4 bills up in the Florida Legislature this session have passed unanimously!
The four pieces of legislation (SB 522, SB 524, SB 526, SB 528), sponsored by Senators Grimsley, Sobel, Bradley and Evers, include provisions relating to the prevention of sexual violence and punishment of predators, including measures that will:
Expand the criteria for civil commitment screening so predators do not fall through the cracks and improve the multidisciplinary team that evaluates predators and offenders,
Improve awareness about area sex offenders and predators on college campuses,
Toll community supervision of predators so supervision begins after release from civil commitment,
Close a loophole in our state’s criminal statute of limitations to allow individuals victimized by sexual violence before age 16 to seek justice for the acts committed against them as children,
Expand the amount of information sex offenders must register with law enforcement to include internet identifiers and information about vehicles and professional licenses,
Enact a 50-year mandatory minimum sentence for those who sexually assault an individual with a developmental delay or disability,
Expand the court’s ability to allow use of service and therapy animals to aid a child victim or witness or a sexual offense victim or witness in his or her testimony, and more.
http://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpg00SOL Reformhttp://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpgSOL Reform2014-03-14 16:31:162014-03-14 16:31:16Progress on child sex abuse awareness and prevention in FL!
Criminal charges will not be filed against Craig Peeples, director of Pak’s Karate in Kingsland, despite the district attorney’s opinion that “sufficient evidence” exists linking him to numerous acts of child molestation over more than a decade.
In a March 6 letter from her office to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, district attorney Jackie Johnson says that the state is barred from pursuing charges on incidents that occurred between 1988 and 2001 in Camden County because the statute of limitations has expired.
According to Johnson’s letter, if the statute of limitations had not expired, Johnson would have taken the evidence to a grand jury, which would then have had to choose whether to indict Peeples. If he had been indicted, he would still have a right to a jury trial, during which it would be the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The expiration of the statute of limitations is an absolute bar to prosecution,” Johnson says in her letter. “As such, my office is unable to proceed to grand jury on these allegations.”
Based upon witness interviews, Johnson’s letter states, “multiple acts of sodomy, aggravated sodomy, child molestation, aggravated child molestation and sexual battery occurred with students of Pak’s Karate beginning as early as 1988 and continuing up until 2001.”
The letter contains allegations from six former students, their identities withheld, regarding abuse that they say occurred at Peeples’ Camden residence and at Pak’s Karate in Kingsland. Some allege that abuse also occurred out of state and out of country when they traveled with Peeples to various karate tournaments, according to the letter.
Peeples responds
In an 800-word written statement to the Tribune & Georgian, Peeples calls the accusations “hateful and slanderous remarks” that are “absolutely false.”
“There is no shred of evidence other than those false statements,” he wrote. “These allegations are perpetrated by misguided people with an agenda to hurt me, my family and the Pak’s Karate organization…
“I did not commit the allegations that were made against me by a group of men with an agenda of financial and personal destruction.”
His full statement has been published in today’s edition on page 5A as a letter to the editor.
Alleged victims speak
Three of the six alleged victims – Justin Conway, Christopher Brazell and Steven Tann – spoke to the Tribune & Georgian Wednesday and refuted Peeples’ claims that they lied, saying they spoke up about the abuse to protect other children.
“I’m not planning to open a karate school. I don’t want any of Craig’s money. The only reason I came out and I did tell the GBI is for the safety of the children here in Camden County,” said Tann, who resigned as an instructor from the school last year.
“There is a real concern for the safety of the children at Pak’s Karate and I never want anyone to have to go through what I have had to go through,” Conway said. “… I think it’s disappointing that the statute of limitations means for us that we will never see justice (but) the most important thing is that no other children get hurt.”
Brazell echoed Tann and Conway’s comments, saying that he also spoke out “so the opportunity is not there for him.”
“It’s not about anybody else but protecting children,” Conway said. “Nobody deserves this and nobody should have to endure this. … Bottom line is nobody wants to come forward and tell the truth that these things happened to you. This is about the safety of children and them not having to endure a lifelong sentence that was forced upon us. We were kids.”
Brazell and Conway both said that they have not had contact with a majority of the other victims for more than a decade until the investigation began.
The justice system has failed the six victims and continues to fail by not protecting other karate students, Conway said, adding that the victims have received some backlash in the community.
“It’s hurtful,” Conway said. “But the right thing isn’t the easy thing.”
Tann and Brazell both said they were thankful that the DA’s letter was so explicitly worded.
“I appreciate her coming out with that letter, so people will know the truth,” Tann said.
“Absolutely,” Brazell added. “She went out on a limb to do what she knows in her heart is right.”
Peeples’ statement to the Tribune & Georgian emphasized that the DA’s letter is not a finding of guilt and does not consider any evidence that is favorable to the accused.
Peeples returns to teach
GBI opened the investigation into allegations against Peeples in October 2013. Peeples voluntarily stepped down from his position at the Kingsland school but returned to teaching earlier this year. In addition to karate lessons, the business also offers an after-school program as well as summer camps.
In 2012, he was honored by the Brunswick chapter of The Links as a Man of Distinction for his and his business’s contributions to the community.
According to his nomination information, which was published in the Tribune & Georgian, Peeples impacts his students’ lives by encouraging them to “develop themselves in a positive manner and avoid anything that will harm them or others mentally or physically.”
The nomination also states that Peeples has made a difference in the Camden community by providing a safe place for children to go after school.
“He has won countless awards and has well represented the communities in which he serves,” according to his nomination.
According to information posted last year on the Pak’s Karate website, Peeples is a seventh-degree black belt who began training in 1979. He started teaching when he was 13 years old and partnered with another black belt at 15 to open the Kingsland karate school in 1985. Eventually, he opened or acquired karate schools in Folkston, Fernandina Beach, Fla., Brunswick and Waycross.
“Master Peeples has traveled all over the United States, to Korea, England, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica either for tournaments, training or demonstrations,” the site stated.
New developments
At the end of her letter, Johnson requests that the GBI alert her office if the agency receives any additional information pertaining to the investigation.
“… the Legislature has recognized the fact that many child victims do not come forward to report the abuse until years after its occurrence and thus removed any statute of limitations for certain crimes involving sexual abuse of children occurring after July 1, 2012. Consequently, any new evidence or witnesses coming forward could potentially affect our ability to proceed with criminal charges in this case,” the letter states.
Meanwhile, State Rep. Jason Spencer has planned a press conference today in the Capitol Building Rotunda in Atlanta with the alleged victims and their attorney, Marci Hamilton. According to a release issued March 11, she is a leading expert on statute of limitations for child sex abuse.
Spencer, a member of the House Juvenile Justice Committee, introduced a bill in the current session to expand the statute in civil cases, but it died in committee before a vote could be taken. He says he plans to reintroduce the bill in the next session.
“I want to make the public aware of the latest sex abuse victims who have been shut out of Georgia’s courts. Children are at risk,” said Spencer (R-Woodbine). “The district attorney’s office recently released a report about … a local karate instructor who is still teaching children. According to her report, there is sufficient grounds for prosecution. However, these victims may not file criminal charges or file a civil case because of Georgia’s unfair statute of limitations for child sex abuse. We cannot let this continue to happen to our children.”
http://i1.wp.com/sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/image.jpeg?fit=1280%2C117411741280SOL Reformhttp://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpgSOL Reform2014-03-14 16:00:012014-03-14 16:00:01Heroic survivors protecting children in their community
“Child sexual abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater, because the children are afraid to tell anyone what has happened, and the legal procedure for validating an episode is difficult. The problem should be identified, the abuse stopped, and the child should receive professional help. The long-term emotional and psychological damage of sexual abuse can be devastating to the child…”
Child sexual abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater, because the children are afraid to tell anyone what has happened, and the legal procedure for validating an episode is difficult. The problem should be identified, the abuse stopped, and the child should receive professional help. The long-term emotional and psychological damage of sexual abuse can be devastating to the child.
Child sexual abuse can take place within the family, by a parent, step-parent, sibling or other relative; or outside the home, for example, by a friend, neighbor, child care person, teacher, or stranger. When sexual abuse has occurred, a child can develop a variety of distressing feelings, thoughts and behaviors.
No child is psychologically prepared to cope with repeated sexual stimulation. Even a two or three year old, who cannot know the sexual activity is wrong, will develop problems resulting from the inability to cope with the overstimulation.
The child of five or older who knows and cares for the abuser becomes trapped between affection or loyalty for the person, and the sense that the sexual activities are terribly wrong. If the child tries to break away from the sexual relationship, the abuser may threaten the child with violence or loss of love. When sexual abuse occurs within the family, the child may fear the anger, jealousy or shame of other family members, or be afraid the family will break up if the secret is told.
A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults, and can become suicidal.
Some children who have been sexually abused have difficulty relating to others except on sexual terms. Some sexually abused children become child abusers or prostitutes, or have other serious problems when they reach adulthood.
Often there are no obvious external signs of child sexual abuse. Some signs can only be detected on physical exam by a physician.
Sexually abused children may also develop the following:
unusual interest in or avoidance of all things of a sexual nature
Child sexual abusers can make the child extremely fearful of telling, and only when a special effort has helped the child to feel safe, can the child talk freely. If a child says that he or she has been molested, parents should try to remain calm and reassure the child that what happened was not their fault. Parents should seek a medical examination and psychiatric consultation.
Parents can prevent or lessen the chance of sexual abuse by:
Telling children that if someone tries to touch your body and do things that make you feel funny, say NO to that person and tell me right away
Teaching children that respect does not mean blind obedience to adults and to authority, for example, don’t tell children to, Always do everything the teacher or baby-sitter tells you to do
Encouraging professional prevention programs in the local school system
Sexually abused children and their families need immediate professional evaluation and treatment. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can help abused children regain a sense of self-esteem, cope with feelings of guilt about the abuse, and begin the process of overcoming the trauma. Such treatment can help reduce the risk that the child will develop serious problems as an adult.
http://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpg00SOL Reformhttp://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpgSOL Reform2014-03-14 15:51:412014-03-14 16:18:21American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Sex Abuse Facts for Families (March 2011)
This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Feb 27, 2014 at 12:34 PM by lerror. –> This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 11:14 AM by lpoole. –> This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 11:53 AM by lpoole. –>
Representative Angela Romero proposes the following substitute bill:
1
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION
2
2014 GENERAL SESSION
3
STATE OF UTAH
4
Chief Sponsor: Angela Romero
5
Senate Sponsor: J. Stuart Adams
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill enacts provisions relating to child sexual abuse prevention training and
10 instruction in public schools.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . adopts certain recommendations of Illinois’s Erin’s Law Task Force;
14 . requires the State Board of Education, in partnership with H. [ certain entities ] the
14a Department of Human Services .H , to
15 approve instructional materials for child sexual abuse prevention and awareness
16 training and instruction;
17 . requires a school district or charter school to use the instructional materials
18 approved by the State Board of Education to provide child sexual abuse prevention
19 and awareness training and instruction to:
20 . school personnel; and
21 . the parents or guardians of elementary school students;
22 . provides that a school district or charter school may provide child sexual abuse
23 prevention and awareness instruction to elementary school students subject to
24 certain requirements; and
25 . requires the State Board of Education to report to the Education Interim Committee.
26 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
27 None
28 Other Special Clauses:
29 None
30 Utah Code Sections Affected:
31 ENACTS:
32 53A-13-112 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
33
34 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
35 Section 1. Section 53A-13-112 is enacted to read:
36 53A-13-112.Child sexual abuse prevention.
37 (1) As used in this section, “school personnel” is as defined in 53A-11-605 .
38 (2) On or before July 1, 2015, the State Board of Education shall approve, in
39 partnership with the Department of Human ServicesH. [ and nonprofit organizations specializing in
40 child sexual abuse prevention ] .H, age-appropriate instructional materials for the training and
41 instruction described in Subsections (3)(a) and (4).
42 (3) (a) Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, a school district or charter school shall
43 provide training and instruction on child sexual abuse prevention and awareness to:
44 (i) school personnel in elementary and secondary schools on:
45 (A) responding to a disclosure of child sexual abuse in a supportive, appropriate
46 manner; and
47 (B) the mandatory reporting requirements described in Sections 53A-6-502 and
48 62A-4a-403 ; and
49 (ii) parents or guardians of elementary school students on:
50 (A) recognizing warning signs of a child who is being sexually abused; and
51 (B) effective, age-appropriate methods for discussing the topic of child sexual abuse
52 with a child.
53 (b) A school district or charter school shall use the instructional materials approved by
54 the State Board of Education under Subsection (2) to provide the training and instruction to
55 school personnel and parents or guardians under Subsection (3)(a).
56 (4) (a) In accordance with Subsections (4)(b) and (5), a school district or charter school
57 may provide instruction on child sexual abuse prevention and awareness to elementary school
58 students using age-appropriate curriculum.
59 (b) Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, a school district or charter school that
60 provides the instruction described in Subsection (4)(a) shall use the instructional materials
61 approved by the board under Subsection (2) to provide the instruction.
62 (5) (a) An elementary school student may not be given the instruction described in
63 Subsection (4) unless the parent or guardian of the student is:
64 (i) notified in advance of the:
65 (A) instruction and the content of the instruction; and
66 (B) parent or guardian’s right to have the student excused from the instruction;
67 (ii) given an opportunity to review the instructional materials before the instruction
68 occurs; and
69 (iii) allowed to be present when the instruction is delivered.
70 (b) Upon the written request of the parent or guardian of an elementary school student,
71 the student shall be excused from the instruction described in Subsection (4).
71a S. (c) Participation of a student requires compliance with Sections 53A-13-301 and
71b 53A-13-302..S
72 (6) A school district or charter school mayH. [ :
73 (a) ] .Hdetermine the mode of delivery for the training and instruction described in
74 Subsections (3) and (4)H. [ ; and
75 (b) partner with a nonprofit organization to provide the training and instruction ] .H.
76 (7) (a) The State Board of Education shall report to the Education Interim Committee
77 on the progress of the provisions of this section by the committee’s November 2017 meeting.
78 (b) Upon request of the State Board of Education, a school district or charter school
79 shall provide to the State Board of Education information that is necessary for the report
80 required under Subsection (7)(a).
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ATLANTA, Ga. (WTXL) – A Georgia Representative is urging fellow legislators to increase justice for abuse victims. Representative Jason Spencer of Woodbine is holding a press conference on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Georgia State Capitol.
ReP. Spencer is looking for support to enact a statute of limitations reform for child sex abuse victims in next year’s legislative session. In addition, he’s expected to lay out a plan to increase justice for all of Georgia victims of child sexual abuse.
This comes after the District Attorney’s Office released a report about sex abuse by a karate instructor who is still teaching children. The report finds there’s significant grounds for prosecution, however the victims may not file criminal charge or file a civil case because of Georgia’s statute of limitations for child sex abuse.
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Former Kamehameha Schools students have stepped forward saying they were sexually abused while they attended the school. Their claims were outlined in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in State Circuit Court by their attorney, Michael Green.
Green says for now, he is representing eight men who all say they were sexually abused and molested at the hands of Dr. Robert McCormick Browne, a psychiatrist who Green says worked for Kamehameha Schools and conducted so-called therapy sessions on the students, falling within a 21-year period from 1958-1981. Green says, at the time, Browne was the Chief of Psychiatry at St. Francis Medical Center and the boys were all younger than 16 years old.
“Many of them had minor problems at Kamehameha Schools when they were young, from 7th grade and 8th grade, and they were referred to Dr. Brown,” said Green. “If they did not see Dr. Brown, the threat was (they would) get expelled.”
Green says Dr. Browne died in 1991. According to the lawsuit, the so-called therapy sessions took place at the doctor’s home in Manoa along with a vacation home in Kamuela during weekend sleepovers. Green says the doctor was a dorm adviser and was given access to students at their dorm rooms. Green says the victims also allege the sessions took place at the doctor’s office at St. Francis.
The lawsuit comes just as the statute of limitations on the filing of child sex and molestation cases is set to expire next month, a deadline that was set two years ago by the state legislature. But there is a move to grant yet another extension for those who are willing to come forward and file suit. KHON2 obtained a copy of Senate Bill 2687, a measure that would extend the statute of limitations even further. If this measure becomes law, complainants who allege child sexual abuse will get to file civil suits up until they turn the age of 55.
State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro introduced the bill and also won approval for the two-year extension that expires next month. As for the age of 55, Sen Shimabukuro said, “It’s a way to strike a compromise between the rights of the accused and the rights of the victims.”
The Senate bill has crossed over to the House and a hearing on the measure is scheduled before the Committee on Human Services on Thursday.
Kamehameha Schools says these are serious allegations and will not comment until after it has seen the lawsuit.
St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii says it will also not comment until after it has been served with the complaint.
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Progress on child sex abuse awareness and prevention in FL!
/in Florida /by SOL Reform4 bills up in the Florida Legislature this session have passed unanimously!
The four pieces of legislation (SB 522, SB 524, SB 526, SB 528), sponsored by Senators Grimsley, Sobel, Bradley and Evers, include provisions relating to the prevention of sexual violence and punishment of predators, including measures that will:
Heroic survivors protecting children in their community
/in Georgia /by SOL ReformDA: Peeples will not be prosecuted
by Emily Heglund and Johna Strickland Rush
Criminal charges will not be filed against Craig Peeples, director of Pak’s Karate in Kingsland, despite the district attorney’s opinion that “sufficient evidence” exists linking him to numerous acts of child molestation over more than a decade.
In a March 6 letter from her office to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, district attorney Jackie Johnson says that the state is barred from pursuing charges on incidents that occurred between 1988 and 2001 in Camden County because the statute of limitations has expired.
According to Johnson’s letter, if the statute of limitations had not expired, Johnson would have taken the evidence to a grand jury, which would then have had to choose whether to indict Peeples. If he had been indicted, he would still have a right to a jury trial, during which it would be the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The expiration of the statute of limitations is an absolute bar to prosecution,” Johnson says in her letter. “As such, my office is unable to proceed to grand jury on these allegations.”
Based upon witness interviews, Johnson’s letter states, “multiple acts of sodomy, aggravated sodomy, child molestation, aggravated child molestation and sexual battery occurred with students of Pak’s Karate beginning as early as 1988 and continuing up until 2001.”
The letter contains allegations from six former students, their identities withheld, regarding abuse that they say occurred at Peeples’ Camden residence and at Pak’s Karate in Kingsland. Some allege that abuse also occurred out of state and out of country when they traveled with Peeples to various karate tournaments, according to the letter.
Peeples responds
In an 800-word written statement to the Tribune & Georgian, Peeples calls the accusations “hateful and slanderous remarks” that are “absolutely false.”
“There is no shred of evidence other than those false statements,” he wrote. “These allegations are perpetrated by misguided people with an agenda to hurt me, my family and the Pak’s Karate organization…
“I did not commit the allegations that were made against me by a group of men with an agenda of financial and personal destruction.”
His full statement has been published in today’s edition on page 5A as a letter to the editor.
Alleged victims speak
Three of the six alleged victims – Justin Conway, Christopher Brazell and Steven Tann – spoke to the Tribune & Georgian Wednesday and refuted Peeples’ claims that they lied, saying they spoke up about the abuse to protect other children.
“I’m not planning to open a karate school. I don’t want any of Craig’s money. The only reason I came out and I did tell the GBI is for the safety of the children here in Camden County,” said Tann, who resigned as an instructor from the school last year.
“There is a real concern for the safety of the children at Pak’s Karate and I never want anyone to have to go through what I have had to go through,” Conway said. “… I think it’s disappointing that the statute of limitations means for us that we will never see justice (but) the most important thing is that no other children get hurt.”
Brazell echoed Tann and Conway’s comments, saying that he also spoke out “so the opportunity is not there for him.”
“It’s not about anybody else but protecting children,” Conway said. “Nobody deserves this and nobody should have to endure this. … Bottom line is nobody wants to come forward and tell the truth that these things happened to you. This is about the safety of children and them not having to endure a lifelong sentence that was forced upon us. We were kids.”
Brazell and Conway both said that they have not had contact with a majority of the other victims for more than a decade until the investigation began.
The justice system has failed the six victims and continues to fail by not protecting other karate students, Conway said, adding that the victims have received some backlash in the community.
“It’s hurtful,” Conway said. “But the right thing isn’t the easy thing.”
Tann and Brazell both said they were thankful that the DA’s letter was so explicitly worded.
“I appreciate her coming out with that letter, so people will know the truth,” Tann said.
“Absolutely,” Brazell added. “She went out on a limb to do what she knows in her heart is right.”
Peeples’ statement to the Tribune & Georgian emphasized that the DA’s letter is not a finding of guilt and does not consider any evidence that is favorable to the accused.
Peeples returns to teach
GBI opened the investigation into allegations against Peeples in October 2013. Peeples voluntarily stepped down from his position at the Kingsland school but returned to teaching earlier this year. In addition to karate lessons, the business also offers an after-school program as well as summer camps.
In 2012, he was honored by the Brunswick chapter of The Links as a Man of Distinction for his and his business’s contributions to the community.
According to his nomination information, which was published in the Tribune & Georgian, Peeples impacts his students’ lives by encouraging them to “develop themselves in a positive manner and avoid anything that will harm them or others mentally or physically.”
The nomination also states that Peeples has made a difference in the Camden community by providing a safe place for children to go after school.
“He has won countless awards and has well represented the communities in which he serves,” according to his nomination.
According to information posted last year on the Pak’s Karate website, Peeples is a seventh-degree black belt who began training in 1979. He started teaching when he was 13 years old and partnered with another black belt at 15 to open the Kingsland karate school in 1985. Eventually, he opened or acquired karate schools in Folkston, Fernandina Beach, Fla., Brunswick and Waycross.
“Master Peeples has traveled all over the United States, to Korea, England, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica either for tournaments, training or demonstrations,” the site stated.
New developments
At the end of her letter, Johnson requests that the GBI alert her office if the agency receives any additional information pertaining to the investigation.
“… the Legislature has recognized the fact that many child victims do not come forward to report the abuse until years after its occurrence and thus removed any statute of limitations for certain crimes involving sexual abuse of children occurring after July 1, 2012. Consequently, any new evidence or witnesses coming forward could potentially affect our ability to proceed with criminal charges in this case,” the letter states.
Meanwhile, State Rep. Jason Spencer has planned a press conference today in the Capitol Building Rotunda in Atlanta with the alleged victims and their attorney, Marci Hamilton. According to a release issued March 11, she is a leading expert on statute of limitations for child sex abuse.
Spencer, a member of the House Juvenile Justice Committee, introduced a bill in the current session to expand the statute in civil cases, but it died in committee before a vote could be taken. He says he plans to reintroduce the bill in the next session.
“I want to make the public aware of the latest sex abuse victims who have been shut out of Georgia’s courts. Children are at risk,” said Spencer (R-Woodbine). “The district attorney’s office recently released a report about … a local karate instructor who is still teaching children. According to her report, there is sufficient grounds for prosecution. However, these victims may not file criminal charges or file a civil case because of Georgia’s unfair statute of limitations for child sex abuse. We cannot let this continue to happen to our children.”
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Sex Abuse Facts for Families (March 2011)
/in prevalence, Resources /by SOL ReformNo. 9; Updated March 2011
View as PDF
Child sexual abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater, because the children are afraid to tell anyone what has happened, and the legal procedure for validating an episode is difficult. The problem should be identified, the abuse stopped, and the child should receive professional help. The long-term emotional and psychological damage of sexual abuse can be devastating to the child.
Child sexual abuse can take place within the family, by a parent, step-parent, sibling or other relative; or outside the home, for example, by a friend, neighbor, child care person, teacher, or stranger. When sexual abuse has occurred, a child can develop a variety of distressing feelings, thoughts and behaviors.
No child is psychologically prepared to cope with repeated sexual stimulation. Even a two or three year old, who cannot know the sexual activity is wrong, will develop problems resulting from the inability to cope with the overstimulation.
The child of five or older who knows and cares for the abuser becomes trapped between affection or loyalty for the person, and the sense that the sexual activities are terribly wrong. If the child tries to break away from the sexual relationship, the abuser may threaten the child with violence or loss of love. When sexual abuse occurs within the family, the child may fear the anger, jealousy or shame of other family members, or be afraid the family will break up if the secret is told.
A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults, and can become suicidal.
Some children who have been sexually abused have difficulty relating to others except on sexual terms. Some sexually abused children become child abusers or prostitutes, or have other serious problems when they reach adulthood.
Often there are no obvious external signs of child sexual abuse. Some signs can only be detected on physical exam by a physician.
Sexually abused children may also develop the following:
Child sexual abusers can make the child extremely fearful of telling, and only when a special effort has helped the child to feel safe, can the child talk freely. If a child says that he or she has been molested, parents should try to remain calm and reassure the child that what happened was not their fault. Parents should seek a medical examination and psychiatric consultation.
Parents can prevent or lessen the chance of sexual abuse by:
Sexually abused children and their families need immediate professional evaluation and treatment. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can help abused children regain a sense of self-esteem, cope with feelings of guilt about the abuse, and begin the process of overcoming the trauma. Such treatment can help reduce the risk that the child will develop serious problems as an adult.
For additional information see Facts for Families:
#4 The Depressed Child
#5 Child Abuse
#10 Teen Suicide
#28 Responding to Child Sexual Abuse
#62 Talking to Your Kids about Sex
#73 Self-Injury in Adolescents
#00 Definition of a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
View as PDF
Source: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Utah child sexual abuse prevention training and instruction in public schools bill passes house
/in Utah /by SOL ReformSecond Substitute H.B. 286
This document includes House Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Feb 27, 2014 at 12:34 PM by lerror. –> This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 11:14 AM by lpoole. –> This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Mar 12, 2014 at 11:53 AM by lpoole. –>
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill enacts provisions relating to child sexual abuse prevention training and
10 instruction in public schools.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . adopts certain recommendations of Illinois’s Erin’s Law Task Force;
14 . requires the State Board of Education, in partnership with H. [ certain entities ] the
14a Department of Human Services .H , to
15 approve instructional materials for child sexual abuse prevention and awareness
16 training and instruction;
17 . requires a school district or charter school to use the instructional materials
18 approved by the State Board of Education to provide child sexual abuse prevention
19 and awareness training and instruction to:
20 . school personnel; and
21 . the parents or guardians of elementary school students;
22 . provides that a school district or charter school may provide child sexual abuse
23 prevention and awareness instruction to elementary school students subject to
24 certain requirements; and
25 . requires the State Board of Education to report to the Education Interim Committee.
26 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
27 None
28 Other Special Clauses:
29 None
30 Utah Code Sections Affected:
31 ENACTS:
32 53A-13-112 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
33
34 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
35 Section 1. Section 53A-13-112 is enacted to read:
36 53A-13-112. Child sexual abuse prevention.
37 (1) As used in this section, “school personnel” is as defined in 53A-11-605 .
38 (2) On or before July 1, 2015, the State Board of Education shall approve, in
39 partnership with the Department of Human Services H. [ and nonprofit organizations specializing in
40 child sexual abuse prevention ] .H , age-appropriate instructional materials for the training and
41 instruction described in Subsections (3)(a) and (4).
42 (3) (a) Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, a school district or charter school shall
43 provide training and instruction on child sexual abuse prevention and awareness to:
44 (i) school personnel in elementary and secondary schools on:
45 (A) responding to a disclosure of child sexual abuse in a supportive, appropriate
46 manner; and
47 (B) the mandatory reporting requirements described in Sections 53A-6-502 and
48 62A-4a-403 ; and
49 (ii) parents or guardians of elementary school students on:
50 (A) recognizing warning signs of a child who is being sexually abused; and
51 (B) effective, age-appropriate methods for discussing the topic of child sexual abuse
52 with a child.
53 (b) A school district or charter school shall use the instructional materials approved by
54 the State Board of Education under Subsection (2) to provide the training and instruction to
55 school personnel and parents or guardians under Subsection (3)(a).
56 (4) (a) In accordance with Subsections (4)(b) and (5), a school district or charter school
57 may provide instruction on child sexual abuse prevention and awareness to elementary school
58 students using age-appropriate curriculum.
59 (b) Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, a school district or charter school that
60 provides the instruction described in Subsection (4)(a) shall use the instructional materials
61 approved by the board under Subsection (2) to provide the instruction.
62 (5) (a) An elementary school student may not be given the instruction described in
63 Subsection (4) unless the parent or guardian of the student is:
64 (i) notified in advance of the:
65 (A) instruction and the content of the instruction; and
66 (B) parent or guardian’s right to have the student excused from the instruction;
67 (ii) given an opportunity to review the instructional materials before the instruction
68 occurs; and
69 (iii) allowed to be present when the instruction is delivered.
70 (b) Upon the written request of the parent or guardian of an elementary school student,
71 the student shall be excused from the instruction described in Subsection (4).
71a S. (c) Participation of a student requires compliance with Sections 53A-13-301 and
71b 53A-13-302. .S
72 (6) A school district or charter school may H. [ :
73 (a) ] .H determine the mode of delivery for the training and instruction described in
74 Subsections (3) and (4) H. [ ; and
75 (b) partner with a nonprofit organization to provide the training and instruction ] .H .
76 (7) (a) The State Board of Education shall report to the Education Interim Committee
77 on the progress of the provisions of this section by the committee’s November 2017 meeting.
78 (b) Upon request of the State Board of Education, a school district or charter school
79 shall provide to the State Board of Education information that is necessary for the report
80 required under Subsection (7)(a).
GA Alert for SOL reform
/in Georgia /by SOL ReformGeorgia lawmaker urging reform on child sexual abuse laws
ATLANTA, Ga. (WTXL) – A Georgia Representative is urging fellow legislators to increase justice for abuse victims. Representative Jason Spencer of Woodbine is holding a press conference on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Georgia State Capitol.
ReP. Spencer is looking for support to enact a statute of limitations reform for child sex abuse victims in next year’s legislative session. In addition, he’s expected to lay out a plan to increase justice for all of Georgia victims of child sexual abuse.
This comes after the District Attorney’s Office released a report about sex abuse by a karate instructor who is still teaching children. The report finds there’s significant grounds for prosecution, however the victims may not file criminal charge or file a civil case because of Georgia’s statute of limitations for child sex abuse.
Lawsuit by former Kamehameha students alleges decades of sex abuse
/in Hawaii, Hawaii Window /by SOL ReformFormer Kamehameha Schools students have stepped forward saying they were sexually abused while they attended the school. Their claims were outlined in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in State Circuit Court by their attorney, Michael Green.
Green says for now, he is representing eight men who all say they were sexually abused and molested at the hands of Dr. Robert McCormick Browne, a psychiatrist who Green says worked for Kamehameha Schools and conducted so-called therapy sessions on the students, falling within a 21-year period from 1958-1981. Green says, at the time, Browne was the Chief of Psychiatry at St. Francis Medical Center and the boys were all younger than 16 years old.
“Many of them had minor problems at Kamehameha Schools when they were young, from 7th grade and 8th grade, and they were referred to Dr. Brown,” said Green. “If they did not see Dr. Brown, the threat was (they would) get expelled.”
Green says Dr. Browne died in 1991. According to the lawsuit, the so-called therapy sessions took place at the doctor’s home in Manoa along with a vacation home in Kamuela during weekend sleepovers. Green says the doctor was a dorm adviser and was given access to students at their dorm rooms. Green says the victims also allege the sessions took place at the doctor’s office at St. Francis.
The lawsuit comes just as the statute of limitations on the filing of child sex and molestation cases is set to expire next month, a deadline that was set two years ago by the state legislature. But there is a move to grant yet another extension for those who are willing to come forward and file suit. KHON2 obtained a copy of Senate Bill 2687, a measure that would extend the statute of limitations even further. If this measure becomes law, complainants who allege child sexual abuse will get to file civil suits up until they turn the age of 55.
State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro introduced the bill and also won approval for the two-year extension that expires next month. As for the age of 55, Sen Shimabukuro said, “It’s a way to strike a compromise between the rights of the accused and the rights of the victims.”
The Senate bill has crossed over to the House and a hearing on the measure is scheduled before the Committee on Human Services on Thursday.
Kamehameha Schools says these are serious allegations and will not comment until after it has seen the lawsuit.
St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii says it will also not comment until after it has been served with the complaint.
Read SB 2687 in its entirety here.