their abuser.

Tragically, sexual abuse can continue for months and even years before it is discovered because children are afraid to speak up. Moreover, sex offenders who victimize children are more than twice as likely to have multiple victims as those who target adults.

In Pennsylvania we strive to protect our children, and we prosecute and punish those who harm them. Our legislature has enacted laws mandating reporting and imposing harsher penalties for sexual crimes against children, and it is incumbent upon the courts to issue sentences that reflect the seriousness of these offenses.

However, the harm to a child cannot be undone, no matter what punishment we impose on the perpetrator. That is why my focus is always on prevention.

We must bring this topic out of the shadows, and make certain it stays in the forefront of our public consciousness, however uncomfortable it may be to discuss. Only then can we make progress in protecting our children from the nightmare of sexual abuse.

So I urge all mothers to be vigilant in protecting our community's children. Never leave your child in the care of someone whom you do not know well and trust completely. Make sure your children know that they can come to you and that you will always keep them safe. Teach them that they have the right to say no to physical contact with others. And, if you suspect any child has been abused, please call the police or call ChildLine 1-800-932-0313 (you may remain anonymous).

Sensational cases of child abductions reported by the national media justifiably result in public outrage. Where, however, is the public outrage for the thousands of children abused each year in their own homes? Where are their advocates? These children too need a voice in the criminal justice system and a place in our public consciousness.

Oklahoma

Adult Clergy Abuse Is Overlooked and Misunderstood: Here's Why

by Erin Crosby

Last week, the archbishop of Oklahoma City removed a priest from his duties after learning the priest had been investigated for sexual battery in San Diego five years ago. In this case, the victim wasn't a child, but a young adult. As an adult victim of clergy sexual abuse myself, I am saddened but not surprised to hear the priest had been charged only of a misdemeanor and allowed to continue pastoral work. Churches of every denomination should stop diminishing the severity of clergy sexual abuse of adults and begin to institute procedures that protect adults as well as children. This type of change starts with understanding conditions that cultivate power abuse.

I was 27 years old when my pastor started touching me sexually. He'd spent the previous two years gaining my trust, confidence, and respect. He took great interest in my life. We talked about my fears, hopes, and spirituality, and he took on the role of a father. I didn't understand he was using his position and power to get close to me and to tear down my defenses.

I was not alone. One in thirty-three women in a congregation has experienced sexual harassment or sexual misconduct from a religious leader at some point in her adult life, according to a 2008 study by Baylor University researcher Diana Garland. Whether it's a sexual overture, proposition, or an ongoing sexual “relationship” with a congregant, such behavior is doubly harmful because it is often misunderstood or dismissed as a relationship between two consenting adults. But I know from my own experiences and from my experiences counseling dozens of adult victims of clergy sexual abuse that these relationships are not affairs. They are not consensual. Predator pastors have mastered the art of power abuse to prey on women in their care, often intentionally “grooming” their victims and their congregation to accept this behavior.

Thanks to countless media stories, many people have come to understand predator priests groom children by “building trust with a child and with adults around the child in an effort to gain access to and time alone with her/him,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice's National Sex Offender Public Website. But this also happens with adults as well. Predator pastors groom their adult victims—spending one-on-one time together, isolating the victim from others, initiating subtle touches, asking about personal matters—as well as the entire congregation, desensitizing adults to behaviors and practices that result in compromised boundaries and silence. Often, the pastor does this by reinforcing more traditional views of the Bible, such as gender roles that define men as authoritative leaders and women as submissive helpers. This dynamic makes women vulnerable. It made me vulnerable. On many occasions when I angry about what my pastor was doing to me, I didn't say anything to him or anyone else because I believed it was disrespectful to question or challenge him.

Power abuse can be systemic. The archbishop of Oklahoma City misused his authority in his initial statement about the incident, describing it as “inappropriate” and a “lapse in judgement.” His language condoned and promoted abuse of adults, while diminishing the harm done.

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City took a step in the right direction in removing the priest from his pastoral duties, but churches of every denomination need to do much more. Ninety-two percent of respondents in the Baylor study said sexual advances were made toward them in secret. Churches must educate their communities about power abuse and grooming from the pulpit. Doing so removes the veil of protection covering predator pastors. Church policies need to be developed in partnership with organizations like Faith Trust Institute. And, churches must push for legislation that defines sexual contact with a congregant as illegal. Only by understanding, recognizing, and condemning the abuse of power in any sexual situation can churches be safe places again.

The Catholic Church should serve as an example to every denomination of what can happen when power is abused. When a predator has the very authority of God to victimize his prey, everyone is vulnerable. Churches should move swiftly toward prevention before clergy sexual abuse of adults becomes the next scandal to rock the church.

Erin O. Crosby is a former leader of the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and a participant in Dallas Public Voices Greenhouse.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/religionnow/2016/05/adult-clergy-abuse-is-overlooked-and-misunderstood-heres-why/

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Illinois

Clergy Sex Abuse Survivors and Family May Still Get Their Day in Court

Illinois Sexual Abuse Case Results in Minimal Punishment Due to Statute of Limitations

by David Mittleman

Illinois lawmakers may soon vote to eliminate the state's statute of limitations on child sex abuse crimes. The move comes in response to the 15-month sentence given last month to former Illinois House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Although Hastert admitted molesting teenage boys he coached decades ago, the statute of limitations had run on those crimes. Hastert could only be sentenced for a financial crime related to his efforts to pay one of his victims millions of dollars in hush money to cover up the crime.

In Hastert's case, Scott Cross told a Chicago federal courtroom last month what he called “his darkest secret”: that Hastert, his high school wrestling coach, had molested him in 1979. It was a secret Cross held for 36 years.

The federal judge in the case expressed frustration that he could only sentence the former House speaker for providing hush money payments because the statute of limitations. “I am also frustrated,” Chicago U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon said after Hastert's sentencing hearing. “I wish Mr. Hastert had been called on the carpet in 1968, and we'd all be better for it.”

Unlike in the 1960s and '70s when Hastert sexually abused his victims, Illinois now allows victims of child sexual abuse to bring charges 20 years after they turn 18. But even that's not enough time, according to professionals who treat, counsel and advocate for survivors of sex abuse.

The Psychology of Sexual Abuse Prevents Victims from Speaking Out

Polly Poskin of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault says people who are abused as children and adolescents find it difficult to speak out because their abuser is often someone they know and trust and who is also likely to be respected in the community. As children are brought up to trust and respect adults, so the dynamics of the situation can be difficult to understand. “That is the primary reason victims do not report — they won't be believed,” she says.

Poskin says victims often struggle for years to understand what happened to them and why, and she says many blame themselves and feel pain, shame and guilt. “So often times they suffer in silence,” she says. Poskin says it can takes decades for victims to come to terms with the abuse and even longer to report it. Often times when they do make the report years later, they find out then that the statute of limitations on the crime or civil case has already run out. This can be devastating.

Some States Recognize the Need for a Special Statute of Limitations- Michigan is Not One of Them

Reporting by a victim of childhood sexual abuse may result in criminal charges, conviction and punishment (i.e. time in prison). A victim may also have a claim for civil damages for the breach of a position of trust and the pain, suffering and mental distress that results from sexual abuse. There are statutes of limitations for both civil and criminal cases, and I believe they should be extended or eliminated for both types of cases.

By giving them until age 38 to come forward, Illinois is one of the better states for survivors of child sex abuse. Legal experts advocate for completely eliminating statutes of limitations for sex abuse, which she says only Delaware and Minnesota have done.

On the other end of the spectrum are Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi and New York, which give victims just three to five years to come forward. States' time limits can vary based on whether it's a criminal or civil case, and they can differ depending on the type of abusive conduct.

Nonetheless, many states revised statutes of limitations after the Catholic church sex abuse scandals, and now there are new proposals to lengthen or eliminate time constraints for reporting child sex abuse in several states, including Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Minnesota recently lifted its statute of limitations and opened a window for people to file civil lawsuits for past abuse.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse by clergy or another adult they trusted should not give up even if the statute of limitations has run on their civil or criminal case. There is a trend toward eliminating and lengthening the statute of limitations for these injustices. I urge victims to have faith and not give up, this issue is too important, and they may one day have their day in court.

Pope Calls for Justice- We Should Too

Last fall on a tour of the U.S., Pope Francis said: “The crimes and sins of sexual abuse of minors cannot be kept secret any longer. I commit myself to the zealous watchfulness of the church to protect minors, and I promise that all those responsible will be held accountable.” With the Pope's words, and patience and persistence from victims, their families, advocates and supporters, I believe that Michigan will one day recognize that this injustice should be brought to light.

For survivors, their families, and others passionate about this issue, make a call or write a letter or e-mail to your State politicians and urge them to reconsider the statute of limitations for these heinous crimes. I will do whatever I can to push for an elimination of the statute of limitations in Michigan. This issue is too important, and justice calls for it. With patience and persistence, I hope that one day our State will stop protecting perpetrators.

http://lansing.legalexaminer.com/uncategorized/clergy-sex-abuse-survivors-and-family-may-still-get-their-day-in-court/

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Washington

How the tech industry is fueling the local sex trade

by Ruchika Tulshyan

Most Seattleites are divided on what the tech industry has brought to our region. Champions love the economic opportunities and talent influx. Others are frustrated with rising income inequality including skyrocketing home prices, traffic, and a more white and male dominated Seattle than ever before. Compounded by all these factors, an unintended consequence has recently emerged – the rise of sex trafficking.

On Tuesday, the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) organized a first-of-its-kind symposium named “Sex Trafficking & the Tech Industry,” featuring leaders from a variety of organizations such as Madrona Ventures and Rover.com, as well as angel investors. The conference was prompted by the fact that “demand for commercial sex is driven by white collar individuals,” according WTIA chief Michael Schutzler.

“We have a real opportunity for the tech industry to have an impact and lead by example,” Schutzler said. All speakers there, even the ones who combat it daily through law and policy-making, argued that the criminal justice system alone cannot resolve the growing issue of sex trafficking.

The local statistics on the sex trade are sobering. According to an ongoing study by the Organization of Prostitution Survivors, 63 percent of prostituted people say they met clients on company properties. In one 24 hour-period in Seattle, an estimated 6,487 people solicited sex on only one of the 100+ websites that connect supply with demand, according to a 2014 study. Among a small sample size of the 104 people charged with soliciting sex with minors in King County, 12 percent worked in the tech industry – as much as workers in transportation, construction and manufacturing.

The mismatch between buyers and sex workers is stark; 80 percent of buyers are white — a disproportionate amount, even in largely-white Seattle. The largest demographic of women in the local sex trade – 44 percent – are African American, according to King County data.

“Sex trafficking is not a democracy,” said King County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Valiant Richey. “It's a dictatorship that's centered around making money through exploitation.” And those from lower socioeconomic and minority backgrounds stand to lose the most, he said.

So where does the tech industry fall into all of this? First, as an enabler. The study cited earlier found that 78 percent of child trafficking is conducted using technology. The industry is also a consumer – middle and upper class white men are some of the most frequent buyers of sex, Richey noted, and represent the majority of tech staffers. As they occupy a growing proportion of Seattle's population and workforce, demand is only expected to surge. In fact, one 2014 study found Seattle's sex trade could be the fastest-growing in our nation by a long shot. While many metropolitan areas have seen their sex economies stagnate or decline since 2005, Seattle has seen a 120 percent increase in the last decade.

The tech industry's male-dominated “brogrammer” culture was highlighted repeatedly by speakers. From the sexist depictions of women in popular video games — including games that show violence or even sexual abuse of women on screen — to the overall paltry representation of women in technical jobs, it's no stretch to say the industry is inhospitable to women, and that breeds unhealthy attitudes among its workers.

The link between male-dominated industries, misogyny and the flesh trade is not hard to draw – Forbes last year reported that the hottest lunch spot for tech workers in San Francisco was a strip club. Madrona partner Bill Richter recalled an incident at a previous company, in which an employee submitted a travel expense titled “gratuity,” which was later uncovered as his taking clients to a strip club. According to Richter, the employee didn't see a problem with it, and using adult entertainment to secure business.

Since nearly two-thirds of prostitutes reported servicing clients on company premises in the afternoon, should tech company handbooks explicitly state “no sex with prostitutes at work?” Brent Turner, Chief Operating Officer of Rover.com said he was skeptical that would work in tech's “less rules” ecosystem.

“I'm dubious if company policy would be effective in wiping out this problem,” Turner said. “I think it's about creating company culture and values that wouldn't allow for this. It's things like how much a leader would call out men who degrade women. We need to get uncomfortable.”

Drugstore.com's former chief, Lepore said creating job opportunities for vulnerable women within the tech industry, would be among the “levers to pull.” Just 25 percent of employees in the tech industry here are female, and a much smaller percentage are women of color. Job training programs for young women and underrepresented minorities within tech could make a significant dent on the number of women being trafficked, she said, as would more women in leadership roles within the industry. Both would minimize the sexism rampant in the industry, which feeds into larger social problems that fuels demand for paid sex.

“VCs especially must play a part in calling out discrimination, everyone is responsible,” she said.

While technology has become one of the biggest enablers for sex trafficking and commercial sex, each speaker also pointed to its role as the solution. “I've seen some of the smartest people come up with innovative ways to make you buy, for example, a pair of Nikes at exactly the moment you want it…the ad will pop up at exactly the right time you are looking for it subconsciously,” said Richter.

“Imagine if those brains could develop technology which connects sex buyers to a help site just as they're thinking about buying sex online?”

Companies interested in getting more involved on this issue were directed to check out event partner Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking , a nonprofit helping employers learn how to prevent sex trafficking, and connecting survivors and at-risk women with job training programs.

It's become clear that tech's rampant racial and gender inequality can't be separated from the growth of the sex industry in Seattle. By focusing on these issues, tech leaders can address exploitation while fixing a business problem they can't afford to ignore.

http://crosscut.com/2016/05/how-the-tech-industry-is-fueling-the-local-sex-trade/

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California

Santa Barbara County Supervisors Get Update on Programs for Child Sex-Trafficking Survivors

by Giana Magnoli

Santa Barbara County agencies have confirmed there are dozens of survivors of sex trafficking locally, and are working on collaborative approaches to prevent exploitation and provide services to the victims.

District Attorney Joyce Dudley spearheaded a task force in 2013, and a group produced a report on Domestic Child Sex Trafficking in June 2015.

The county needs to do everything it can to protect children from exploitation, and provide services to prevent further victimization, Dudley told the Board of Supervisors during a presentation Tuesday.

Santa Barbara County is a hub for sex trafficking: when someone uses force fraud or coercion to induce a commercial sex act or causes a minor to commit a commercial sex act in exchange for money, drugs, food, shelter or clothes.

Domestic child sex trafficking means the children are American, and many are Santa Barbara County residents.

“Once individuals are sex trafficked, their average life expectancy is estimated at only another 7-10 years, with homicide and AIDS being the top causes of death,” according to the county's report.

“According to an FBI victim specialist for Los Angeles, the Central Coast is a hub for sex trafficking, since until recently the crime was rarely identified, investigated or prosecuted. Recent investigations and victim testimony have revealed that Santa Barbara County is a natural transit corridor for trafficking activity between major metropolitan areas to the south and north.”

The DA's Office has prosecuted seven human-trafficking cases since 2013, with three people convicted, two on trial now, and two more pending trial, Dudley said.

The report presented recommendations for prevention and treatment, since a one-dimensional support system is not effective, and the victims are often reluctant to get services, said Megan Rheinschild of the DA's Office.

Victims have significant fear of and loyalty to the exploiters, she said.

Most survivors the county sees, girls ages 11-18, have histories of trauma back to childhood, have grown up in the foster care system, and haven't had the benefits of forming healthy relationships with adults, she said.

“The exploiter offers love, affection and material goods, and they're an easy target to recruit.”

Santa Barbara County agencies found 45 confirmed cases of sexual human trafficking in minors between 2012 and 2014, according to a report published last year. Demand was also documented, with an observed 675 online escort ads seen within two weeks.

The report found another 80 suspected child survivors of sex trafficking, who have significant risk factors but don't come out and say it, and 461 children who are vulnerable.

Vulnerable populations include children who grow up in the foster care system, or have a history of truancy, homelessness, or involvement with the juvenile justice system.

Of the 45 confirmed cases, 44 percent of them were found by mental health staff in Juvenile Hall, another 42 percent through law enforcement and the rest through child welfare services.

Recommendations from last year's report include finding more emergency, transitional and permanent housing for victims, proactive investigations, collaboration between agencies, substance-abuse treatment for children, and creating a centralized data management system.

The CSEC Court, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, is a collaborative effort between county agencies to find the best treatment plan for girls on probation, said Devin Drake, deputy director of adult & children services in the Social Services Department.

Lack of resources is a challenge since not all the treatment interventions are reimbursable by Medi-Cal, and the county's RISE grant program only lasts for three years.

The Department of Behavioral Wellness RISE program – Resiliency Interventions for Sexual Exploitation – provides services for physical, social, psychological and biological needs.

Programs need to offer safety, shelter, food, clothing and health care, said RISE program head Lisa Conn.

“If we take care of those needs, then those traffickers have less to work with to exploit them,” Conn said.

The county is planning a daytime drop-in center in Santa Maria, and is partnering with the faith community to look at funding apartments for survivors who are over 18, she said.

Behavioral Wellness staff have trained more than 500 people in CSEC 101, including outreach to local hotels and motels on how to spot the signs of child sex trafficking, Conn said.

To further develop its programs, the county is bringing on sex trafficking survivor Carissa Phelps, public speaker and author of Runaway Girl , to train staff on resiliency training, which is a deprogramming process for survivors, Conn said.

Phelps will also train other survivors to become mentors, she said.

“You can't do this without survivors helping develop your program.”

People convicted of trafficking minors can face three years to life in prison, said Mag Nicola of the District Attorney's Office.

A trial against two men accused of trafficking a 16-year-old girl began in Santa Maria Superior Court Tuesday, and last March, Brannon Lawrence Pitcher was sentenced to 28 years to life in prison for forcing a 16-year-old girl into prostitution.

“It's clearly an issue that we had no idea the extent of,” said Third District county Supervisor Doreen Farr, who asked for an annual update on program efforts and plans for funding once the RISE grant runs out.

On Monday, a bill passed the state Assembly that would allow judges to consider vulnerability of the victim when sentencing people convicted of human trafficking cases.

AB 2513, presented by Assemblyman Das Williams, D-Carpinteria, would consider it an aggravating factor if “defendants recruited, enticed, or obtained the victim from a shelter or placement that is designed to serve runaway youth, foster children, homeless persons, or victims of human trafficking or domestic violence.”

http://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_barbara_county_agencies_update_supervisors_child_sex_trafficking

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Past child abuse may influence adult response to antidepressants

by Fox News

Antidepressants don't work for everyone, and having a history of abuse during childhood may signal a low likelihood that the drugs will improve an adult's symptoms of major depression, a recent study suggests.

While there are few reliable predictors of which people will respond to specific antidepressants, lots of previous research links a history of trauma early in life with how well people tend to do on these drugs, researchers note in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

"The presence of trauma history should be taken into account when making treatment decisions," said Leanne Williams of Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System in California, lead author of the new study.

"Based on our findings, if you have experienced abuse or neglect early in life you are 1.6 times less likely to benefit from a typical first line antidepressant than a person who hasn't had this experience," Williams said by email. "In this case, consideration should be given to alternative medications plus adjunctive therapies that address the trauma issues as well as the current experience of depression."

To see how common childhood trauma is among depressed patients, Williams and her team compared 1,000 people diagnosed with major depression to 336 similar people who didn't have depression. They also looked at how each of the patients with depression responded to eight weeks of treatment with one of three randomly assigned antidepressants - escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft) or extended release venlafaxine (Effexor).

Childhood trauma was much more common among the depressed adults, with about 63 percent reporting two or more experiences of either childhood abuse, neglect, loss of a parent or sibling, exposure to domestic violence, family breakup, severe health crisis, or some other significant violence or loss in childhood. Roughly 28 percent of people in the healthy control group reported two or more such childhood traumas.

About 22 percent of the people with depression in the study, and 5 percent of the healthy controls said they had experienced some type of physical abuse during childhood.

Sexual abuse occurred during childhood for 16 percent of the depressed participants and 5 percent of the controls.

Depressed patients in the study were also four times more likely to report a history of emotional abuse - 43 percent of them experienced this compared with 9 percent of the controls.

In addition, 41 percent of the depressed participants and 31 percent of the control group said their parents divorced or separated during childhood.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/05/13/past-child-abuse-may-influence-adult-response-to-antidepressants.html

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Texas

Pediatrician: 'Asking why is sometimes futile' about child abuse

Latest cases involve allegations of withholding food, other abuse

by Jessie Degollado

SAN ANTONIO - After a string of high-profile child-abuse cases and deaths, a San Antonio doctor who specialized in child-abuse cases said, at times, it is futile to ask why.

As one of only 200 pediatricians in the nation specializing in child-abuse cases, Dr. Natalie Kissoon said the Center for Miracles at the Children's Hospital of San Antonio has seen cases of withholding food coupled with other forms of abuse and neglect.

“Asking the question ‘Why?' is sometimes futile,” Kissoon said. “It's very hard to understand the motive of someone who has hurt a child.”

The latest high-profile case in Bexar County involves the death of a 7-month-old infant two days before Christmas. The baby weighed only 10 lbs., just three pounds more than when he was born.

His parents, Marquita Johnson and Qwalion Busby, were arrested Wednesday, and remain in the Bexar County Jail under $100,000 bonds, charged with injury to a child - serious bodily injury by omission.

“They knew they were killing that child slowly. They're guilty. They didn't do enough to get that baby help,” said Lori Ann Gonzales, a volunteer with the child advocacy group, Eagles Flight Advocacy and Outreach.

Gonzales also is the mother of a special-needs child.

Kissoon said nutrition is vital in the first two years of life when the brain can triple in size.

She said without it, there's a risk of failure to grow as the child should, developmental delays and cognitive impairment.

But others are able to recover, she said.

Much like last month's case in which two of eight children were restrained in the backyard of a northeast Bexar County duplex, Kissoon said, “You might have children singled out from the family.”

In court testimony Wednesday, a foster mother testified those two children now constantly want food.

The child advocacy volunteer said she's even seen children “hoarding food.”

“Anywhere they see food, they'll grab that food and they will hide it and take it with them,” Gonzales said.

http://www.ksat.com/news/child-abuse-pediatrician-asking-why-is-sometimes-futile

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Child advocacy center explains possible signs of child abuse

by KTUU

ANCHORAGE (KTUU) -- It can be a difficult conversation to have with children, but it can be the key to keeping them safe from predators.

Experts say listening may be just as important as talking when it comes to discussing child abuse.

Several different agencies work side by side on each case including: Anchorage Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Office of Children's Services and Alaska CARES.

Alaska CARES, a child advocacy center in Anchorage, is one of 12 center in the state which helps investigate allegations of child abuse.

Research shows sex offenders target families where the line of communication between parents and their children isn't open, according to Alaska CARES manager, Bryant Skinner.

"Good communication is important across the board, but in terms of potential abuse that's going on I think whenever they might see behavior changes to just talk to them and see what's going on," Skinner said. "It might not be some abusive event, it might be bullying at school or something else going on so I think it's always good for parents to be mindful of their children's behavior."

Alaska CARES investigates about 900 cases of suspected child abuse each year.

"I think communities are getting better at recognizing child maltreatment and reporting so I don't necessarily see 900 children a year as a negative," Skinner said. "I see it as people are recognizing the behaviors or when a child discloses they come forward and talk about what is going on."

Of Alaska CARES' cases, Skinner said about 70 percent are related to sexual abuse with the majority of victims under age 12.

Other cases involve physical abuse or child neglect.

While children may not be impacted by sex abuse specifically, Skinner said parents need to pay attention to what their child may be trying to say.

"The first thing is if a child discloses something that is concerning to make a report," Skinner said. "We have a lot of cases where parents choose not to report even when their children are disclosing abuse."

Other signs of possible abuse include: behavioral changes, problems in school, bullying activities or acting out sexually.

When children and their families enter Alaska CARES, they're greeted by a sea of fuzzy teddy bears and colorful quilts along the walls.

Its decorative nature is designed to create a safe environment for children to talk about something difficult, Skinner said.

Dr. Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, Alaska CARES medical director said the center also provides medical treatment and examinations for children who have disclosed abuse during a forensic interview, are too young to be interviewed or displaying physical symptoms.

The exam room features a polar bear table with brightly painted walls, also designed to put patients at ease.

"They have pain or they have bleeding or they have visible signs of injury at this point," Dr. Baldwin-Johnson said. "When we do those exams, it's a head to toe exam so we start with something that's very similar and familiar to them as when they go to their primary care provider for their regular check-ups."

Sometimes exam results reveal key evidence for cases to be prosecuted and can be documented in writing and photos.

"It's a way of not only providing documentation of what's going on for them, but also really helps with future efforts to protect those children..." Dr. Baldwin-Johnson said. "...whether it's showing that yes there is a serious injury and their parents need to learn other ways to discipline their kids so they're not physically injuring them or whether it's a case that needs to be criminally prosecuted."

Through providing health care, Dr. Baldwin-Johnson said it's a way of showing each child life can get better.

"Regardless of the things that have happened to them, they have the opportunity for healing and they have the opportunity for a better future," Dr. Baldwin-Johnson said.

http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Child-Advocacy-Center-Explains-How-to-Talk-to-Children-About-Possible-Abuse-379254401.html

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FBI looks at child-abuse allegations at N.Y. Jewish school

by Jonathan Bandler

KIRYAS JOEL, N.Y. — A federal probe in this predominantly ultra-Orthodox village is focusing on child-abuse allegations at a school and how authorities responded to them, a law-enforcement source said Friday.

On Thursday, FBI agents executed search warrants at United Talmudical Academy school buildings and at a trailer that houses the village Department of Public Safety. They spent about four hours in each location and left with boxes of documents and equipment.

The raids came a week after two videos were posted on the Internet showing a school principal in close physical contact with young male students. The principal is not being identified because no charges have been filed.

The videos, purportedly taken several months ago, came from a ceiling camera in the office of the 67-year-old principal. The identity of those who hid the camera and leaked the videos has not been revealed publicly.

The school's board of directors issued a statement this week defending the principal as a well-regarded, longtime educator in the village and insisting that no abuse occurred. United Talmudical Academy is a private Jewish school with almost 6,000 students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

The principal has not returned numerous calls in the past week, and his wife said last week he had nothing to say to a reporter. On Thursday, a neighbor said the couple was away, but the law enforcement official, who asked not to be named because the individual is not an official spokesperson, said the principal was at the school when the raids occurred and has continued working at the school since the controversy erupted last week.

On May 2, the state police launched an investigation in conjunction with the Orange County District Attorney's Office and county Child Abuse Unit after a call to the state child-abuse hot line directed them to the first video that had been posted online.

State police Maj. Joseph Tripodo, commander at Troop F headquarters in Pomona, N.Y., said a similar video investigated in the fall did not result in criminal charges. The child-abuse unit, which the state police supervises, conducted that probe.

While District Attorney's investigators from Orange and Sullivan counties assisted federal agents in Thursday's raids, New York State Police had no involvement.

Tripodo said Thursday that he knew of no connection between the videos and the federal raids taking place in the village. He could not be reached immediately Friday.

Moses Witriol, the village's public safety director, also could not be reached for comment Friday.

Someone who answered the phone at the public safety department referred calls to Ari Felberman, who handles government relations for the village. He did not return a phone message.

On Thursday, the village issued a statement saying officials there had "fully cooperated" with law-enforcement requests while agents were at the public safety building.

http://www.12news.com/news/nation-now/fbi-looks-at-childabuse-allegations-at-ny-jewish-school/190365644

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Georgia

Officers get child abuse detection training

by Wright Gazaway

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Albany law enforcement is working to better detect child abuse, to keep the community safe.

Officers with Albany and Dougherty County Police Departments, and representatives from Open Arms participated in the class Friday at the Law Enforcement Center.

Nurses from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta gave them tips on ways to detect child abuse.

Cases like the death of Nyelle Garrison earlier this year make this class even more important.

"It's very important with everything that's going on today. We want to be on top of things and able to recognize different things that go on so we don't miss anything," said Corporal Marita Williams, of the Albany Police Department

Garrison's mother, 28-year-old Clarion Garrison faces two charges: concealing the death of another, and felony probation violation.

http://www.wtoc.com/story/31968863/officers-get-child-abuse-detection-training

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California

Parents wrongly put on a child abuser list will get $4.1 million to settle their suit

by Garrett Therolf

The father and stepmother of a 15-year-old runaway girl who falsely accused them of child abuse are set to receive $4.1 million from the state and Los Angeles County to settle a lawsuit that contended their civil rights were violated when a sheriff's deputy placed their names on a list of child abusers.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $2.4-million payout at their meeting Tuesday, and state lawmakers approved an additional $1.7 million in October.

In addition to the payout, county officials spent $935,000 on lawyers' fees to fight the suit filed by Craig and Wendy Humphries.

"This could have all been avoided for the price of a postage stamp if the county had simply asked the state to get them off the list," said Esther Boynton, the Humphries' attorney.

In 2001, the Humphries went to jail after the rebellious teenager fled to Utah and told police that the two had abused her. While the Valencia couple were locked up, sheriff's deputies placed their two younger children in foster care.

Eight days later, the couple were released and the family was reunited following the filing of a misdemeanor charge. The couple's names were also entered by a sheriff's deputy into California's Child Abuse Central Index identifying them as "substantiated" child abusers.

The information in the database is available to aid law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, and to provide notification of new child abuse investigation reports involving the same suspects or victims. Information is also available to social welfare agencies to help screen applicants for employment in child care facilities, schools and foster homes.

Four months after the couple were added to the list, all charges were dismissed, and a judge declared them "factually innocent."

But they learned that there was no way to remove their names from the database. Wendy Humphries, a teacher, had to hire an attorney to avoid losing her credentials because employers of people who work with children are required to consult the index.

For years, state and county officials pointed fingers at each other, saying the other entity was responsible for removing the couple from the list. It wasn't until 2012 that a district court judge ordered the county to notify the California Department of Justice that the Humphries proved to be "non substantiated" in 2001.

New procedures have since been put in place to notify people when their names are added to the registry, and an appeals process was instituted for those believing they were wrongly listed.

"I believe there are many people on the database who don't even know they are there," Boynton said.

The database, she said, "started with the best of intentions, but the information needs to be accurate for it to work."

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-child-abuse-list-mistake-20160511-snap-story.html

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Massachusetts

Adams woman guilty of failing to report child's abuse allegations

by Bob Dunn

PITTSFIELD — A jury took about three hours to decide an Adams woman was guilty of failing to report abuse allegations from a teenage girl.

Heather M. Shurtleff, 39, was convicted Wednesday of one count of reckless endangerment of a child, but acquitted of one count of intimidation of a witness.

Testimony in her trial began Tuesday.

Judge John Agostini ordered her held without bail pending her sentencing hearing scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday.

Assistant Berkshire District Attorney Rachael Eramo, who prosecuted the case, told jurors Shurtleff did "absolutely nothing," when the girl, now 18, disclosed to her on two separate occasion she'd been sexually abused.

Those abuses occurred between Feb. 6, 2011, and May 20, 2014.

According to Massachusetts General Law, the maximum penalty for a reckless endangerment of a child conviction is up to 2 1/2 years in jail.

The abuser was convicted of rape and assault charges last year and sentenced to up to 12 years in prison.

Opinion

Church Can Heal Child Abuse Survivors

by Michael Reagan

Atheists have a remarkable amount of faith in the church. It's really almost touching.

They appear to believe that when someone enters a church he becomes superhuman, if not supernatural, and should be held to a much higher standard of conduct than mere secular people.

But we know better.

People inside churches are just as human as anyone else and sometimes more so.

We know we fall short and one of the most visible and damaging areas where churches and church members have fallen short recently is in the area of sexual abuse.

In too many instances the church has either failed to protect children, or possibly worse, failed to respond with mercy and understanding when abuse comes to light. That's why a recent article in The Persistent Voice is full of valuable advice for churches and Christians.

It has 10 strong suggestions or commandments for churches and church members to follow, both in internal church policy and external example setting.

First, the church needs strong child protection policies based on guidelines like those endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control or the denomination to which the church belongs.

Second, the focus should include both abuse within the church building and it should look for signs of abuse in children that may be happening away from the church in homes, schools, or youth organizations.

Third, pastors and church staff need much more extensive training in recognizing, preventing and reporting child abuse.

Fourth, the church should provide personal safety education to children involved in church programs. That knowledge can help shield them when an adult attempts to lead them astray.

Fifth, build alliances with government child protection agencies so when needed, the church can step in and provide the care and understanding that government is ill–equipped to provide.

Sixth, the church should provide help for child abuse survivors. If the church doesn't have the resources to provide counseling or group treatment, it can act as a clearinghouse for information and as a liaison with groups that do provide this type of help.

Seventh, directly face the spiritual impact of child abuse.

Don't let the abuser drive the child away from Christ.

This is probably the most difficult of the tasks. Explaining how a loving God did not intervene to stop the abuse is a tough, tough question that cannot be answered with superficial Bible verse spouting.

This is a vital and crucial step for making the child or adult survivor whole again and should only be attempted by senior church leadership.

Eighth, discuss discipline and correction with new and existing parents.

Ninth, deliver a sermon or start a multiweek Bible study on child abuse.

And 10, the church and church members must listen to abuse survivors and surround them with love and leave the judgment to Judgment Day.

http://www.newsmax.com/MichaelReagan/Child-Abuse-Children-Churches/2016/05/10/id/728053/

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Texas

Woman's Faith-Based Program Helps Rehabilitate Sex Offenders

by Courtney Gilmore

As a child, Martha "Marti" Martin suffered years of sexual abuse, but in her adult life found freedom. She was able to heal from her past and has dedicated her time to helping other survivors of sexual assault. Recently she has decided to focus her efforts on sex offenders.

"I believe that focusing my efforts on the offenders rather than their victims may begin to lessen the number of sexual abuse cases," she said.

Her presentation is called "So Now What? Next Steps to Transformation" and she has taken her program into the prison in Huntsville. During the program, which is faith based, she facilitates a three hour interactive workshop to 75 inmates.

"I focus a lot on their past, because many of them have been victims of sexual abuse themselves," she said. "Until they go back and deal with their issues they don't understand why they have certain affinities. Again, those memories are ingrained in us whether we like it or not, victim or not."

Martin's efforts were acknowledged by the state of Texas when she was given the Sex Offender Rehabilitation Program Award during the Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Ceremony.

"I think the misconception so often is that, once they're incarcerated for their crime that we're just never gonna have to deal with them again," she said. "And that's just simply not true. They're coming and out and they are coming to a neighborhood near you."

There are currently 2,958 registered sex offenders in Dallas and 971 registered sex offenders in Fort Worth.

Martin has plans to turn her prison presentation into a workbook that sex offenders can use to further understand their actions, and the consequences of their actions. She's also hoping to have her program implemented into other prisons in Texas.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Womans-Faith-Based-Program-Helps-to-Rehabilitate-Sex-Offenders-378961511.html

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Ohio

OUSAOP no longer offers confidential counseling following the university's interpretation of federal and state laws

by Julia Fair

The Ohio University Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program is no longer offering confidential counseling — a term it agreed to provide when it received state funding.

Program directors agreed to offer confidential counseling as a “special condition” in order to receive funding from the Victims of Crime Act Victims Fund and the Rape Crisis Program Trust Fund, Catherine Wargo, OUSAOP program director, said.

Ohio University's felony reporting policies were altered in January, which led to the confidentiality change and diminished services in the program.

“As an advocate, I believe that survivors of violence should have access to confidential services,” Wargo said in an email.

Wargo said one of the special conditions for the grants was that "the (awarded) organization must maintain confidentiality of client information as required by federal and state law.”

But Katie Quaranta, an OU spokeswoman, said the program still abides by those stipulations.

“SAOP maintains the confidentiality of client information to the extent permitted by federal and state law.” Quaranta said in an email. “Applicable law mandates reporting in certain situations, including: child and elder abuse, imminent threat of harm to self and/or others, and, unless there is privilege, felony reporting.”

However, there are exemptions to that statute, Katie Hanna, executive director of statewide advocacy group the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, said.

“One of the exemptions is for a bona fide program that is focused on supporting survivors of sexual assault,” Hanna said.

Those exemptions have historically been interpreted to be for rape crisis centers, Hanna said, adding that OUSAOP is considered a rape crisis program in Ohio.

Wargo said in order for any program to apply for and be awarded funding by the Ohio Attorney General's office, it has to commit to providing confidential resources. With the change to the program, those resources aren't offered.

The grant money the program currently receives is used to pay for the salaries and programming of OUSAOP, which is supported by Ohio University's Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Quaranta said.

OUSAOP employs two full-time employees, a program coordinator and an outreach coordinator serving Hocking and Vinton counties, two part time student office workers and many volunteer advocates, Quaranta said.

Following the change in confidentiality, those employees now inform survivors of its reporting requirements immediately upon contact and suggest that survivors remain anonymous, unless they are interested in moving forward with law enforcement or legal reporting, Quaranta added.

“There are so many barriers that survivors face in reporting trauma of what has happened,” Hanna said. “A mandatory reporting of identifiable adult victim information can have a chilling effect on survivors seeking services.”

OUSAOP has served Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Perry and Vinton Counties since 2013. Prior to that, there was a gap in services in southeastern Ohio, Hanna said.

“When we see there isn't a service provider or a confidential place to go, we often see a survivor may not even tell anyone,” she said.

OUSAOP is still open, but the lack of confidentiality has led to some changes.

The biggest impact on services will be “person advocacy,” Wargo said, pointing to medical accompaniment situations and walk-in office advocacy.

OUSAOP trains more advocates to reach Perry, Meigs, Athens

Athens, Perry and Meigs county benefit from Ohio University Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program.

“Advocates may not be able to support survivors fully, as identifiable and reportable information may be shared during in-person advocacy and accompaniment,” Wargo said in an email.

Research has shown that survivors of violence are more likely to come forward and seek services, including reporting sexual violence, when confidential resources are available, Wargo added.

“The lack of confidentiality could create an environment that deters survivors from reaching out for services,” Wargo said in an email.

Confidentiality also allows survivors and advocates to create a relationship of trust and safety that promotes survivors' ability to make choices based on their own best interests, Wargo added.

Research also shows that when confidential services are offered, there's an increase in survivors reaching out to access service, as well as following through with reporting to law enforcement, she said.

“Confidentiality allows survivors to access information and support from advocates who have been trained in trauma informed services,” Wargo said in an email.

http://www.thepostathens.com/news/ousaop-no-longer-offers-confidential-counseling-following-the-university-s/article_3cc34b92-16f1-11e6-bd1d-57146453419b.html

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Michigan

Youth face serious challenges met with silence

by Dale Wyngarden

Grandparents blessed with watching their grandchildren grow into today's world can't help drawing comparisons to their own childhoods. It's a different world today. Or at least we see it differently. In the 1950s, America seemed safe. World War II had ended with a decisive victory for the good guys.

Americans of both parties liked Dwight D. Eisenhower. Home ownership and education were attainable for many under the GI Bill, Retooling wartime industry meant good jobs rebuilding America. Our neighborhoods were full of kids and were safe places for play. We looked up to leaders and people in positions of authority.

After supper, we simply announced we were going out. That was sufficient. Today, play has lost its spontaneity. We arrange play dates. We want to know not only what kids will be doing, but who they are doing it with, and perhaps most importantly, under whose supervision. While we are loathe to admit it, we harbor subconscious suspicions of other kids, and outright suspicions of adults. Who do we trust these days? To whom do we give our unbridled respect?

We've simply learned to be cautious. Our church recently heard a powerful message on how people of faith need to come face to face with the reality of child abuse in our society. We learned abuse most often comes from relatives, friends and those we trust. Not strangers. We were reminded of our own stringent child safety and protection policy, and annual training for all who interact with youth in the service of the church. No one-on-one relationships, apart from a group context. Glass doors on classrooms and offices. No single adult ever alone with a single child. Ever.

This seems like the very antithesis of a faith that calls us to welcome the little children. But I recall a colleague many years ago who faithfully attended Promise Keepers, and sang hymns on his way from the parking lot into work. When he was convicted of child molestation, it was his work as a youth volunteer at church that he used to cultivate his victims. We remember also that Saugatuck's Camp Greenwood, owned for decades by the Presbytery of Chicago, was sold off by that denomination a few years back to settle a multimillion dollar child abuse judgment against one of its own clergy. The Catholic Church has reaped worldwide attention for some deep-seeded and longstanding child abuse issues, but it certainly has no monopoly on the problem.

Schools are another place we can no longer assume to be safe havens for youth. Abuse comes from other youth, but more insidious is the abuse at the hands of teachers, administrators or coaches. A former speaker of the house, who served four years a mere two heartbeats from the presidency, is sitting in prison today for illegal hush money paid for molesting boys he coached in wrestling decades ago. Rare are the times when there isn't an ongoing story of indictment, trial or conviction of an educator guilty of sexual abuse.

I suspect the greatest wall of silence regarding sexual abuse is within families. It isn't a subject we like talking about. So we don't. Ottawa County's Children's Advocacy Center website, though, is loaded with some grim and sobering statistics. One in four girls and one in six boys sexually abused by the age of 18. One in five children sexually solicited on the internet and 39 million survivors of sexual abuse trying to heal the scars inflicted on them.

Who do we trust? When a politician promises to make America great again, my first reaction looking back is that it might not have been quite as great as we imagined. My second reaction looking forward is that we need more courageous leadership than merely legislating who can use which public restroom. Our kids are facing some serious challenges, and we are too often meeting them with silence.

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20160510/NEWS/160519902

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Illinois

Illinois lawmaker pushes for changes to child sexual assault law

by Reuben Jones

ROCKFORD (WREX) -- Every year hundreds of people come through the doors of Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling.

Around 50 of them are adults and they say were sexually abused as a child.

"We see a lot of adult survivors and it comes up often," said Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling Executive Director Maureen Mostacci.

The problem for these adults is they have no legal right to file criminal charges against their alleged abuser.

Illinois law says if the victim is over the age of 38 when they file charges he or she must have corroborating evidence, like another witness, to prove the abuse occurred.

If they don't then the person can't file criminal charges.

"That's not that long of time," Mostacci said. "For many people it takes years and years in order to make that first disclosure...there's a lot of fear, there's fear of either retribution, physical or emotional."

Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato said it's why the state recently expanded the statute of limitations.

But an Illinois lawmaker wants to expand them even more.

Democratic State Sen. Scott Bennett from Champagne wants to allow anyone, even if they don't have corroborating evidence, the right to file criminal charges against their alleged abuser.

But Bruscato has a concern.

"We want to make sure that it's providing relief and justice for victims, not just false hope of a prosecution that will never occur," Bruscato said.

Mostacci said the hope is even if a person is not prosecuted just talking about it will help bring healing to survivors.

http://www.wrex.com/story/31941251/2016/05/10/illinois-lawmaker-pushes-for-changes-to-child-sexual-assault-law

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California

Child abuse tackled at forum for LA County Supervisor candidates in Pasadena

by Brenda Gazzar

PASADENA -- Child abuse prevention and foster care took center stage Tuesday at a forum for candidates vying for outgoing Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich's seat ahead of the June 7 presidential primary election.

Five of eight candidates running for the seat were asked a series of questions about improving the lives of children across the county, home to the largest child welfare and juvenile justice system in the nation. Fostering Media Connections, the publisher of The Chronicle of Social Change, hosted the wide-ranging forum at Pasadena City College.

Kathryn Barger, chief of staff to Antonovich, said she has seen first hand the importance of public-private partnerships in preventing maltreatment of children.

Her brother and his wife recently took in a foster child who came to them through a children's services agency rather than through the county, she said. The mother told the agency that she was homeless, in an abusive relationship and could no longer take care of her children.

“That is what we should be doing,” Barger said. “That is private sector. That is working through faith-based organizations. The county cannot — and quite frankly I don't think they should — do this alone.”

The child is able to see his siblings, is not afraid that the courts will not allow him to go home and is thriving at school, she said.

Elan Carr, a criminal gang prosecutor, stressed the importance of education to prevent child abuse. Parents, especially young ones, need to be educated on raising children and dealing with normal stresses, such as anger management. Carr said he has forced defendants to undergo anger management counseling under penalty of jail.

“We've got to start really getting serious with education,” Carr said. “The only way really to fight crime and abusive homes is to provide nurturing education for all parties involved.”

Children must also be taught that violence is not the answer so that they don't carry the practice into adulthood, he said.

Mitchell Englander, a Los Angeles city councilman, noted the county needs to adopt a public awareness campaign called “See something, say something.” Abuse happens behind closed doors and people should be encouraged to report friends, neighbors and loved ones to stop it, he said.

Englander also noted that he's dedicated his life to public-private partnerships and said parents need to be brought into programs that benefit children and stay engaged.

“Government can't do this alone,” he said. “This is a partnership. It's a collaboration. That's where philanthropic dollars come in but we've got to be accountable as well and work together.”

State Sen. Bob Huff talked about the importance of lowering social worker case loads in the county and preventing employee burnout to better protect vulnerable children. Social workers are dealing with clientele with very high needs and there should be better education, continuing education as well as evaluation and incorporation of best practices, he said.

But burnout can happen with even one child and “someone has to be monitoring and making sure they are doing their job,” Huff added. “It's not just about reducing case loads or how we go about doing this. Are we getting the results we need? If not, we need to change the formula a little bit.”

Entrepreneur Darrell Park, the only Democrat on stage, talked about the need to make county case workers more effective. He suggested that they could be shuttled around by sheriff's department patrol cars with sirens blaring at 85 miles an hour in order to make more appointments in a day. He also suggested that workers dictate their reports to employees who type “150 words a minute” to get reports done more quickly and accurately.

“That one simple thing didn't cost you a dollar in tax money and probably doubled the effectiveness of the case workers,” he said.

Park noted that the county Board of Supervisors has an overall annual budget of nearly $30 billion, which he said is enough to properly take care of every single child in the county.

A candidate must get a majority of votes to win a seat in June. Otherwise, the two candidates with the most votes will compete in a runoff in the Nov. 8 presidential election

http://www.dailynews.com/government-and-politics/20160511/child-abuse-tackled-at-forum-for-la-county-supervisor-candidates-in-pasadena

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Florida

School district on alert for child abuse allegations

by Marc Valero

SEBRING — When an educator tosses a pen, grabs a child or has any questionable incident with a student, it is being reported to the Department of Children and Families.

The school district is on a higher level of awareness after Hill-Gustat Middle School Teacher Stacy Hooks was arrested in February and charged with having sex with a student.

Two administrators, Deputy Superintendent Rodney Hollinger and Hill-Gustat Middle School Principal Ruth Heckman, remain on administrative leave with pay pending the results of a DCF investigation on whether they properly notified authorities of suspected child abuse.

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office investigation showed no wrongdoing on the part of Hollinger and Heckman.

School District Human Resources and Staff Development Director Vivianne Waldron said the district is making every effort to be aware of all situations where the law requires the reporting of suspected child abuse.

This requires training for all involved, and a protocol has been developed to provide the necessary training for all employees, she said. Some training has already taken place.

Both school and district administrators, under the direction of the superintendent, are also reporting incidents to DCF to determine if further investigation should be pursued by their investigators, Waldron said.

There have been a couple of reports filed in the past two weeks that were considered unfounded by DCF and they are now both being handled through the district's Progressive Discipline Process, she said.

“We are being very conscientious and cautious about these issues even if the reporting doesn't result in substantiated findings,” she said.

The two teachers who are facing discipline from the district but no action from DCF are Fred Wild Elementary first-grade teacher Donna Reed and Sebring High ESE teacher Tia Sorensen.

Reed had grabbed a student by the upper shoulder or lower neck, Waldron said.

Fred Wild Principal Page Green sent a May 9 letter of reprimand to Reed recommending that she attend a May 20 training day on classroom discipline as planned and complete an online module on “Child Abuse: Mandatory Reporting.”

Reed also would need to complete any “ethics in education” requirements from the human resources office, Green noted.

Reed has been on administrative leave with pay since April 14 and it is noted on her reprimand letter that if she completes her assignments by May 20 she could return to work on May 23.

Waldron said Sorensen threw a pen across a room after a student asked for a pencil.

The pen didn't hit or hurt anybody, but it involved a student and it could comprise the safety of a student so the incident it was reported, she said.

In a May 2 letter to Sorensen, Superintendent Wally Cox noted that according to a State Board of Education Rule it is an educator's obligation to make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student's mental and/or physical health and/or safety.

Sorensen has been on administrative leave with pay since April 25.

Cox is recommending that she remain on administrative leave with pay until May 31 and then be placed on a suspension for three days without pay during the last three teacher work days of the 2015-16 school year (June 1-3).

Waldron noted that DCF was also notified recently about a Woodlawn Elementary ESE paraprofessional but the agency found no cause to take action.

http://www.highlandstoday.com/hi/local-news/school-district-on-alert-for-child-abuse-allegations-20160511/

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North Carolina

Sunset Avenue student fights child abuse

by Kristy D. Carter

As the pinwheels that were placed in downtown Clinton circled in the wind, Zoe Phillips realized just how many children are victims of child abuse and immediately decided she wanted to do something to help.

Zoe, a fourth-grade student at Sunset Avenue School, is collecting clothes and blankets to be given to children who are in need and have been victimized by any form of child abuse. Donations are being accepted at the school through the end of the month.

“Each clove on the pinwheel represents a child who was saved from abuse,” Zoe said. “I wanted to do something to help the many children that have been abused in some way.”

Zoe said she visited the display of pinwheels in the downtown Clinton area with her family. Once she realized just how many children have been a victim of abuse, the fourth-grader said she started thinking and planning and writing down ideas about the ways she could help.

In many cases, when children are abused and removed from their home, they are forced to leave with nothing.

“A child who is getting abused needs clothes because they don't have anything,” Zoe said.

Many fourth-grade students are unaware that child abuse is taking place in their school, but Zoe said she is fully aware that it happens everyday. Describing abuse as someone getting hurt for no reason, Zoe said there are different types of abuse.

“It can be bruises from being beaten or it can be hurt feelings from mean things being said,” Zoe shared.

Zoe's mother works for the Department of Social Services, so Zoe is well aware of the many cases of child abuse across the nation. In addition to collecting items at her school, she has been walking her neighborhood passing out flyers and asking her mom's coworkers to help.

“Students can make a difference,” Zoe said. “Some people will go through this their whole life or someone may be going through this and we don't know. That's why it's important for us to help.”

New and gently used items are being accepted. All sizes are being accepted, as well. For anyone who would like to donate, there is a box at Sunset Avenue in the guidance office or clothes can be dropped off at the front office with school personnel.

“This problem is serious,” Zoe said. “It isn't something we can ignore.”

http://clintonnc.com/news/9382/sunset-avenue-student-fights-child-abuse

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New York

Cuomo, Heastie and Flanagan's calls of duty: Time to declare where they stand on child sexual abuse

by The New York Daily News

Time for truth-telling. The Daily News Editorial Board on Wednesday will call New York's infamous Three Men in a Room to account about justice.

Gov. Cuomo, Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Republican Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan stand notified to expect a request for a telephone interview at the heart of which will be the question:

Do you support denying childhood victims of life-scarring sex crimes their day in court against their abusers?

Cuomo, Heastie and Flanagan have gone behind closed doors to negotiate legislative matters, including, for instance, extension of mayoral control of the schools.

None expected the end-of-session agenda to include extending or eliminating statutes of limitations that bar prosecutors from charging many offenders and prohibit many victims from filing civil suits.

But then the revelation that New York's overly tight statutes had prevented full prosecution of an alleged serial abuser prompted The News to ask: What the hell?

While a crime like rape can be prosecuted forever, prosecutors have slim time to bring charges against a coach, teacher or priest who fondles children.

And the victims have until the age of 23 to file civil suits. Worse, if the pervert happens to work for a government agency, a 90-day notice of claim regulation may apply.

Since many victims take years into adulthood to come to terms with their young victimization, the 90-day regulation must go and the statute of limitations must be expanded or eliminated.

Bills have been filed in the Assembly and Senate to accomplish both, but they have differing terms. They are also complicated by a provision that would give past victims one year to bring previously barred actions — a measure that is opposed by, among others, the Catholic Church.

Last week, abuse victims got the got the brush-off in the Legislature, including a spurning by the Senate's second in command, John DeFrancisco, in favor of a pizza party for the Syracuse women's basketball team.

So, this board invites Cuomo, Heastie and Flanagan to answer identical questions about where they stand on the particulars of the statutes of limitation, as well as why they believe their positions are correct.

Perhaps we'll find common ground. At least, we'll fully report their responses — that is, if Cuomo, Heastie and Flanagan accept their obligation to inform the public about the public's business.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/cuomo-heastie-flanagan-calls-duty-child-sexual-abuse-article-1.2632253

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New York

Albany must act now to help child sex abuse victims seek justice

by ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS, BRAD HOYLMAN

Dozens of child sexual abuse survivors from across the state descended upon the state capital last week to share with lawmakers their personal stories and the dire need to reform New York's outdated statute of limitations for the crimes committed against them.

Unfortunately, their bravery seemed unappreciated by some who unceremoniously turned them away.

It wasn't the first time that these survivors were ignored by the powerful. Hopefully, it will be one of the last.

With a little over a month left in this year's legislative session, we have an opportunity to finally give these survivors their day in court and to ensure that future child victims of sexual predators aren't denied theirs.

The state Senate must seize this opportunity to pass an omnibus Child Victims Act that eliminates the criminal and civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse crimes, allowing future victims to seek recourse against any individual who harms them and any public or private institution that covers up or enables the abuser.

Just as important, any bill we pass must create a one-year look-back period allowing survivors for whom the statute of limitations has expired the chance to file claims against their abusers. This is crucial for public safety because it will help identify predators who may still have contact with kids, as well as provide survivors a long-overdue opportunity for justice. We cannot and will not accept half measures. We need legislation that will protect our children and not simply give political cover to politicians.

Seven other states have given child sexual abuse survivors a similar opportunity to revive old cases. To date, more than 3,000 survivors across the country have filed claims against family members, schools, religious institutions and other organizations, uncovering hundreds of serial predators in the process.

Opponents of our legislation have raised the specter of a barrage of bogus lawsuits.

But according to legal experts, this argument is baseless. In fact, not a single false claim for child sexual abuse has been reported as a result of these laws in other states.

Albany can't keep looking the other way on child sexual abuse crimes. The time to fix the statute of limitations is now. Justice and public safety demand it.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/albany-act-child-sex-abuse-victims-seek-justice-article-1.2632356

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New York

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan doesn't give his stance on N.Y. kid-rape law, but says different proposals being reviewed

by GLENN BLAIN, STEPHEN REX BROWN

One of Albany's most powerful lawmakers has broken his silence on the effort to reform New York's statute of limitations on child sex abuse — by saying next to nothing.

State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan wouldn't provide a clear answer as to where he stands on the issue — or say whether there would be action on the related bills before the legislative session expires next month.

In the do-nothing state capital, that counts as progress.

Pressed by the Daily News on Tuesday, Flanagan suggested different proposals were under consideration.

“There's already been movement because there's plenty of discussion on the issue,” Flanagan said.

The Long Island Republican indicated he was examining several bills, including one proposed by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Queens). “There is more than just the Markey bill. There are other bills out there. They are all going to be subject to discussion. There is no resolution, plain and simple,” Flanagan told The News.

Markey's bill would end the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving cases of child sexual abuse and allow a one-year window for victims whose cases are currently time-barred to sue. Another bill would extend the time in which victims can sue until they turn 28. A third would eliminate both the civil and criminal statute of limitations.

Under current state law, victims of child sex abuse cannot pursue civil or criminal charges beyond their 23rd birthday. There is no statute of limitations for first-degree rape.

In the midst of a lobbying effort in Albany last week, three sex abuse survivors came to Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco's office to talk with him about the issue. He refused to meet with them because they didn't have an appointment. Instead, he walked into a nearby conference room for a pizza party with members of the Syracuse University women's basketball team.

DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) has said he outright opposes reforming the statute.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, meanwhile, said Tuesday he was hopeful that the statute of limitations reform will get accomplished before the legislative session ends June 16.

“There seems to be a lot more momentum for it than there was when I sought to move the bill out of the Codes Committee my last term in the state Senate,” said Schneiderman, who left the Senate in 2010. “It seems as though there's a lot more support for it now. So I am optimistic that something can be worked out.”

The heartening news for advocates came the same day The News' published on its front page the office numbers of Gov. Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) and Flanagan, urging New Yorkers to demand reform on the statute of limitations.

Cuomo couldn't be reached on Tuesday, but his office referred The News to previous statements he made. He has said those who are guilty of sex abuse should be held accountable. He has not said whether he would sign any of the reform bills. A Cuomo rep said his office received more than 140 calls Tuesday about the issue.

A spokesman for Heastie, who has been noncommittal regarding whether he'll allow a vote in his chamber, minimized the number of calls his office received.

“Lobbyists and others often encourage constituents to call on their issue, so the volume of calls isn't appreciably different. As we have said, we will discuss the issue with our members,” Heastie spokesman Michael Whyland said.

Flanagan spokesman Scott Reif said his office received at least 200 calls.

The News has covered efforts to reform the statute of limitations since March, when Long Island foster father Cesar Gonzales-Mugaburu was charged with abusing seven boys under his care. Authorities said they would have brought charges related to additional victims were it not for the statute of limitations.

Advocates said they were planning new efforts to keep their campaign at the forefront of legislators' minds. “Tell Albany that perpetrators need to be exposed to protect children, and older victims of childhood sexual abuse deserve justice,” Markey wrote to supporters.

Australia

Brave author Naomi Hunter bravely shares A Secret Safe To Tell

by GREG ELLIS

The author of a picture storybook initiating body safety discussions for children and their caregivers left everyone at a Cristina's House of Hope fundraiser feeling empowered to stand up against child sex abuse on the weekend.

Naomi Hunter bravely revealed how her book A Secret Safe To Tell resulted from her own personal journey. She doesn't want anyone to have to experience what she did. Now her story is impacting the lives of young people around the globe and providing a safe platform for adult survivors of sexual abuse to openly resonate with their own difficult journey. She recalled how from a very early age all she knew was sexual abuse.

“What I didn't know for many years, however, was that it was not normal. When I ponder my childhood memories, I am overcome with crippling flashbacks that for so many years had left me feeling worthless, afraid, distant from myself, filled with self hatred and discontented confusion about why I was even born. Alone I discovered that compliance was the easiest form of survival. Alone I witnessed my innocence being repeatedly extracted from my soul. Alone I cried bleeding tears for someone to help, for someone to see, for someone to make it stop, for someone to save me. Alone I considered why…why me? Alone I felt the pain, the depth of darkness traveling inside of me. Alone I crumpled into tiny pieces, trying to be less-and-less until I understood that no matter how small I wished to become, his hands and his breath would always find my skin. Alone I contemplated my death. And then alone I forced myself to continue. Alone I found my inner strength. Alone I decided to fight for myself. Alone I sung my song to keep my spirit from breaking…Alone I watched on as my body took the hit while my mind cautiously protected itself. And alone I survived until I strived to be the best version of myself I could be, despite the evil that surrounded me.”

Mrs Hunter said the birth of her daughter seven years ago prompted her to write a book to help children. And she encouraged those present to imagine being a five year old living a secret life that they were told no one else could know about.

Alone I cried bleeding tears for someone to help, for someone to see, for someone to make it stop, for someone to save me.

- Naomi Hunter

“I locked that secret away so deep and so tightly into the depths of my soul, untouchable, unmistakably there and so undeniably shameful. It wasn't until the birth of my own beautiful baby girl..15 years later that the tsunami of childhood trauma would revisit me and I would be forced to unlock the pain, the unforgiving memories and the crippling fear that strangled my identity.”

Mrs Hunter said she had no choice but to come face-to-face with the horrifically disturbing flashbacks that left her indescribably alienated from society.

“Wave-after-wave hit, and, as I almost drowned in the suffocation of it all, there bravely stood my husband - my best friend, holding me, breathing life into me when I could not take another shameful blow,” she said.

“It was in these moments that I became acutely aware of this little girl inside of me that was screaming out for help. So, I did what I always did in those soul-destroying moments..I sung to her.”

Over time and with professional support Mrs Hunter learned that what had happened to her was childhood sexual abuse.

“And for the first time in my life, I let myself acknowledge that it actually had happened,” she said.

“I discovered too, that by finally accepting the actuality of my childhood, I was able to slowly begin to heal from it.”

As part of her healing journey Mrs Hunter decided to write a children's picture storybook that could represent her story, and that of so many others affected in a similar way from such a tabooed, shameful and hushed reality that they struggle with in isolation, often for decades.

“I dreamed that if I could help just one child from feeling the sting of seclusion that sexual abuse survivors' experience, then my own childhood would not be lost in vain, rather, it would triumph and thrive in the lives that it helped,” she said.

“It turns out that not only has my story helped one child, it has made an incredible impact on many thousands of people, spanning the age groups, bringing nurturing support to both boys and girls, men and woman, in all sectors of our community and sailing the seas to international waters. Not only is my story resonating with thousands of other adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, it is providing a platform of dialogue for children currently experiencing this horror to more easily disclose and seek the vital validation needed to transform their childhood into one without sexual violation and harmful self destruction.”

Mrs Hunter said she knew of seven young children who had disclosed their current sexual abusive situations after reading here story.

And she hopes that is just the beginning.

“Many parents have messaged me to express their heartfelt gratitude for this resource that is opening up the lines of communication on body safety, praising the delicate way the story portrays this issue,” she said.

“I could not be more humbled than when I hear from someone to say how thankful they are that I spoke out, to be bold enough and courageous enough to stand up against this issue. It's in these moments that I am able to shatter another portion of shame, I can peel another layer of darkness away from the little girl that spent so many years hiding and I can look at myself in the mirror without being faced with disgust… I breathe and take a closer look and I can truly say..you are doing it..you have got this… it really is okay….you are not alone in this...your story is the reality of so many. So, for all those with memories like mine, may you find peace.”

Mrs Hunter shared many personal thoughts and experiences she had during that time and explained how she coped. Then ended by saying this was just one persons' story. Devastatingly one in three girls and one in six boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before they reach their 18th birthday.

“This is just not acceptable,” she said.

“I am just one person and I am overwhelmingly amazed at how many lives I have already impacted because of my vision to help just one. Imagine a world where, if we all dreamed a similar dream, shared the one passion, what a harmonic discourse we could create, catapulting the safety and innocence of our children at the forefront of society ensuring that they grow up to become confident, happy, vibrant young adults and leaders of our future.”

Mrs Hunter said as a young child she felt alone.

But now as an empowered adult she felt much could be done if we all work together.

“Together we can ensure that no more kids have to feel compliant to abusive adults,” she said.

“Together we can ensure that our kids keep their innocence and feel empowered. Together we can ensure that no child has to suffer in isolation, cry silent and fearful tears on their own because, together, we will save them. Together we can provide empowering education to halt the self-destroying questions of “why me?” Together we can stop the pain, that depth of darkness from traveling into their lives. Together we can build our children up to become more and more than they ever imagined to become, instilling possibility and hope into their futures and embracing their own skin with liberation and comfort. Together we can inject an abundance of life into their worlds. Together we can project strength to release the taboo of sexual abuse. Together we can fight this evil until we ensure it dissolves into a non-existence. Together we can sing our song of uplifted and unified harmony to protect our children from any further suffering. Together we can soar and watch from above as our freeing impact changes lives for the future generations. Together we can stand as a formidable force - blocking, shielding and protecting our children. Together we can strive to ensure our children thrive throughout their childhoods. And together we can allow them to reach to their absolute fullest potential.”

Mrs Hunter said she longed for someone to intervene, to grab her hand and pull her out of the grips of her perpetrator. Someone to reassure her that it wasn't her fault and to hold her and help her with her pain.

“Now we all have the opportunity to support Cristina in her vision of building such a safe haven for children and adults who feel exactly the same way,” she said.

“Together we can change their futures.”

Mrs Hunter thanked her husband Jeremy for his unwavering strength, love and passion to help carry her through so she can now share her story in order to help others.

“Together we must be determined,” she said.

“We must be strong. We must be courageous enough to have meaningful conversations with our kids. All children in the world have the right to feel nurtured, have the right to be educated and all kids have the right to be empowered in knowing that no one, no adult, no sibling, no friend, no teacher, no coach, no family member is able to touch them inappropriately, make them feel uncomfortable, make them feel unsafe and to make them feel as I did, so many years ago.”

She said no one should have to feel “powerless”.

In an interview with the Illawarra Mercury on Saturday night Mrs Hunter said it was important for people like her to be willing to speak about what had happened to them and how isolating it was.

She said awareness about what was happening to so many young children was the best way to try and stop it.

“There is so much that needs to be done,'” she said.

“I'm here to bring a message of hope. My book is helping spread the word and breaking the taboo and silence. It is having the dialogue and having the education..to know how to speak up.”

Mrs Hunter said it society does not talk about the problem people would continue to live with it for many years.

She said it was also important for victims to know and understand it is not their fault in any way. So there is nothing for them to feel guilty about.

Mrs Hunters said A Secret Safe to Tell was her first book on the subject.

She wrote it after the birth of her daughter because she wanted to help others.

“I thought if I could help one child not suffer in isolation..then my own childhood would not be lost in vein,” she said.

“It is a children's picture story book. It has turned out to help not just seven children disclose their current sexual abuse. It has actually helped lots of parents open up the dialogue around body safety. It just takes the reader on the journey of abuse itself. Parents can delve into as much as they want to talk about..until a child is ready.”

Mrs Hunter said it was hard to get up and talk about what happened to her as a child but she will keep doing it because something needs to happen.

“We have got to be brave and have courageous conversations,” she said.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3898133/how-a-brave-author-fights-child-sex-abuse/

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Missouri

Missouri Still a Hotspot For Human Trafficking

by CBS

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The descent into slavery began with a friendship.

Jessica Luebbert, a Jefferson City native, worked as a bartender and dancer in Columbia. Sean, a regular customer at the bar where Luebbert worked, would tell her he simply wanted to talk with her, she said. That's something not many customers desired.

“Sean paid me about $100 an hour just to sit and talk with him,” said Luebbert. “It was regular conversation. Nothing perverted. He was a friend.”

The Columbia Missourian reports, he eventually lured Luebbert into sex slavery under false pretenses of a modeling career by building up a friendship over time. She was drugged, raped and beaten in a villa for three days in Maui, Hawaii, she said.

Luebbert's story is one of many trafficking situations in Missouri. The state is tied with Washington, D.C. for No. 20 in most reported human trafficking cases in the U.S. last year, according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center defines human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against their will.

Since 2007, more than 1,500 calls have been made from Missouri to the National Human Trafficking hotline, the same site reported.

St. Louis and Kansas City are hotspots for human trafficking. Missouri is responding through legislation, law enforcement and grassroots organizations that work to combat and raise awareness about trafficking.

“The FBI has stated that St. Louis is one of the top 20 trafficking destinations in the country. Because of our highway system, highway 70 and 44, we have a lot of possibilities for that. So we do know it's a problem,” said Republican Rep. Elijah Haahr, chair of the Human Trafficking Task Force. “People attribute it to being an East Coast, West Coast problem. It's a Midwestern problem, both sex trafficking and labor trafficking.”

As the friendship progressed and trust grew, Sean opened up to Luebbert about his career as a modeling agent, and he said she had what it took for the industry. He offered her an all-inclusive trip to Maui, Hawaii, for a photo shoot.

“You're the girl,” Sean told her.

“I was floored and stoked,” Luebbert said. “It was an `I won the lottery' sort of feeling.”

After signing a contract, Luebbert was on her way to a modeling career, or so she thought. She only read the first couple pages of the lengthy contract and later realized within those lines must have been an agreement to “sign her life away.” Luebbert said there were no red flags at this time.

The coercion continued as Luebbert was scammed into an industry that generates approximately $150 billion globally, according to the International Labor Organization.

There are approximately 21 million slaves in the world today, which the International Labor Organization says is a modest estimate.

Although modern slavery is pervasive internationally, it hits closer to home than many might realize.

As Sean drove Luebbert to the airport, red flags began emerging as their plans switched unexpectedly. Their planes were somehow changed and postponed. They missed their flight. When they finally boarded the plane, Sean disappeared. On the second flight, the airline switched. They suddenly needed to fly to Los Angeles. Then they missed their flight again.

“In reality, he was probably getting things rigged up with the other people in on the gig,” Luebbert said.

Finally, the two boarded a plane for Hawaii. After the flight, Luebbert never saw Sean again.

A sleek, black car immediately met Luebbert at the airport, and she was told that Sean was already at the resort. As she leaned forward in the car, Luebbert noticed five or six pictures of girls. She said she thought they were models.

The car stopped outside a villa where Luebbert was left without any of her belongings. The black car was gone, and Luebbert opened the villa door to find three older men, about 65 years old. She was immediately injected in the arm and hip and suddenly felt heavy, almost as if she was under an anesthetic.

At this villa, Luebbert said she was drugged, raped and beaten for three days by these men who said they bought her from Sean. Luebbert said it was a vicious cycle: shots of medicine, rape, the medicine would wear off, she would fight back and be beaten.

“I had no idea what that meant, that they bought me,” Luebbert said. “I had no idea what they were talking about.”

Over time, Luebbert said she noticed a trash man outside that would come every now and then. On the third day, she knew this man was her only hope for freedom. Luebbert busted through the villa door to the trash man.

“I literally attached my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck,” said Luebbert. “I repeatedly yelled to call 911.”

Law enforcement arrived quickly and took her from the villa. But instead of relief, Luebbert said she felt shame.

“I felt like I had done something wrong,” she said, “like I had murdered somebody.”

Luebbert was able to fly back to Missouri with the help of a mentor back home. She immediately isolated herself in her apartment for about 13 days.

She was later diagnosed with curable diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia, but some more severe injuries from the abuse still afflict Luebbert. Severe arthritis from fractures in her neck and spine creates problems in her spinal cord and nervous system.

Luebbert said she did not realize she had been trafficked until seven years after the incident when she heard another survivor tell a story about being trafficked.

“I couldn't talk to anyone. I ran out bawling because I realized what had happened to me,” said Luebbert.

She has been sharing her story with people for the past four years.

“Each time I share it, I think I heal a little more,” Luebbert said. “One more person is educated, and they will tell others. That's why I share my story.” Luebbert shared her story on a panel at Stephens College in January for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention month.

Four bills are making their way through the Missouri legislature that would raise awareness for human trafficking and expand the definition of sex trafficking.

House Bill 2561, sponsored by Republican Rep. Cloria Brown, would require various establishments to hang posters with information about human trafficking and the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline. It has been passed by the House as well as the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence.

The establishments that would be required to hang the posters include hotels, motels or other establishments that have been cited as a public nuisance for prostitution, such as airports, train stations, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, women's health centers, massage parlors and more.

The bill covers most avenues for traffickers to ensnare victims, like false pretenses of massage parlors, brothels, escort services, street prostitution and Internet-based prostitution.

“The hotline number can help, not dramatically, but even if it helps one percent, that's one percent,” Luebbert said.

A study conducted by the Urban Institute in March 2014 found almost all types of these commercial sex venues in major cities in the U.S.

The institute studied Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, San Diego and Washington, D.C. It found that as of 2007, the sex economy's net worth was estimated between $39.9 million and $290 million.

Sex trafficking takes place in public and private locations, including strip clubs, according to the Office on Trafficking in Persons. Victims may start off dancing or stripping in clubs and later be coerced into situations of prostitution and pornography.

The other three bills would broaden the definition of human trafficking to include advertisement of a child in a commercial sex act.

House Bill 2332, sponsored by Republican Rep. Kevin Corlew, passed the House, the Senate Judiciary and the Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and has been placed on the Senate calendar. Senate Bill 804, sponsored by Republican Sen. Bob Onder, has been passed by the Senate and referred to the House Select Committee on Judiciary.

House Bill 1562, sponsored by Republican Rep. Elijah Haahr, was passed by the House, Senate and Fiscal Review. This is the second time Haahr has filed the bill.

“Our hope is that the bill will move fairly quickly through the Senate and then on to the governor's mansion,” Haahr said. “Last year, it was on the Senate when the Senate shut down at the end of session. It was probably my biggest disappointment from last session.”

Four bills moving through the legislature would aid police efforts to combat human trafficking.

“(House Bill 2561) would be useful to us for notification purposes to our department if the public is aware of instances of human trafficking,” said Detective Sergeant Jatonya Clayborn-Muldrow, supervisor of human trafficking in the St. Louis Police Department.

The other three bills would also be helpful because they will give the department more opportunities to charge traffickers, she said. But the bills do not solve the problem.

“The issue is not just a sex worker issue, but it is a demographic issue as it relates to income, gender, race,” Clayborn-Muldrow said. “It's just a social economic problem that begins way before human trafficking is involved.”

Last year was the first for Missouri's Human Trafficking Task Force, chaired by Haahr, which aims to identify long- and short-term strategies that can combat trafficking now and in the future, Haahr said. The task force's 22 members range from legislators, law enforcement, public safety officials, organization members and survivors.

“(Human trafficking is) a problem everywhere, particularly anywhere that is on a major highway,” Haahr said. “One of the things about trafficking, one of the things that makes it so attractive to a trafficker is, unlike a good like a drug that you sell and need to replace, you can use a human body as many times as possible, and so it's a reusable item. That's what draws that trafficker to that industry. It's extraordinarily difficult to break that cycle.”

Missouri passed some legislation in 2010 and 2011 to combat human trafficking.

Senate Bills 586 and 617 passed in 2010 to restrict sexually-oriented businesses because they were linked to crimes like prostitution and sexual assault, according to a previous Missourian report.

The law requires adult businesses in Missouri to close from midnight to 6 a.m. Strip clubs are allowed to stay open, but the law bans full nudity at all times and physical contact between semi-nude dancers and patrons. Dancers must have their lower breasts and buttocks covered at all times under the law's definition of semi-nude, according to the Missourian article.

It also restricts new sexually-oriented businesses from setting up shop within 1,000 feet of any school, house of worship, day care, library, public park, residence or another sexually-oriented business.

House Bill 214 was passed in 2011 to authorize the Department of Public Safety to establish procedures for identifying human trafficking victims and to develop training programs. The bill also authorized establishing protocol for appropriate agencies on how to educate employees on identifying and assisting victims.

The Department of Public Safety does not currently fund any anti-human trafficking organizations, but some anti-trafficking organizations may receive grant money from the department.

Despite these advancements, Luebbert said there are more areas that deserve attention, such as education for younger generations and law enforcement.

“I do not feel that we are anywhere close to where we need to be,” Luebbert said. “I do believe we're getting somewhere, I don't think we're getting enough or fast enough, but that's coming from someone who survived this.”

St. Louis police officers are required to attend training biannually, and human trafficking is addressed during one of those sessions. The department also has detectives who specialize in human trafficking and work with local organizations that combat trafficking, Clayborn-Muldrow said.

Clayborn-Muldrow said trafficking is increasingly difficult to recognize.

“Human trafficking can be very difficult to identify,” Clayborn-Muldrow said. “Most communications and arrangements for contact are done via social media and over the Internet.”

Backpage and Craigslist are popular sites used by traffickers.

The department offers training for businesses, organizations, schools and other groups interested in learning about human trafficking. The class covers the definition of human trafficking, how to identify it and who to contact if they believe human trafficking is taking place. Clayborn-Muldrow said the training is more popular now that human trafficking receives more media attention.

Most identified victims of trafficking in St. Louis are black juvenile females.

“Everything,” Clayborn-Muldrow answered when asked what more needs to be done. “There is no one way to tackle the issue.”

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri launched the Human Trafficking Rescue Project in 2006 to combat trafficking. The project was created to help identify victims, provide them with immediate protection and support and work with survivors to further investigate and prosecute traffickers.

The operation has successfully investigated and convicted large human trafficking scandals since 2009.

The Columbia Police Department offered a three-day training session on how to identify human trafficking crimes in 2013, according to a previous Missourian report. The training was hosted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri.

Officers learned about the history of human trafficking, how to recognize trafficking and how the community can help police identify trafficking situations.

But there has still been no institutionalized training for all levels of law enforcement in Missouri.

“I think it's safe to say everyone would say we can't be confident that there's a high level of awareness among our law enforcement simply because as a state we've not been able to offer training across the board to all those levels of state law enforcement,” said Nanette Ward, co-founder of the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition.

There are more than 15 organizations throughout Missouri that help raise awareness about human trafficking and rehabilitate survivors.

The Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition has aided trafficking survivors since April 2008. Nanette Ward, one of the coalition's founding members, has served survivors ever since. The coalition works to abolish trafficking in central Missouri through education, community outreach and supporting survivors.

The coalition has worked alongside legislators since 2011 by giving survivor testimonies at public hearings and allocating funds for law enforcement training to the Department of Public Safety. Members of the coalition have been a part of the Human Trafficking Task Force and worked with Haahr on bills to include advertisement in the definition of sex trafficking.

Ward said the current legislative measures are necessary pieces to trafficking prevention.

“That toll-free hotline has been shown to be a very effective tool, texting and calling. Texting was put in place after the toll-free number, and that was a huge deal, specifically in keeping the victims in mind who would not be able to just make a phone call but could rather text more discreetly and safely,” Ward said.

Most importantly, the posters that would be mandated through House Bill 2561 omit a zero-tolerance policy for traffickers in Missouri, she said.

“Those posters to me are a symbol of saying, `We do not tolerate this' to the traffickers,” Ward said. “Of course we're wanting to make the community aware so they can call in tips, and of course, number one, the victims who can reach out for help … but also a message to traffickers that this is not okay. … I think that's a strong message for us to have.”

But the battle to end trafficking is far from over.

“We just have to keep at it,” she said. “There's the funding issue, there's training issue, there's protecting children who are trafficked. … There's just a lot. … It's gonna take a long while.”

Some law enforcement agencies have received some training from local organizations that are able to offer it, Ward said. Law enforcement education is part of St. Louis Rescue and Restore's initiative to inform the public about sex trafficking.

“We want to change the perception of law enforcement so they don't automatically look at people engaged in commercial sex as criminals,” said Amanda Mohl, organizer for St. Louis Rescue and Restore. “Victims may not be doing this on their own free will.”

St. Louis Rescue and Restore trains law enforcement to ask more questions, build rapport and take a victim-centered approach, Mohl said.

Mohl and Ward both agree that the key to identifying and preventing instances of sex trafficking is education.

“We are hoping that by teaching people what this is, what it looks like and who to talk to, we can increase the amount of tips we receive. This will ultimately increase prosecutions and bring large amounts of people out of this situation,” Mohl said.

One of the biggest obstacles to engaging people in education about trafficking is their disbelief in its relevance to their lives, Ward said.

“When you are able to … give examples, the broad spectrum of very real examples within Missouri, then again things begin to shift in people's minds, and then it does become relevant for them,” Ward said. “Once you have that opportunity to educate, it's really not that hard for folks to realize that, yes, indeed it's a very relevant issue for them.”

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2016/05/10/missouri-still-a-hotspot-for-human-trafficking/

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Australia

A look inside the room where former detectives spend their days tracking child abusers

by Rohan Smith

BEHIND frosted glass in a locked room on the fifth floor of a nondescript Sydney tower, former police detectives carry out conflicting tasks.

In one corner, a man looks through pictures and videos of some of the worst child abuse material on the internet, tracking the content to its source and pulling it down.

In the middle of the room, a woman shreds on Guitar Hero — a flawless rendition of Bloodlines by death metal band Dethklok.

“Not a single error,” her colleague remarks, also a pro on the plastic guitar. “That's the calibre of our people, right there.”

Both tasks are important. They all acknowledge you can't do the former without the latter.

When I'm led through the doors a staff member announces, obviously for my benefit, “Content down”. The screens switch off and employees emerge from behind their desks with warm smiles.

Welcome to one of the most bizarre office environments in Australia, the office occupied by a crack team assembled to protect our most vulnerable from predators lurking in parts of the internet most Australians wouldn't even know how to access.

‘THE WORST CONTENT I'VE SEEN'

“I didn't think it was possible for me to imagine before I started this role just how bad the material was,” Senior Investigator Toby Dagg says.

“I remember the first time I encountered the worst material I've seen. Still to this day it's the material that affects me more than any other. It was really tough at the computer that day. I won't go into the details but it is literally worse than anything I could've possibly imagined.”

The content, he explains, includes “adults not only raping children but torturing them”.

“The material that we see is at the upper end. There is a community which wants more, fresher, worse material and there are individuals who are willing to satisfy that demand.”

But as more and more material goes up, the Sydney-based team — part of the office of the Children's eSafety Commissioner — pulls more and more of it down. They're able to do so thanks in part to powers above and beyond those wielded by police.

Between 2014 and 2015, the team and its international partners removed more than 4000 URLs containing child abuse material. Behind each page was a victim whose images would otherwise still be circulating within the most unsavoury circles on the dark web.

A normal day at the office starts with emails. In them are complaints and requests for help from people who've seen something terrible — an image or a video either filmed, stolen or appropriated for the sick pleasure of the perverted community that gathers and shares abuse material online.

The content is categorised and prioritised so the most urgent matters — they call those “criticals” — can be attended to first. Mr Dagg and his team then go searching. They enter pages on the internet that users think afford them anonymity. They can't be found via search engines including Google but they can be found.

Recently, Mr Dagg explains, the team was alerted to a forum being used by paedophiles that included the image of a young girl alleged to be 14 years old. A team member analysed the image and was able to find information that pinpointed its creation to a specific co-ordinate in Britain.

“We passed that information on to UK law enforcement and we got feedback within a week that (they'd) safeguarded that child,” Mr Dagg said. “It's not all that common that we see the full circle but when we do it's obviously very satisfying.”

PUZZLES, CRAFTS, VIDEO GAMES

Coping with what they see is the tricky part. That's where the games come in. When a staff member reaches their self-imposed “threshold”, when they can't view another image, they walk away from their screens and take time out.

In the office there are half-completed puzzles littering an empty desk and a craft section that features adult colouring-in books. One female staff member has a particular talent for bringing black and white pages to life.

“We've got a really supportive team environment built on ensuring people have a balance to their day,” Mr Dagg says.

“For me it's being able to communicate with my colleagues.”

He makes it sound simple but it's much more complex than that. The team is also scheduled in for quarterly clinical psychological evaluations and made to adhere to strict staff welfare plans. It's an important part of the job given the lingering spectre of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that their colleagues in the police force know all too well.

Melissa Hickson has been a senior investigator at the office for eight months. She says staff set their own limits and stick to them.

“Basically you set your limit for how much content you can see per day. Everyone has a different threshold so it's about managing that and acting on it.

“If I was to see some really intense content, I'll stop. I like to go for a walk or do online shopping or talk to the guys in the office. You can unload it that way, too.”

‘YOU COULD HEAR THE LITTLE GIRL'S EMOTIONS'

Mrs Hickson says a video she encountered during the first two months in the role left her speechless and with tears rolling down her face.

“With images you can just look at it and you can compartmentalise it,” she says.

“With a video you can develop an emotional attachment. The video I saw was of a child that included sound so you could hear the little girl's emotions. It was really distressing, I was shocked and I had to leave the office for a few hours. I started crying because it was just so horrific.”

She says not every day is like that, in fact most are not like that at all.

“Most days I don't think about it after an investigation.”

Most days there's good news to take her mind off the misery she's exposed to as part of her job. Others in similar roles have not been so fortunate.

Narelle Fraser had to watch 1700 videos of the worst child sex abuse material on the internet over a 48-hour period. She told news.com.au the result was that her “bottle overflowed” and she developed acute PTSD.

She was a senior detective with the Child Abuse Investigation Team in Melbourne at the time and they were trying to prosecute a person to whom the material allegedly belonged.

“A couple of times I was so shocked at what I was seeing,” she says.

“I could never describe it to anybody. I still can't tell anybody what I saw. There was sound with the videos and I was hearing children screaming in pain. I had to turn the sound off. I didn't sleep after. From that day on, I started to unravel.”

She's better these days and she has a new role: helping others deal with similar difficulties.

‘WE PREPARE THEM BEFORE THEY LOOK AT IT'

Dr Jane Richards has published extensive research on the effects of exposure to highly confrontational material. She told news.com.au a single image can be all it takes to do damage.

“What we know about exposure is that it can have a psychological impact,” she said.

“We know exposure can cause trauma with either one exposure or it can have a cumulative effect. Cumulative is often the case with police and emergency services who see difficult things every day.”

Dr Richards, who conducted her research for the University of South Australia, said the best thing police, emergency services or specialist staff like Mr Dagg and his colleagues can do is be prepared.

“We do some preparation for people before they look at this material because they need to be cognitively prepared. In a way it's like preparing yourself to watch a movie. You prepare yourself to watch a comedy, to watch a drama, to watch a horror movie.”

She said distraction techniques are hugely important and known to be effective.

“The things that I would promote would be preparation strategies prior to viewing, collegiate and peer support, distraction techniques and then some frequent contact with professional psychologists.”

As I leave the office, the screens fire back up and the team members resume their day. They'll see things that make their stomachs sick but they say they know they're making a difference.

Mr Dagg finishes our interview with a message for the people he chases every day.

“To the people who are involved in producing and distributing and sharing child abuse material and fuelling the global economy, (they) should really start looking over their shoulder because the people that I know are coming for them.”

Help stop online child abuse — if you see something that's not quite right, report it at esafety.gov.au/reportillegalcontent

If you or somebody you know needs help, phone crisis support service Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au

http://www.news.com.au/national/crime/a-look-inside-the-room-where-former-detectives-spend-their-days-tracking-child-abusers/news-story/bc0c4dd9f77a29a14b94fce5a322daaa

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Texas

Preventing child abuse starts with reporting it, experts say

by Bryan Wendland

SAN ANTONIO -- The kids at the Children's Shelter of San Antonio are like any other.

"They're just regular kids. They have unconditional love," Yvette Sanchez said. She's the chief program officer at the Children's shelter. "They're innocent. They're completely innocent, and what we need to do is restore that innocence."

They come from situations where police or Child Protective Services decided to remove them from their parents. Occasionally, they'll be placed at the shelter voluntarily.

"Most of the time, kids are scared. They've been removed from their home, what they know," Sanchez said.

But what can be done before it gets to this point?

James Keith with the Bexar County Sheriffs' Office said anyone can help by reporting anything they see or suspect as abuse.

"Child abuse is a huge problem in Bexar County," he said. "The problem we have is a lot of the cases go unreported."

One case that did not go unreported came in last week. A neighbor on Chipping Drive called about crying children. Sheriffs deputies found two kids tied up outside and six unattended inside, as KENS 5 reported.

"Had that person not contacted us, we can only imagine where these kids would be right now," Keith said.

The signs of abuse can be more subtle than cries, though. Gladys Ojeda with ChildSafe San Antonio said indicators can be varied.

"[It could be a sign] if a child has a sudden, unexplained fear of a particular adult, if the child is going back to earlier behaviors or if the child has any unexplained injuries," she said.

When it comes down to it, Sanchez, Keith and Ojeda agree, the number one thing you can do to prevent or stop child abuse is report it.

911 is an option, but you can also follow the link on site for other numbers to call.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/preventing-child-abuse-starts-with-reporting-it/184332101

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Texas

Child abuse media reports prompts community to help

CASA reports high interest in volunteering

by Stephanie Serna

SAN ANTONIO - Three recent high-profile child abuse cases in the San Antonio area have left people stunned and in disbelief. But also has prompted the community to help.

Child Advocates of San Antonio officials said they are now working with the biggest group of volunteers they've seen in three decades.

CASA President Rick Cooke said Monday that it's the volunteers who make a difference in the lives of children.

"Our volunteers are the most amazing people you'll ever meet in your life," Cooke said. "They do so much good and they impact all these kids' lives significantly."

It's the job of CASA volunteers not only to be the eyes and ears of the court, but to also make sure the children don't get lost in the Child Protective Services system.

On Monday night, CASA provided training for 60 volunteers, which Cooke said is the biggest group of volunteers in training since 1984.

"Just the publicity of the abuse and neglect that's happening in Bexar County, the level to which it's reached has become epidemic," Cooke said. "And I feel most people think this is a great way to give back to the community."

But with 5,000 kids in the foster care system, CASA needs more volunteers, Cooke said.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can call 210-225-7070 or visit CASA's website.

http://www.ksat.com/news/child-abuse-media-reports-prompts-community-to-help

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Pennsylvania

Blockwatch learns process for reporting child abuse, neglect

by Austin Vaught

A presentation from Allegheny County Children, Youth and Families (CYF) in conjunction with a monthly crime report was the focus of this month's Carrick / Overbrook Crime watch meeting in the Concord K5 auditorium.

Following several reports of unsupervised wandering children in Carrick, Kameca Austin, an investigator for CYF, presented an overview of the process for reporting child abuse and neglect.

According to Ms. Austin, when a child abuse incident is reported, her department has 24 hours to visit the child and assess the environment. If it's decided an investigation should occur, it must be carried out within 60 days.

Ms. Austin said while she doesn't know the specifics of the incidents reported in Carrick with the wandering children, it's important to know the whole story before taking action.

“Whenever you see children wandering, you can't just assume the worst because things do happen,” Ms. Austin said. “You can't just do a knee-jerk reaction.”

Ms. Austin also said about 70 percent of calls they answer are issues that can be resolved with neighbor or community assistance.

“We always ask if you can help people out if they need food or any other type of goods” Ms. Austin said. “We never want anyone to come into CYF because when you come in, it's hard to get out.”

One resident raised a concern about the frequency in which parents drop their kids off at the park and leave them for extended periods of times without supervision.

Ms. Austin asked the resident to document the times in which the children are left unsupervised and report them to CYF so her team can determine if a pattern exists.

“That would fall under supervision and neglect,” Ms. Austin said. “It would have to be repeated for a prolonged period of time.”

According to Ms. Austin, human trafficking is also rampant in Allegheny County, and she instructed residents to be aware and monitor for warning signs that might indicate a minor is in danger.

Ms. Austin said to be alert for couples that look mismatched in regards to age or minors who disappear for a period of time and return with large amounts of money. Child abuse or neglect can be reported to Allegheny County Department of Children, Youth and Families by calling 412-473-2000.

Following Ms. Austin's report, Zone 3 police officer Christine Luffey provided her monthly crime report in which she described six robberies, two assaults, two drug possession charges, one prostitution charge, and one animal cruelty incident all occurring in Carrick and Overbrook between April 4 and April 27.

“The weather is getting nicer and we are busier in the summer months,” Officer Luffey said. “Anything we can do to curb crime and reduce it, I want to do it.”

According to Carrick / Overbrook block watch organizer Carol Anthony, there has also been an increase in crime on Westmont Avenue since the block watch became less active.

“Westmont used to be our largest block watch in our whole zone,” Ms. Anthony said. “We had more people here from that street than anywhere else. When they were a very active block watch, we didn't have any trouble at all on that street.”

Ms. Anthony encouraged residents to be sure phone numbers and contact information are kept up to date with the Carrick / Overbrook Crime Watch as well as with each street's block watch captain.

“It is important to have a block watch on your street,” Ms. Anthony said. “It is important to stay in touch with each other.”

The next Carrick / Overbrook Crime Watch meeting is Monday, June 6 in the Concord K5 gymnasium where a CPR demonstration is scheduled to take place.

http://www.sopghreporter.com/story/2016/05/10/front-page/blockwatch-learns-process-for-reporting-child-abuse-neglect/16671.html

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Maryland

71 Clergymen: Updated list of priests & brothers accused of child sexual assault published

by ZOE ZELLERS

(Complete list of names included on site)

BALTIMORE (WBFF) - In an effort to improve transparency and encourage more victims of childhood sexual abuse by priests and religious brothers to come forward, the Archdiocese of Baltimore has published a list of those who have been accused of abuse in the past. The list, originally published in September 2002, included 57 men. It did not include those accused after their deaths or cases where an investigation "concluded that the facts did not indicate sexual abuse had occurred."

The list below also includes priests and religious brothers who have been accused since 2002 of child sexual abuse after that list was originally published, totaling 71 clergymen. All allegations have been reported to law enforcement and to the Archdiocese's Independent Child Abuse Review Board. If allegations against a person were investigated and not deemed credible, that subject's name was not included in the list.

According to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, "None of the individuals listed here are in ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore; some have died and some have been laicized--all have had their faculties to function as a priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore removed."

Priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore have no parenthetical after their names. Priests and brothers from religious orders or other dioceses have that noted in parentheses after their names. To learn more about the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, click here.

In response, SNAP's outreach director, Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, released the following statement:

"While we're glad Baltimore Catholic officials are again listing predator priests on the archdiocesan website but wish they would do the same on local parish websites. We're sad that this has taken so long to do and believe they can and should do much more to protect kids.

We strongly suspect that this list is incomplete.

"We also suspect Archbishop William Lori will use this list to try and persuade lawmakers that reforming Maryland's archaic, predator-friendly statute of limitations, claiming 'Now, there's no need to let victims expose pedophiles in court because we're listing them ourselves.' If he tries this, he'll of course be dead wrong and dreadfully disingenuous.

"Still, most bishops refuse to take this minimal step to warn parents, police, prosecutors, parishioners and the public about child molesting clerics they've recruited, educated, ordained, trained, shielded and often still protect. So this is progress. We hope DC Archbishop Donald Wuerl - and about another 140 or 150 US bishops - soon do likewise.

"No matter what lawmakers or church officials do or don't do, we urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in Catholic churches or institutions to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling law enforcement, get justice by calling attorneys, and be comforted by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface."

SNAP is the world's oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. Founded in 1988, SNAP has over 20,000 members.

Teacher who allegedly raped student landed job at DOE: probe

by Isabel Vincent and Susan Edelman

A former Queens biology teacher who allegedly forced an underage student to repeatedly have sex and demanded she have two abortions skirted authorities after a prominent Catholic school quietly fired him, allowing him to work for years in city public schools, officials report.

Rodney Alejandro abused the 15-year-old girl at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, and then went on to work for the Department of Education, a 2015 probe by the city's Special Commissioner of Investigation charges.

First a city substitute in 1998-99, he worked from 2004 to 2010 at Robert Wagner Jr. Secondary School for Arts and Technology in Long Island City and was fired after his state license expired, officials said. He then went on to teach at a religious school in Georgia.

His reported victim, now 43 and living in Queens, declined to comment but confirmed to The Post horrendous details she published in a 2014 blog. The Post is withholding her name.

Alejandro, now 52, allegedly began raping the girl in January 1988.

By the summer of 1988, she got pregnant for the first time and she says “Alejandro forced her to have an abortion,” the SCI reports.

When she got pregnant again in January 1989, “Alejandro insisted upon an abortion,” the report says. The student says she became so depressed that she failed the school year.

“At this point, I was suicidal,” she wrote.

St. Francis Prep never disciplined Alejandro. Instead he “resigned and left the school in good standing,” the SCI found.

St. Francis Prep did not return calls for comment.

The school, whose alumni include crusading former cop Frank Serpico and former Yankees manager Joe Torre, had been the target of a $17 million lawsuit charging sexual and physical abuse by teachers at the school in 2013. The federal suit was dismissed in 2014.

In that same year, Alejandro's alleged victim decided to tell her story to SCI investigators and also met with a rep from the Queens District Attorney's Office who told her that the statute of limitations had run out and “a case against Alejandro would not be pursued,” SCI said.

Alejandro went on to teach at Mount Pisgah Christian School in Alpharetta, Ga., in September 2011, but by December 2012 the school asked him to resign because he didn't disclose a prior termination.

Alejandro is ineligible to work in DOE schools again. He could not be reached for comment.

Childhood abuse and neglect take their toll

by Mary Gail Frawley-O'Dea

The past two decades have witnessed an interdisciplinary explosion of new information about the prevalence and aftermath of child abuse and neglect.

From 1995 to 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente conducted a study of more than 17,000 Americans to determine how many had been subjected to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and what symptoms and disorders they suffered that differentiated them from those patients who did not have such histories. At the same time, researchers in clinical, developmental and neuropsychology, along with neurobiologists and trauma specialists, have increased our understanding of the potential impact of early abuse and neglect on virtually every aspect of a victim's life.

So what do we know?

The CDC data indicates that only a little over one-third of subjects had no ACEs; 26 percent had one; 15.9 percent had two; 9.5 percent had three; and 12.5 percent had four or more. The study found that symptoms and disorders in ACE survivors were correlated with the number of ACEs experienced and with the frequency and/or intensity of each particular stressor. Let's make this real.

The U.S. Census Bureau tells us that in 2014, there were about 245.2 million Americans over 18, meaning that more than 156 million adults have histories of ACEs, with more than 30 million having four or more. Over 50 million of us were sexually abused before the age of 18. Over 30 million watched our mothers get hit.

Think about these numbers when we get to the aftermath of adverse childhood experiences. Big numbers, but by now you may be wondering why you are being deluged with all this information. Isn't the issue for Catholics "just" the sexual violations of kids by priests and the sometimes still-ongoing cover-up by bishops and provincial superiors?

I would say no. While clergy sexual abuse is the ACE most haunting the church right now, it is important that Catholics take in and feel that more than every other person in their pew has a history of ACEs and every eighth person has had four or more of these devastating childhood experiences, many of which are not single episodes, but ongoing incidences of abuse, neglect, watching mom get beaten, or coming home to a drunk parent.

If churches are to be field hospitals, as Pope Francis so eloquently suggests, we should all understand who the patients really are and what they suffer, even when they don't look obviously injured. The abused and neglected are not "them"; they are us.

We now know that ACEs can have major effects on every aspect of human functioning. Symptoms and disorders increase commensurately with the more types of ACEs we have been subjected to and the more times those ACEs have occurred. Let's quickly review what happens to ACE victims and survivors.

Physical health: It is now clear that early trauma is correlated with a plethora of symptoms and disorders potentially disrupting virtually every system of the human body. With such conditions as high blood pressure, chronic pain diseases, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, and sleep disorders, ACE survivors have more medical problems, are on more medications, and use the health system more than other Americans do.

Scientists now believe that much of this stems from a surfeit of stress hormones coursing through the bloodstream and compromising the immune system. Stress hormones are great in an emergency, but they are supposed to go back to normal levels when the crisis is over. Kids who are being abused or neglected are in emergency mode so much of the time that their stress hormones are always high, stay high into adulthood, and do physical damage over time.

In addition to medical problems, many survivors are afraid of doctors, dentists and the invasive procedures that may ensue in the course of care and therefore avoid seeking help until they are sicker and conditions are further along.

Cognition: We also now know that ACE survivors often have disrupted cognition. Part of what ACEs overwhelm is the young person's ability cognitively to contain, process and put into words the trauma they are facing.

The survivor often has attention deficits, memory problems and an inability to concentrate consistently. Contradictory thought processes ebb and flow with little predictability. One moment, we are speaking as an intelligent adult, capable of complex, flexible, abstract and self-decentered thinking. Under sufficient internal or external stress, however, or in situations somehow reminiscent of past abuse, our cognitive integrity shatters and becomes locked in rigidly inflexible, self-centered thought patterns, simplistic black-and-white opinions devoid of nuance and an immutable conviction that the future is destined to be both short and unalterably dim.

Today, we can actually view this happening on PET scans that show different brain areas lightening and darkening when a trauma survivor's stress level changes. This happens differently than in people with no adverse childhood experiences, indicating that trauma actually changes the neurobiology of the brain.

Emotions/affect: When a child is overwhelmed by ACEs, especially over time, the autonomic nervous system is overstimulated, creating anxiety and fear and releasing stress hormones. The young person's brain tries to compensate for this hyperarousal by releasing endogenous opioids that calm the system down, often to the point of psychic numbing.

Over time, this results in the person's inability to successfully modulate emotion so she or he may swing from states of intense affect to those marked by numbed passivity. Our ability to judge the true danger of a present-day situation is damaged; we may confuse people around us by overreacting or underreacting to current situations.

Relationships/intimacy: ACE survivors' expectations of others are forged in the fires of trauma. Often needy, but expecting rejection, neglect or worse from others, they may shift rapidly from dependent clinging to rage or cold aloofness.

Often the adult survivor's history is littered with unsuccessful friendships, work relationships, and romances that confuse and hurt both them and those around them.

Especially where the ACEs have included sexual abuse, normal sexual functioning is elusive. Even sex with a beloved other can trigger flashbacks or terrifying emotional states that interrupt sexual encounters or lead us to avoid sex. Sexual abuse survivors may blame their bodies and sexual responses for the abuse and can be too ashamed to be comfortably sexual.

Heterosexual boys abused by men may be tormented with doubts about their sexual orientation. On the other hand, homosexual boys who are sexually abused are robbed of the opportunity to grow gradually into their sexuality; instead, the perpetrator imposes it on them.

Sense of self: ACE survivors often have a fractured sense of self. One part of the traumatized child may be formed as a precocious individual who can learn, make friends, get a job later in life, and obtain an education. This may be the person two spaces away in the pew that seems to be just a regular Joe. Another aspect of the person, however, remains a frightened, grief-stricken child who emerges when conditions are reminiscent of the original trauma.

For victims of priest abuse, for example, a Roman collar, someone clicking rosary beads, or certain hymns can evoke this child. The survivor, no longer firmly rooted in the present, may experience the memories, fears and bodily states he or she felt back then.

Behaviors: Most survivors think that they were somehow responsible for what happened to them or in their families. We impose standards on ourselves that we would never turn on another survivor — we should have stopped it; we could have prevented the domestic violence; if we spent more time with Dad, he would have stopped drinking. Depending on the nature of the adverse childhood experience, survivors feel dirty, ashamed, worthless and self-loathing.

Often they take their guilt, rage and self-hatred out on themselves through self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse (which also deadens psychic pain); promiscuous and unprotected sex; walking alone in dangerous areas at night; cutting legs, thighs, arms and pubic areas; tearing out eyebrows and hair; hustling or prostituting; or making suicidal gestures.

Sometimes they die. In fact, ACE survivors are almost three times as likely as other individuals to make at least one serious suicidal gesture in their lives.

Spirituality: Research indicates that many ACE survivors turn away from religion and even from God. We develop our image of God through the way we are parented early on and through religious experiences we may have.

Our capacity for awe, for experiencing wordless times of wonder and transcendence, depend in large measure on the nature of our early relationships. When these are betrayed through abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, or serious dysfunction, our capacity to surrender to the ineffable that is God may be destroyed.

The especially heinous aspect of sexual abuse by priests and the depravity of the cover-up and unapologetic stance of bishops and provincial superiors often renders asunder the young person's ability to look to God for comfort and mercy. Instead, the priest as God to the child or adolescent has become a criminal transmitter of evil.

Author and clinician Richard Gartner quotes one patient who was sexually abused by a priest: "It taught me that there is a lie in the world. As I grew up and gave up on my piety, I grew to hate the smells, sounds, feelings of church. ... My spirituality and ability to believe in a higher power were destroyed."

So how does the man or women a few spaces down in the pew seem so, well, normal? In the next piece in this series, I address the processes of healing and the resilience that can transform the deepest of wounds into just noticeable scar tissue.

http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/childhood-abuse-and-neglect-take-their-toll

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Missouri

A message to human traffickers: 'This is not OK'

by Emily O'Connor

JEFFERSON CITY — The descent into slavery began with a friendship.

Jessica Luebbert, a Jefferson City native, worked as a bartender and dancer in Columbia. Sean, a regular customer at the bar where Luebbert worked, would tell her he simply wanted to talk with her, she said. That's something not many customers desired.

“Sean paid me about $100 an hour just to sit and talk with him,” said Luebbert. “It was regular conversation. Nothing perverted. He was a friend.”

He eventually lured Luebbert into sex slavery under false pretenses of a modeling career by building up a friendship over time. She was drugged, raped and beaten in a villa for three days in Maui, Hawaii, she said.

Luebbert's story is one of many trafficking situations in Missouri. The state is tied with Washington, D.C. for No. 20 in most reported human trafficking cases in the U.S. last year, according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center defines human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against their will.

Since 2007, more than 1,500 calls have been made from Missouri to the National Human Trafficking hotline, the same site reported.

St. Louis and Kansas City are hotspots for human trafficking. Missouri is responding through legislation, law enforcement and grassroots organizations that work to combat and raise awareness about trafficking.

"The FBI has stated that St. Louis is one of the top 20 trafficking destinations in the country. Because of our highway system, highway 70 and 44, we have a lot of possibilities for that. So we do know it's a problem," said Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, chair of the Human Trafficking Task Force. "People attribute it to being an East Coast, West Coast problem. It's a Midwestern problem, both sex trafficking and labor trafficking.”

Luebbert's story

As the friendship progressed and trust grew, Sean opened up to Luebbert about his career as a modeling agent, and he said she had what it took for the industry. He offered her an all-inclusive trip to Maui, Hawaii, for a photo shoot.

"You're the girl," Sean told her.

"I was floored and stoked," Luebbert said. "It was an 'I won the lottery' sort of feeling."

After signing a contract, Luebbert was on her way to a modeling career, or so she thought. She only read the first couple pages of the lengthy contract and later realized within those lines must have been an agreement to "sign her life away." Luebbert said there were no red flags at this time.

The coercion continued as Luebbert was scammed into an industry that generates approximately $150 billion globally, according to the International Labor Organization.

There are approximately 21 million slaves in the world today, which the International Labor Organization says is a modest estimate.

Although modern slavery is pervasive internationally, it hits closer to home than many might realize.

As Sean drove Luebbert to the airport, red flags began emerging as their plans switched unexpectedly. Their planes were somehow changed and postponed. They missed their flight. When they finally boarded the plane, Sean disappeared. On the second flight, the airline switched. They suddenly needed to fly to Los Angeles. Then they missed their flight again.

"In reality, he was probably getting things rigged up with the other people in on the gig," Luebbert said.

Finally, the two boarded a plane for Hawaii. After the flight, Luebbert never saw Sean again.

A sleek, black car immediately met Luebbert at the airport, and she was told that Sean was already at the resort. As she leaned forward in the car, Luebbert noticed five or six pictures of girls. She said she thought they were models.

The car stopped outside a villa where Luebbert was left without any of her belongings. The black car was gone, and Luebbert opened the villa door to find three older men, about 65 years old. She was immediately injected in the arm and hip and suddenly felt heavy, almost as if she was under an anesthetic.

At this villa, Luebbert said she was drugged, raped and beaten for three days by these men who said they bought her from Sean. Luebbert said it was a vicious cycle: shots of medicine, rape, the medicine would wear off, she would fight back and be beaten.

"I had no idea what that meant, that they bought me," Luebbert said. "I had no idea what they were talking about."

Over time, Luebbert said she noticed a trash man outside that would come every now and then. On the third day, she knew this man was her only hope for freedom. Luebbert busted through the villa door to the trash man.

“I literally attached my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck,” said Luebbert. “I repeatedly yelled to call 911.”

Law enforcement arrived quickly and took her from the villa. But instead of relief, Luebbert said she felt shame.

"I felt like I had done something wrong," she said, "like I had murdered somebody."

Luebbert was able to fly back to Missouri with the help of a mentor back home. She immediately isolated herself in her apartment for about 13 days.

She was later diagnosed with curable diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia, but some more severe injuries from the abuse still afflict Luebbert. Severe arthritis from fractures in her neck and spine creates problems in her spinal chord and nervous system.

Luebbert said she did not realize she had been trafficked until seven years after the incident when she heard another survivor tell a story about being trafficked.

“I couldn't talk to anyone. I ran out bawling because I realized what had happened to me,” said Luebbert.

She has been sharing her story with people for the past four years.

“Each time I share it, I think I heal a little more,” Luebbert said. “One more person is educated, and they will tell others. That's why I share my story.” Luebbert shared her story on a panel at Stephens College in January for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention month.

Legislature

Four bills are making their way through the Missouri legislature that would raise awareness for human trafficking and expand the definition of sex trafficking.

House Bill 2561, sponsored by Rep. Cloria Brown, R-St. Louis, would require various establishments to hang posters with information about human trafficking and the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline. It has been passed by the House as well as the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence.

The establishments that would be required to hang the posters include hotels, motels or other establishments that have been cited as a public nuisance for prostitution, such as airports, train stations, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, women's health centers, massage parlors and more.

The bill covers most avenues for traffickers to ensnare victims, like false pretenses of massage parlors, brothels, escort services, street prostitution and Internet-based prostitution.

"The hotline number can help, not dramatically, but even if it helps one percent, that's one percent," Luebbert said.

A study conducted by the Urban Institute in March 2014 found almost all types of these commercial sex venues in major cities in the U.S.

The institute studied Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, San Diego and Washington, D.C. It found that as of 2007, the sex economy's net worth was estimated between $39.9 million and $290 million.

Sex trafficking takes place in public and private locations, including strip clubs, according to the Office on Trafficking in Persons. Victims may start off dancing or stripping in clubs and later be coerced into situations of prostitution and pornography.

The other three bills would broaden the definition of human trafficking to include advertisement of a child in a commercial sex act.

House Bill 2332, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Corlew, R-Kansas City, passed the House, the Senate Judiciary and the Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and has been placed on the Senate calendar. Senate Bill 804, sponsored by Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, has been passed by the Senate and referred to the House Select Committee on Judiciary.

House Bill 1562, sponsored by Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, was passed by the House, Senate and Fiscal Review. This is the second time Haahr has filed the bill.

"Our hope is that the bill will move fairly quickly through the Senate and then on to the governor's mansion," Haahr said. "Last year, it was on the Senate when the Senate shut down at the end of session. It was probably my biggest disappointment from last session."

Four bills moving through the legislature would aid police efforts to combat human trafficking.

"(House Bill 2561) would be useful to us for notification purposes to our department if the public is aware of instances of human trafficking," said Detective Sergeant Jatonya Clayborn-Muldrow, supervisor of human trafficking in the St. Louis Police Department.

The other three bills would also be helpful because they will give the department more opportunities to charge traffickers, she said. But the bills do not solve the problem.

"The issue is not just a sex worker issue, but it is a demographic issue as it relates to income, gender, race," Clayborn-Muldrow said. "It's just a social economic problem that begins way before human trafficking is involved."

Last year was the first for Missouri's Human Trafficking Task Force, chaired by Haahr, which aims to identify long- and short-term strategies that can combat trafficking now and in the future, Haahr said. The task force's 22 members range from legislators, law enforcement, public safety officials, organization members and survivors.

“(Human trafficking is) a problem everywhere, particularly anywhere that is on a major highway," Haahr said. "One of the things about trafficking, one of the things that makes it so attractive to a trafficker is, unlike a good like a drug that you sell and need to replace, you can use a human body as many times as possible, and so it's a reusable item. That's what draws that trafficker to that industry. It's extraordinarily difficult to break that cycle.”

Missouri passed some legislation in 2010 and 2011 to combat human trafficking.

Senate Bills 586 and 617 passed in 2010 to restrict sexually-oriented businesses because they were linked to crimes like prostitution and sexual assault, according to a previous Missourian report.

The law requires adult businesses in Missouri to close from midnight to 6 a.m. Strip clubs are allowed to stay open, but the law bans full nudity at all times and physical contact between semi-nude dancers and patrons. Dancers must have their lower breasts and buttocks covered at all times under the law's definition of semi-nude, according to the Missourian article.

It also restricts new sexually-oriented businesses from setting up shop within 1,000 feet of any school, house of worship, day care, library, public park, residence or another sexually-oriented business.

House Bill 214 was passed in 2011 to authorize the Department of Public Safety to establish procedures for identifying human trafficking victims and to develop training programs. The bill also authorized establishing protocol for appropriate agencies on how to educate employees on identifying and assisting victims.

The Department of Public Safety does not currently fund any anti-human trafficking organizations, but some anti-trafficking organizations may receive grant money from the department.

Despite these advancements, Luebbert said there are more areas that deserve attention, such as education for younger generations and law enforcement.

"I do not feel that we are anywhere close to where we need to be," Luebbert said. "I do believe we're getting somewhere, I don't think we're getting enough or fast enough, but that's coming from someone who survived this."

Law enforcement

St. Louis police officers are required to attend training biannually, and human trafficking is addressed during one of those sessions. The department also has detectives who specialize in human trafficking and work with local organizations that combat trafficking, Clayborn-Muldrow said.

Clayborn-Muldrow said trafficking is increasingly difficult to recognize.

"Human trafficking can be very difficult to identify," Clayborn-Muldrow said. "Most communications and arrangements for contact are done via social media and over the Internet."

Backpage and Craigslist are popular sites used by traffickers.

The department offers training for businesses, organizations, schools and other groups interested in learning about human trafficking. The class covers the definition of human trafficking, how to identify it and who to contact if they believe human trafficking is taking place. Clayborn-Muldrow said the training is more popular now that human trafficking receives more media attention.

Most identified victims of trafficking in St. Louis are black juvenile females.

"Everything," Clayborn-Muldrow answered when asked what more needs to be done. "There is no one way to tackle the issue."

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri launched the Human Trafficking Rescue Project in 2006 to combat trafficking. The project was created to help identify victims, provide them with immediate protection and support and work with survivors to further investigate and prosecute traffickers.

The operation has successfully investigated and convicted large human trafficking scandals since 2009.

The Columbia Police Department offered a three-day training session on how to identify human trafficking crimes in 2013, according to a previous Missourian report. The training was hosted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri.

Officers learned about the history of human trafficking, how to recognize trafficking and how the community can help police identify trafficking situations.

But there has still been no institutionalized training for all levels of law enforcement in Missouri.

"I think it's safe to say everyone would say we can't be confident that there's a high level of awareness among our law enforcement simply because as a state we've not been able to offer training across the board to all those levels of state law enforcement," said Nanette Ward, co-founder of the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition.

Grassroots efforts

There are more than 15 organizations throughout Missouri that help raise awareness about human trafficking and rehabilitate survivors.

The Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition has aided trafficking survivors since April 2008. Nanette Ward, one of the coalition's founding members, has served survivors ever since. The coalition works to abolish trafficking in central Missouri through education, community outreach and supporting survivors.

The coalition has worked alongside legislators since 2011 by giving survivor testimonies at public hearings and allocating funds for law enforcement training to the Department of Public Safety. Members of the coalition have been a part of the Human Trafficking Task Force and worked with Haahr on bills to include advertisement in the definition of sex trafficking.

Ward said the current legislative measures are necessary pieces to trafficking prevention.

"That toll-free hotline has been shown to be a very effective tool, texting and calling. Texting was put in place after the toll-free number, and that was a huge deal, specifically in keeping the victims in mind who would not be able to just make a phone call but could rather text more discreetly and safely," Ward said.

Most importantly, the posters that would be mandated through House Bill 2561 omit a zero-tolerance policy for traffickers in Missouri, she said.

"Those posters to me are a symbol of saying, ‘We do not tolerate this' to the traffickers," Ward said. "Of course we're wanting to make the community aware so they can call in tips, and of course, number one, the victims who can reach out for help ... but also a message to traffickers that this is not okay. ... I think that's a strong message for us to have.”

But the battle to end trafficking is far from over.

"We just have to keep at it," she said. "There's the funding issue, there's training issue, there's protecting children who are trafficked. ... There's just a lot. ... It's gonna take a long while."

Some law enforcement agencies have received some training from local organizations that are able to offer it, Ward said. Law enforcement education is part of St. Louis Rescue and Restore's initiative to inform the public about sex trafficking.

“We want to change the perception of law enforcement so they don't automatically look at people engaged in commercial sex as criminals,” said Amanda Mohl, organizer for St. Louis Rescue and Restore. “Victims may not be doing this on their own free will.”

St. Louis Rescue and Restore trains law enforcement to ask more questions, build rapport and take a victim-centered approach, Mohl said.

Mohl and Ward both agree that the key to identifying and preventing instances of sex trafficking is education.

“We are hoping that by teaching people what this is, what it looks like and who to talk to, we can increase the amount of tips we receive. This will ultimately increase prosecutions and bring large amounts of people out of this situation,” Mohl said.

One of the biggest obstacles to engaging people in education about trafficking is their disbelief in its relevance to their lives, Ward said.

"When you are able to ... give examples, the broad spectrum of very real examples within Missouri, then again things begin to shift in people's minds, and then it does become relevant for them," Ward said. "Once you have that opportunity to educate, it's really not that hard for folks to realize that, yes, indeed it's a very relevant issue for them.”

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/a-message-to-human-traffickers-this-is-not-ok/article_bd47502c-0596-11e6-9e2d-cb07990d3959.html

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Malaysia

You need to recognise the different signs of child abuse

by Dr. Mary Joseph Marret

The World Health Organization lists violence as a major human concern.

We know from studies such as the United Nations Report on Violence against Children that children face violence within the community in a variety of settings, including their homes and at school.

This exposes them to physical danger, injury and psychological harm.

There is growing evidence from research such as the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study that exposure to trauma in childhood increases the risk of smoking, obesity, depression, addiction, heart or lung diseases, and cancer in adulthood.

To improve the wellbeing of children, as well as the overall health of the community, it is important to address the problem of child abuse.

Protecting children from violence requires participation from everyone within the community. Children should receive the best care and protection from their own families.

Parents have an important role in providing children with basic needs, nurturing them, guiding them and protecting them from harm.

Raising children is a challenging task. Sometimes, adults may act inappropriately in a way that harms children. This could happen due to ignorance, stress, unrealistic expectations or inability to control their own behaviour.

The problem may be hidden because children have difficulty speaking up and adults may not wish to reveal the problem.

Physical abuse

Any child with bruises, cuts, burns or fractures without a reasonable explanation, may be experiencing physical abuse, especially when they are found to have multiple injuries on repeated occasions.

It is important to recognise that the following actions are abusive and should never be considered acceptable ways to discipline a child:

• Any beating that causes injury with bruises and bleeding.

• Hitting babies or toddlers who are too young to understand what is right and wrong.

• Kicking and punching.

• Shoving a child against something hard or pushing him until he falls down.

• Bending or twisting a child's arms or legs.

• Applying hot objects, hot liquids or applying other substances that cause burns or scalds, e.g. rubbing chilli on the skin, lips or mouth.

• Hitting a child during a quarrel with someone else.

• Hitting a child out of anger or frustration over a matter that does not concern him.

• Punishing a child due to unreasonable expectations, e.g. hitting a two-year-old for wetting his pants.

• Hitting a child while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Depriving a child of food, drink or making him stand outside in the sun or rain.

• Locking a child within a confined space.

• Pulling a child by the hair.

Fragile! Handle with care

Young babies require the most care and attention. Sometimes, episodes of non-stop crying may stretch the patience of parents and caregivers. In such situations, it is important to contact a family member or friend to get support and stay calm.

Never shake, punch or hit babies to stop them from crying. These actions are very dangerous. They can cause severe head injuries, bleeding in the eyes and other internal injuries that may endanger the child's life.

If you have difficulty controlling the behaviour of your child, ask a family member or friend for support, and seek professional help.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse occurs when there is repeated negative interaction between a parent/ caregiver and a child. This can cause children to suffer from insecurity, poor self-esteem and result in psychological, as well as behavioural problems.

Examples of emotional abuse:

• Repeatedly scolding and criticising a child without any positive encouragement.

• Constant comparison with others who are “better” or “smarter”.

• Repeatedly ignoring a child and depriving him of love and attention.

• Excluding a child from treats and presents given to other children.

• Using negative labels to address children such as “useless” or “stupid”.

• Allowing a child to witness frightening scenes, e.g. violent arguments between adults.

Children learn by imitation. Parents, teachers and adults who care for children should lead by example by becoming positive role models.

Children who receive regular encouragement to develop talents and receive positive feedback for things that they have done correctly, will grow into confident adults with good self-esteem.

Sexual abuse

Never ignore a child who tells you that someone has touched his or her private parts. It is unusual for young children to make such statements without some kind of direct experience.

Explain to him that he has a right to say “No!” if someone asks him to do something or touches him in a way that makes him uncomfortable.

Be aware that sexual abuse is a problem that affects both boys and girls.

Encourage your children to approach you if they have any problems, and always be prepared to listen. Children become reluctant or afraid to speak up if they feel that parents and teachers are not willing to listen.

They may also be frightened if the abuser has threatened them or told them that no one would believe their story.

Stand up for your child. Assure him that you will protect him from anyone who tries to hurt him. Do seek professional help if you have any concerns that your child may have been sexually abused.

Warning signs of possible sexual abuse:

• Pain, bleeding or discharge around the private parts or staining of undergarments.

• Sexual behaviour towards others.

• Sudden rebellious or aggressive behaviour.

• Smoking, taking drugs or alcohol.

• Appearing sad, depressed, withdrawn or suicidal.

• Playing truant and running away.

• Difficulty sleeping, having recurrent nightmares and poor appetite.

Neglect

Neglect occurs when a child's family fails to provide for his needs, even when they have resources available.

Most families understand that they should provide basic necessities such as food, clothing, healthcare and education.

However, many are not aware of how important it is to supervise their children. Lack of supervision can expose children to many kinds of danger, such as drowning, being run over by a vehicle, or being trapped in an enclosed space that could result in heat exhaustion or suffocation.

Children who are left unsupervised may also be abducted or become the target of sexual abuse.

Children depend on adults for help. Do not delay if you have concerns that a child may have been abused. Your prompt action could help to save a child's life.

You may contact any of the following agencies:

• The national hotline Talian Nur at 15999 or the nearest Welfare office.

• Your local police station.

• Your nearest hospital.

http://www.star2.com/family/children/2016/05/08/you-need-to-recognise-the-different-signs-of-child-abuse/

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Michigan

Priest removed for sex abuse works with teens at pregnancy center

by Niraj Warikoo

A Catholic priest removed from churches in metro Detroit after he was accused of sexually abusing a teenager is now the development director of a new Catholic center in Eastpointe that counsels pregnant teenagers, prompting calls for him to step down.

The Rev. Kenneth Kaucheck, 62, was banned from public ministry by the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2009 after church officials determined he had sexual misconduct in the 1970s with a 16-year-old girl he was counseling as a priest.

Kaucheck is now a director at the Gianna House Pregnancy and Parenting Residence, next to St. Veronica Catholic Church in Eastpointe. Opened last year in a former convent, the center takes in teenagers and young women who are pregnant, assisting them and any children they might later have.

The website for Gianna House says it "is a scared sanctuary for its residents, each of whom deserve to continue the life of her unborn child in an environment imbued with spiritual grace, emotional and social support, and knowledge." The website says its "Board has been selected by Father Ken Kaucheck and Sister Mary Diane Masson to provide a wide range of ideas and skills."

The archdiocese and advocates for children who are abused by priests are calling for Gianna House to remove Kaucheck.

Joe Kohn, director of public relations for the Archdiocese of Detroit, told the Free Press last week that Kaucheck's "position at Gianna House violates the restrictions placed on his ministry in 2009. We assert that he should not be allowed to continue in this position."

Kohn said that Kaucheck could be removed under Catholic canon law.

David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), said in a statement last month that it's disconcerting that "a priest who was ousted because he molested a girl now works for a nonprofit that reportedly helps girls."

"It's inexcusable for any nonprofit to hire a credibly accused child molesting cleric. A simple Google search would have shown that Fr. Ken is potentially dangerous and should never be given any position or title that confers respect, much less gives him access to vulnerable people."

Clohessy said there's a pattern of Catholic officials allowing suspended priests to resurface in other roles, sometimes around children. Prosecutors declined to press charges against Kaucheck in 2009 because they said the girl was at the age of legal consent.

Clohessy also criticized the archdiocese and Archbishop Allen Vigneron for not being more active in alerting Catholics about Kaucheck.

Clohessy said that "Vigneron's irresponsible secrecy is one reason" why Gianna House's board chairman, Dr. Robert Welch, "says he was unaware of the accusation against Fr. Kaucheck and Fr. Kaucheck's suspension."

Welch told the Macomb Daily that he was not aware of Kaucheck's history, calling it "shocking news." Attempts by the Free Press to reach Welch at local hospitals and offices were unsuccessful.

A woman who answered the phone at Gianna House said she would not comment on Kaucheck and would not leave a message for its officials. E-mails sent to Sister Mary Diane Masson, executive director of Gianna House, and Sister Theresa Mayrand, associate director of Gianna House, were not returned. Kaucheck could not be reached for comment.

Kaucheck was ordained in 1976 and had served as a pastor or associate pastor at churches in Clawson, Dearborn, Detroit, Troy, Grosse Pointe Woods and Ferndale, according to information from the archdiocese. In 2008, he was appointed pastor at St. Mary Parish in Royal Oak and St. James Parish in Ferndale.

In 2009, a woman came forward with allegations that Kaucheck abused her when he was counseling her at Guardian Angels Parish in Clawson in 1976, when she was a teen.

Her allegations were backed by Elizabeth Sayraf, now an Ann Arbor psychologist, who was interviewed by a diocesan investigator.

Sayraf told the Free Press in 2009 that she was a 17-year-old receptionist at Guardian Angels in 1976 when the girl had told her about the abuse, showing a plane ticket of a trip she and the priest had taken together to Florida. Sayraf said she reported it to a deacon at church, who told the senior priest.

Kaucheck, who would have been in his mid 20s at that time, was then reassigned to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dearborn.

After the incident was reported to police 33 years later, the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office declined to press criminal charges because the teen was of legal consent in 1976 when the sexual relationship took place, the Free Press reported.

Kohn said that when the archdiocese received the complaints in 2009, "we immediately reported the allegation to law enforcement authorities. The allegation also was reported to the Archdiocesan Review Board, which serves as a consultative body to review accusations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The Review Board deemed that the allegation was substantive."

"The archbishop made the decision after having met with the victim, Rev. Kaucheck, and the Review Board -- to restrict Rev. Kaucheck from public ministry. ... The terms of these restrictions, which were made clear to Rev. Kaucheck, remain in place today."

Kaucheck has never commented publicly about the abuse allegations.

But in 2002, he was quoted in the Free Press about what Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida, at the time the head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, said during a meeting with 200 priests to discuss new church rules on sexual abuse.

"Children, children, children -- we have to protect children," Kaucheck said, describing what Maida stressed at the meeting.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/michigan/priest-removed-for-sex-abuse-works-with-teens-at-pregnancy-center/182122157

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Mississippi

Child Abuse Survivor Talks About Experience Trauma

by Desare Frazier

(Audio on site)

Fifty-year old Terry Morris is enjoying a 30-year career with NASA, owns multiple homes and travels the world. It's a complete turnaround for the man whose parents called him the devil. He says his alcoholic mother beat him routinely. Morris says he was also stabbed with nails and a knife. When he was 13, he says his parents drove him from Chicago to Plantersville, Mississippi and put him out of the car. Morris says he was homeless for a year and a half before he ended up in a boys home. That's when everything changed.

"Other than providing the financial means of going back to school and clothes and taking a bath and having food to eat. It was probably more of the psychological, mental and emotional you can make it. You can do it," said Morris.

Morris says teachers, social workers and years of counseling helped him deal with his anger and learn to forgive. Now he shares his story to help others understand the depth of the trauma abused and neglected children experience. Christine James-Brown CEO of Child Welfare League of America says it takes community involvement to help families.

"The faith-based community has to be involved. Schools have to be involved. The mental health community has to be involved. It takes a broad based effort," said Brown.

Mississippi Children's Home Services sponsored the children's mental health summit, and reports there are more than 5,000 children in child welfare custody in the state.

http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2016/05/09/child-abuse-survivor-talks-about-experience-and-understanding-trauma/

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Australia

Editorial

Time limit ‘defence' on child sex abuse must change

THERE is no place for statutory time limits in a society that prioritises child safety. Existing Queensland legislation that requires victims of child abuse to begin legal action against institutions by the age of 21 or be ruled ineligible for compensation is offensive and must be changed.

To date, institutions — be they churches, schools or orphanages — have invoked the statute of limitations “defence” either in direct response to being sued or in preliminary negotiations with victims to dissuade them from taking action.

Institutions that have known that an employee, such as a priest, teacher or counsellor, has sexually assaulted children have protected the perpetrator by refusing to report them to police, by relocating them, or deliberately destroying evidence.

The Anglican Diocese of Brisbane (under archbishop Hollingworth and then archbishop Aspinall) and Brisbane Grammar School both used the time limits defence in relation to pedophile Kevin Lynch. Lynch abused boys at Brisbane Grammar School in the 1970s and '80s, and at St Paul's School in the 1990s. He committed suicide in 1997 after being charged by police with indecent dealing with a boy at St Paul's.

As for Lynch's many victims, they were offered as little as $15,000 compensation for years of abuse.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse says time limits are an injustice to survivors of abuse and, appropriately, has called for their immediate and retrospective abolition.

Victoria was the first state to pass the necessary reform legislation last year. NSW followed suit this year and Western Australia has tabled a bill to comply with the royal commission's recommendations.

Queensland must do likewise.

The psychological trauma of child abuse does not stop at age 21, yet the injuries caused can make it impossible for victims to report the crimes until after a period of recovery. On average this takes between 22 and 25 years, according to medical evidence.

As seen in February, when members of the Ballarat Survivors Group travelled to Rome for the royal commission hearing of Cardinal George Pell, the psychological scars can last a lifetime. Survivor Andrew Collins said: “A lot of people might think this is the end of our journey. It's not.”

Mr Collins, 46, was abused from the age of 11 by four different men but when he tried to speak out as a teenager, he was not believed. It was only later in adulthood that Mr Collins was able to seek to bring his abusers to justice — by which point two of them had died. As for the fear he felt as a child, it continues to haunt him in nightmares.

Removing the 21-year age limit will not only allow victims to receive appropriate levels of compensation for the abuse — including for lost earnings and healthcare costs — but it will give them the right to have their cases heard.

It will allow them to come forward in their own time and to be treated with dignity. By removing time limits, victims will be able to sue institutions for true losses and for the first time in Queensland's history it will be more expensive to allow a child to be abused than to prevent it.

Minister's secrecy fuels suspicion

THERE'S no great mystery about why you're regarded as secretive when something is being hidden.

Long and painful experience for those asking questions and requesting information which is then not forthcoming is that something is being hidden — and usually for reasons of embarrassment. It's also a matter of fact that the more someone seeks to keep something from the public's gaze, the more that suspicion grows — again with justification. Throw politics into this mix and those doubts and questions multiply.

The Labor Police Minister in the Palaszczuk Government, Bill Byrne, has been coy about his use of firearms for many months, ever since it was suggested he discharged a weapon into the ceiling of his home in front of his wife. Mr Byrne has had to be pushed to make any admissions about these claims — which include the bizarre suggestion he used firearms for pest control — although he has all along made it appear he has nothing to hide and is not worried about what might or might not be revealed.

Now Mr Byrne has dropped his pretence that he has nothing to hide and is actively resisting the release of his army records which most people believe would reveal whether he did in fact shoot a firearm into his home ceiling. This is despite Mr Byrne saying just three months ago he had “no problem” with any record from his time in the army being made public. Perhaps Mr Byrne has been reminded of the embarrassment former premier Campbell Newman suffered when his military records were made public.

Whatever might be behind Mr Byrne's stubborn refusal to come clean, everyone can be excused for drawing the logical conclusion he is just covering up.