Prevention of child sexual abuse
It is highly likely that you know a child who has been or is being abused
Experts estimate that 1 in 10 children are sexually abused before their 18 th birthday This means that in any classroom, neighborhood, or program serving youth, there are children silently bearing the burden of sexual abuse Darkness to Light (www.d2l.org)
The average lifetime cost per victim of sexual abuse is $210,012 Source: Fang et al. 2012
Why is this an epidemic? Taboo : a ban or an inhibition resulting from social custom or emotional aversion The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
We must evolve this discussion: from Taboo to Acceptable to EXPECTED
Cultural Shift TOOLS PERMISSION
Missouri Task Force Recommendation Private foundations in Missouri should increase funding to prevent and address childhood trauma. MoKidsFirst Final Report 2012
MoKidsFirst Final Report 2012 Task Force Recommendation #1 Community-based child sexual abuse prevention education needs to be expanded and be comprehensive in nature.
Task Force Recommendation #2 All schools and youth-serving organizations should have specific child sexual abuse prevention policies. MoKidsFirst Final Report 2012
The (Missouri) Task Force encourages private donors and foundations in Missouri to recognize child sexual abuse as a significant public health issue and a key driver of disease and dysfunction in our state and to explore creating funding streams that address the factors that cause this violence. MoKidsFirst Final Report 2012
Funders Strategies Require Training for Youth Serving Grantees Simple strategy but HUGE impact Contribute to Community Seed Fund supports community-based prevention initiatives
Together, we can achieve a Tipping point
Together We Will Leave a Lasting Legacy
LEGISLATIVE UP DATE FOR OCTOBER 2014 (Revised) PUBLIC ACTS: PA 30 14 (HB 4893) Takes effect 180 after enacted March 11, 2014 amends the Child Protection Laws / Representative Margaret O Brian ENROLLED BILLS GOVERNOR MUST SIGN IN 14 days TO BECOME LAW: HOUSE BILLS Representative Eileen Kowall: HB 5012 Mandates law enforcement to refer a minor presumed engaging in prostitution is a victim of human trafficking to the Department of Human Services. Representative Kurt Heise: HB 5025 Allows victims of human trafficking to clear their criminal record from crimes committed while forced into human trafficking by their traffickers. HB 5026 Provides a Safe Harbor to minor sex trafficking victims through probate court. HB 5158 Creation of the 15 panel Commission on Human Trafficking with (1) Governor s office, (1) Attorney General or appointee, (1) Director of State Police or appointee, (1) Director of DHS or appointee, (1) Director of Community Health or appointee, (1) Director of Licensing and Regulation or appointee, (2) appointed by governor from list submitted by Senate Majority, (2) appointed by the governor from a list submitted by the Speaker of the House, Appointments by Governor from submitted list from the following interest groups : (1) Circuit Court Judge, (1) Prosecuting Attorney, (1) MI Association of Chiefs of Police and (2) individual human trafficking survivors. Representative Joe Graves: HB 5231 removes gender-specific references in chapter on prostitution. Representative Klint Kesto: HB 5233 includes Human Trafficking crimes in forfeiture laws to remove the profit motive from traffickers. Representative Nancy Jenkins: HB 5234 Updates consolidated and streamline the current penal code provisions regarding Human Trafficking laws. Representative Ed McBroom: HB 5236 updates forfeiture provisions to reflect changes in Human Trafficking laws. Representative Phil Cavanagh: HB 5237 Updates the Crime Victim s Rights Act to include changes in the Human Trafficking Act. Representative Ken Kurtz: HB 5239 Mandatory reporting of human trafficking of a child to child protective services 1
Representative Tom Lenonard: HB 4867Amends sentencing guidelines to prevent criminals who exploit children were a child is the undercover officer from escaping harsher sentence imposed for endangers actual children. Representative George Darany: HB 4021 expands list of intent for kidnaping to include knowingly restraining a minor for the purpose of sexual exploitation. SENATE BILLS Senator Judy Emmons SB 205 increases penalties for criminal soliciting sex from minors. Senator Tonya Schuitmaker: SB 206 Reforms sentencing guidelines to reflect the increased penalties against criminals soliciting sex from minors (Johns) SB 584 extends the statute of limitations for bringing charges traffickers. Senator Mike Nofs: SB 585 provides a Safe Harbor for adult victims (increase 16 to 18 years) crime of prostitution a diversion process. SB also provides a person under 18 found engaging in prostitution-related offenses would be presumed forced into human trafficking Senator Vincent Gregory: SB 587 requires victims to undergo assessment and appropriate counseling services would require minors suspected of being victims of human trafficking. Senator Joe Proos: SB 590 creates the Human Trafficking Victims Compensation Act to 1) establishes liability for a person who commits human trafficking, 2) entitles a victim to damages,3) and requires a claim to be filed within three years of the last human trafficking violation. Senator Joe Proos: SB 592 if eligible, would allow a victim to receive benefits under Medicaid for medical and psychological treatment related to being a victim of human trafficking. Senator Rebekah Warren: SB 593 requires a child in foster care to be placed where the child could receive mental health services, counseling, and other necessary or appropriate services as a human trafficking victim. Senator Rebekah Warren: SB 597 would require standards for licensed and registered health professionals to identify human trafficking victims by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Senator Joe Hume: SB 620 will change the definition of Tier II Sex Offenders to include soliciting prostitution from a minor as well as minor sex trafficking. ====================================================================== 2