Question:
Please help me understand how we encourage our children to come forward with these issues, believe what they say, and try to take action yet the perpatrator is such a vile crime walks free.
Hi Sarah, All may not be lost – depends a lot on where you live. Some areas have poor police investigation but excellent social services to help do investigations. ** spoiler for those upset with the standard peter b warning *** To newcomers whom I post, I warn of my past. 8 yrs ago, I was arrested for sexual molestation of my oldest adopted daughter. I’ve been through, in and around therapy of all sorts. What I did was wrong. I hold myself fully accountable for my actions. I explain this to all the newcomers, I post to, so they aren’t squicked later when they learn of my past. I understand if I upset you. I hope you will try not to judge me by what others say about me but how I post and act within AAR. I prefer not to use e-mail with survivors until many months have passed and it’s ok with the survivor. If you do not want me to post to you or about you within AAR, if you tell me it’ll be no problem. (BTW, like most molestors, I was sexually abused as a child. The abuse I endured as a child does not excuse my actions as an adult.) In Iowa, the initial investigation occurs via DHS (CPS, CFS or whatever your state defines ad Family Services). And the first thing that is done is done in JUVENILE court and does not necessarily require police involvement. You should contact the county courthouse and see if their is a children’s advocate on staff. Then talk with him/her and they can direct you to individuals who WILL do something about this. I’m surprised that social services did not get involved first. In Iowa, the police and social services tend to work together very well and the conviction rate here is quite high. some do slip through but very few. Also, the conviction rate is helped by the fact that a confession gets the offender an opportunity to trade LONG jail time for probation if they submit to mandatory Sexual Abuse Treatment Programs. This aids the courts and it puts the convicted offender in treatment and on a nationwide Child Abuse Registry so repeat offenses can be tracked. If you have any further questions, please ask. I hope you find help for your son as well. Peter B
Response:
-Even though the invesitgation was not botched as far as they were -concerned they never even went as far as the cops and they said that even -though it was inappropriate touch it wasnt sexual abuse!! -it was only touching inside his underwear on his penis when he was asleep. -and putting his finger in his butt and touching his "breasts". I am shocked that this was not considered abuse. I am very sorry about your situation. It makes me very sad, and very angry. — Peace… Val
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.