Child Abuse Awareness from Fairfax County Police

CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS By Det. Rich Mullins & Det. Nicole Christian

FCPD – Child Abuse Squad
7 Detectives assigned (previously 6), & 1 Lieutenant supervisor
5 cases monthly per Detective (on average)
Physical & Sexual Abuse
Co-Investigate with CPS in caretaker cases

Why 7 Detectives? Why 35 cases per month?

FACT
1 in 3 girls will have sexual contact with an adult
1 in 6 boys

FACT
The most common age at which sexual abuse begins is 3

FACT
The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that on average, there is 1 child molester per square mile

FACT
The average child molester victimizes between 30 and 60 children before they are ever arrested

MYTH
All child molesters are pedophiles

MYTH, Continued
Pedophilia is a clinical diagnosis
“The act or fantasy on the part of an adult of engaging in sexual activity with a child or children”
“Sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object”

MYTH, Continued
Not all child molesters are pedophiles, and not all pedophiles are child molesters
A person may fantasize about, or prefer to have sex with children. Until they act on it, there is no crime.
A person may not prefer children, but will act out sexually if opportunity presents itself – “Crime of Opportunity.”

MYTH
Strangers are the biggest threat to our children (Stranger = Danger)

FACT
Nearly 90% of sexual abuse is committed by someone the children know, NOT by strangers

FACT, Continued
Nearly 90% of sexual abuse is committed by someone the children know, NOT by strangers
It is most often a family member
Adolescents are the offender in about 20% of the cases

Myth, Continued
The #1 concern by most parents regarding their children?

Myth, Continued
The #1 concern by most parents regarding their children?
KIDNAPPING

FACT
Nationwide, fewer than 100 children per year are provably kidnapped by strangers

FACT, Continued
A child is more likely to have a heart attack, or

FACT, Continued
A child is more likely to have a heart attack, or
250 times more likely to be shot with a gun
(LOCK UP YOUR GUNS!!!)

Recognizing Sexual Abuse
Physical Indicators
Sexually Transmitted Disease

Physical Indicators
Pregnancy

Physical Indicators
Pregnancy
Difficulty walking or sitting

Physical Indicators
Pregnancy
Pain or itching in genital area

Physical Indicators
Pregnancy
Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

Physical Indicators
Pregnancy
Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
Bruises/bleeding in external genitalia

Behavioral Indicators
Reports sexual abuse

Highly sexualized play

Detailed, age inappropriate understanding of sexual behavior

Role reversal, overly concerned for siblings

Exhibits delinquent behavior

May attempt suicide or other destructive behavior

Eating or sleep disorder

Deterioration in academic performance

Deterioration in academic performance
Regressed behavior

Reducing the Risk of Sexual Abuse
Teach your kids not to keep bad secrets from you
When they hear “Don’t tell” it should = “TELL!”

Teach your kids not to keep bad secrets from you
When they hear “Don’t tell” it should = “TELL!”
Tell your kids you are strong enough to hear about any experience they’ve had, no matter how unpleasant AND regardless of any threats made

Teach your kids not to let anyone touch their private parts

Teach your child how to honor their feelings
If someone makes them feel uncomfortable
That it’s okay to rebuff and defy adults; it’s okay to say “NO”
Don’t make them hug and kiss friends or relatives if they don’t want to (it teaches them they have to hug and kiss if an adult says so)

Know where your child is and what they are doing
Be careful of any adult (or older kid) who wants to have your child as a “special friend” and who tries to spend time alone with them.
Recognize “grooming” – the gradual breaking down of barriers with your child to lower their inhibitions and to achieve the ultimate goal of sexually abusing your child.
Grooming begins with parents, to gain access to the child.

Listen to your kids
Your children may try to tell you about sexual abuse by giving hints
About “games” they don’t like
That someone “bothers” them
Find out more – ask, but…
Avoid leading questions
Remain calm; don’t panic
If you lose your composure, your child may shutdown - either because they have upset you, or because they feel like they are in trouble

Parent / Caretaker Responsibilities
Believe a child who tells you about a sexual assault!
Reassure them, but don’t make promises like “He’s going to jail for a long time for this.”

Parent / Caretaker Responsibilities
Seek medical attention if needed
Pediatrician is a good starting point, but most are not set up to conduct a sexual assault examination
INOVA Fairfax Hospital handles Northern Virginia area
*Even in founded cases, most examinations are normal

Recognizing Physical Abuse
Physical Indicators
Unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, lacerations, or abrasions

Physical Indicators
Multiple injuries in various stages of healing

Physical Indicators
Bruises or welts resembling instrument used – belt, cord, etc

Physical Indicators
Human bite marks

Physical Indicators
Human bite marks
Injuries regularly appearing after absence

Child reports injury by caretaker

Wears clothing inappropriate to weather (to cover body)

Complains of soreness or moves uncomfortably

Complains of soreness or moves uncomfortably
Uncomfortable with physical contact

If you cause injury to your child, you are breaking the law

Never use any object to hit a child (boards, belts, sticks, or switches)

Never hit or slap a child’s face or head

Never hit or slap a child’s face or head
NEVER hit or shake a baby
Babies can be blinded, brain damaged, or killed by shaking

Recognizing Physical Abuse - Shaken Baby Injuries

Reporting Child Abuse
Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline
703 324-7400 (caller may remain anonymous)
Fairfax County Police Non-Emergency #
703 691-2131

Excuses given for not reporting suspected abuse, or not believing when disclosed

CPS will remove the kids

“I can’t prove anything.”

“I can’t prove anything.”
“I’ve known _______ for years; he would never do such a thing.”

Reasons to report suspected abuse

Protect the child, not the abuser!

Children are rarely abused only once

A report makes it possible for a family to get help

A report makes it possible for a family to get help
It’s the law for mandated reporters (medical professionals, teachers, etc) – Virginia Code 63.2-1509

Resources
Protecting the Gift – Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane) by Gavin DeBecker
Parents’ Check List For the Prevention of Child Abuse by Elizabeth D. Drake & Anne E. Gilroy
Recognizing, Reporting and Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect in Virginia – VA DSS Publication

Resources, continued

Contact us at
Det. Nicole Christian
703 246-3793
Det. Rich Mullins
703 246-4378

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Child Abuse Awareness from Fairfax County Police

by Fairfax County on Apr 15, 2010

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Child Abuse Awareness from Fairfax County Police Presentation Transcript