Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-07-05, Page 11THE 'HURON tEX4aOSITOR, JULY'S, 1$89 — 1 IA a LL ' ?`BYaMONAI1tWJN I0stsparentstoday findat verreasytto ti.wm7s hili irtlr'7i dren:agalnst tiildngmanily 'entities Irorna'strangers. ' But+evldeneeindlcates:thatipreventing .a'child'from becoming a -molester's vita tim isn't 'that ,easy. -Because in the vast.snajority of cases, theemolester is someonethe child' knows. And the:highestincidences of'child -sex- ural abuse areperpetrated by one of the two people:the child knows best. ".All our experience suggests that the person most .apt to abuse a child is the natural :father, sad as that is," said Lt. Jack Shepherd. He was one of 'three speakers at the second annual seminar on the investigation and prosecution of child abuse, held Thursday at Bluewater Youth Centre. Shepherd, who has served with the Michigan State Police since 1973, is com- manding officer of the Investigative Sup - .port Section of the Michigan Department of State Police. "We want to believe that most often it's a stepfather, live-in boyfriend or 'Significant Other," he told the more than 200 people who attended the seminar, However, while sexual abuse perpetrators are 'overwhelmingly male," Shepherd advised the audience not to "discount" female offenders. "Generally (female offenders) fall into two groups," he said. "Those overly religious to the point of fanaticism, and the overly seductive types. But the one component that holds true for all female (offenders) is that they were all sexual- ly abused themselves." He added that :investigators often -see "several layers" of abuse in one family. This could mean that the child has been abused by more than one member of the family, or that the practice of sexual abuse has been in the family for several generations, or both. Shepherd explained why children childrules lbecome>uletlmslof-.sexual abuse, and why Alieeeedorrt''report it. .'.igitilifren Padre "ideal victims" for several 'reasons, the»said. Amongtthem: • Children are "naturally curious, and They're easily led by' adults — at 'eastern "they're ,teens," 'he said, drawing laughter. "Then you've got a different problem." JACK SHEPHERD • Children also need attention and affec- tion, and some need more than .others. "That's like a beacon, a light over their little heads, to a child molester," said Shepherd. • They make poor witnesses. Children younger than five years "generally tend to make bad witnesses across the board," he said. "Prosecuting attorneys often hate going to court with them. Defense lawyers have a field day with them. "Defense attorneys are there to destroy your case," added Shepherd, echoing Detroit prosecutor Paul Bruno, another speaker at the seminar. "They're not there specifically to prove their client's innocence." r and the victim • Children -are -taught to respect, and obey -adults, and 'not to he -tattletales. • Children -erre .taught to be+seen and not 'heard, and--.parents-emphasize this lesson 'frequently'by not 'really listening: to what their children are 'saying, Shepherd:sake "When we're ,working on ,an outeif- home assault ease, the parents say 'Why didn't they tell us?' But when we talk to the children, they say 'We tried to tell."' But children "tell" in their own may, and it's usually indirect. If the abuse happens at a place the child regularly goes to, the child may constantly com- plain of stomach aches whenever it's time to leave — and parents usually don't probe. Some children will never' be victims, at least of out -of -home assaults, said Shepherd, and the reason is that the "seen and not heard" lesson isn't taught in their homes. "They have open communication with their parents," he said. "They can talk about anything, and the parents listen." A child's reasons for not bluntly repor- ting abuse are also numerous, said Shepherd. First and foremost is the em- barrassment it will cause them. "How many of you would volunteer to come forward and tell the rest of us about your last sexual experience?" he asked with a grin. As ripples of embarrassed laughter spread through the audience, he added "No takers? But what is it we're asking (molested) children to do? The very same thing. "We must find a way through this, or we'll have more victims who suffer in silence. I know there are some in this au- dience who have been sexually abused and have never come forward about it — probably because of the embarrassment, and because when it happened there' was no network to say 'It's OK to talk about it."' Children also fear being blamed for the Inca ='as =cl repori.s result of mor BY MONA IRWIf l The increasing number of reports of child abuse in Huron County are the result of "more community awareness," says a community child abuse coordinator. Mary Sehl, who works with the Com- munity Child Abuse Coordinating Com- mittee, said giving child abuse -- physical, sexual and emotional — a higher profile has made it acceptable talk about it. In turn, this has encourag- ed both the public — including the child victims themselves — and professionals to come forward and report suspected incidents of child abuse. "Every time we have a seminar like this it puts child abuse in the forefront of peoples' concern," said Sehl, referr- ing to the second annual seminar on the investigation and prosecution of child ueens Park: abuse held Thursday at Bluewater Centre. "And children start to realize they're not the only ones this is happening to," she added. Exact figures were not available, but evidence indicates that the number of reports of child abuse have gone from •34 in 1980 to 54 in 1987 to 60 in 1988. Statistics for 1989 are not yet available. (The CCACC. was established in 1987, but reports of suspected :hild abuse have always gone to the Family and Children's Services.) Both, this seminar and the one held last year are part of the CCACC's man- date involving 'public education and prevention. "They're aimed at increasing awareness among professionals," she said. "And looking at them in that light, they've both been successful." Roth seminars were well -attended, Huron County's coordinated response to .child abuse "was an excellent exam- ple of community efforts to try to help with the problem of child abuse", accor- ding, to the recent Throne Speech debate, delivered to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Hon. Cindy Nicholas, MPP (Scarborough -Centre) spoke about the Huron County Community Child Abuse Coordinating Committee's work, follow- ing her attendance as guest speaker at „the committee's Teddy Bear Dream Auction and Raffle on May 13. 'The following is an excerpt from the .Hansard Official Report of Debates: "I had the opportunity this past weekend to attend an event put on by the Huron County Community Child Abuse Coordinating Committee. They .had a Teddy Bear Dream Auction and Raffle. It was to raise money for their group. "Here was an excellent example of -community efforts to try to help with the:problem of child abuse that is going ;on in many homes ,across Ontario. "The unique thing this committee does is that it has puppet presentations 'that go to schools and talk about child abuse. "Apparently,'tight after some of these puppet presentations, the children then disclose that they .have been ;abused 'by their .parents. They tell these puppets .more ,than they would tell adults, because they are intimidated to tell adults, so it has .been a very 'effective program. "They :provide information about tposltive .;parenting to ,parents.and they -try 'to ,increase the level 'of sexpertise and coordination ,of the local 'people •in dealingwith child abuse, diagnose 'it <and be of ,some assistance -ni preventing 'it. "I ,think .our knowledge ,of child abuse .has changed ,dramatically over the last few decades. I ,think many ;people felt that 1f you had a socioeconimic ,base :as ,to whether you were a' -child abuser ,or not, it :could ,not ;happen :f n Crich ,homes; it could only :in ,poor families. "Now .we .realize that chlid abuse can occur 'at, Ball levels .1of, socioeconomnic ;pro- sperity,tand I think•that;is,,an 'important first.catep :.we :did. +'The;.',second ;ls :that it :is ,out not ;the 'oloset iWe:recpgnize it';does•coecur. tis do ;the .open. We see it in ,zyur IneweRapers And ,ton .,television, ,;olid that was,•eomethl ng,ethat:,did,not;rhiippen:-even a,;decade.,,alio. "I think„sometimes ,gknow ., g 'that there Kis< a ,'prgbllem ,is :a ib{g first Altgroforw,ardxm wing atotprevent:flature :Abuse. "`•The tAtatitMes :„we are nhearlug are 'Y,07 ._1n,sopae/Ane .teeery,rfjVe Ilbaten n tnlled,ACtil 'iC d wts hbeing dfdiili;iGltedaIta1- ,1y+tabused:sor goglected. '6 •'i reness said Sehl, and many of the people who attended the first seminar returned for the second. "That suggests they're getting a lot out of (the seminars), and it also sug- gests the agencies they work for sup- port what we're doing," she said. No new issues have come out of the seminars, but "they (the seminars) pro- vide training and skills for people who might not get such training otherwise," said Sehl. For example, both seminars "really stressed" investigative skills, and that's something that's a major component when looking into reported cases of abuse, she said. In some communities such seminars might suggest a need for better coor- dinated services, but "in Huron County we're already doing ;that through the CCACC." uron an ' exce len example®® "I think we will all agree that this is a tragedy, that we have to break this cycle of violence, that we have to deal with it, that we have to rehabilitate abusers so that abusers do not continue to abuse. More important, it has been suggested that we stop this cycle of violence that is occurring in families and that we provide the necessary pro- grams to prevent it. 'I think the example of the Huron County Child Abuse Coordinating Com- mittee is an excellent one of how volunteers and the community at large sexual abuse, and along with that comes fear of punishment. "How many children who take cookies from -the cookie jar, or -who break a dish, come forward and say 'I did it'?" 'he said. They have a terrible fear .of being labelled, especially young boys assaulted by men. COURTS NOT 'USER-FRIENDLY' Children don't -know much about the court system, but despite that — or maybe because of it — the system is frightening. 'It's scary for adults; it's even worse for children," Shepherd said. "I don't know about here, but-1'in the U.S., courts are not 'user-friendly.' Why do the judges have to wear long 'bleak robes? Why do they have to sit on rais- ed benches, higher than the children? Why do the children have to sit on a high bench and have the family of the accus- ed glare them down?" There may have been implied or actual threats made during the assault. Children feel guilty about the assault; they worry that nobody will believe them, especial- ly if a family member was involved; they may be too ignorant or too innocent to understand that what was done was wrong, especially if the assault was non-violent. And they may feel a strong allegiance to the offender. In out -of -home situations, the offender makes it a point to "build a strong bond" with the child, said Shepherd. "So the child doesn't see it as an offender being arrested; he sees his best friend being arrested." When interviewing children who have been sexually assaulted, take note of the child's personality, he added. "If you've got a child who bursts into tears at every second question, your questions must be very, very gentle." While statistics indicate that girls are molested more often than boys, "it's more of a 50/50 split," Shepherd said. The reason for the discrepancy is that it's still more acceptable for girls to ad- mit to being molested, "There's a lot of victimization going on out there because of the way we raise lit- tle boys," he said. "In the States, we call it the 'John Wayne Syndrome."' iChetrItid '1s''MellnSt. Saforth 7_114ti -Service ' Selection 'e Savings 'D Satisfaction Leasing -Complete 'SbDY SHOP Service 4 Os STAffEN ENTERPRISE We Do AIB Phases of Interior and Exterior Work 'Renovations •Home Maintenance *Additions •New construction ROOFING *FENCES 'DECKS Business 5-27-2553 Horne 527-0348 If you wish to secure o lifetime income from oro RRSP or are interested in other RRSP in- vestments at very competitive rates, call Ar•noI ! J. St nnossen 527-0410 Tony Arts 527-0794 Income from an RRSP is no longer restricted to the minimum age of 60. Thank Yo would like to take this oppor- tunity to sincerely thank everyone for their support at the polls. will endeavour to represent the Township of Tuckersmith and the Village of Hensall on the 1-luron County Board of Education to the best of my ability. can assist in trying to prevent child abuse.” The 23 -member multidisciplinary com- mittee coordinates professional and community response to child abuse. The CCACC provides educational workshops to service providers and it raises public awareness about child abuse and paren- ting issues. Its projects include the Kids on the Block child abuse prevention program, and a parenting information package available through hospital obstretics units. ALLAN CARTER Pubhc School supporters of Tuckersmith and HensalL II wis :6 to thank all the people that voted on June 26 and speeeiaJi thanks to the people that voted for me, it will be remembered for :1 long time. ew Public Holiday The Employment Standards Act•has been amended. Beginning in 1989, December 26th (Boxing Day) becomes a publicholiday. TO'NSEND FARM .SUPPLY - WALTON — 887-9044 Purina .Livestock Chows A Supplies Health-Products.6•Pet Foods :Summer Shos izr; t`. i:L its Ss, tr)a,l,s New Min :# .um Wages • The following new general minimum; wage rates (exclud- ing harvest workers) take -effect at the beginning of the work week in which October 1st;.1989 occurs: -WOMEN'S SUMMER DRESS SHOES NOW IN FULL SWING: OUR'll;OMPLETE.STQCK'OF SUMMER1OOTWEAR REDUCED by Naturohxa,. McNlece Rollecbane. Wesbas Rog. to '69.95 SALE $399B 0 .ed - 19 X4499 °.4999 AtAN'S :SANDALS & SANVAS CASUALS also CNIWPAN'S SANDALS 4 DRESS SHOES ®0 -WOMEN'S -:SHOES .SANDALS .tea WOMAN'S CASUAL ;SANDALS TO "Tr AVOMSMS FASHION FLATS AND HIRACHIES br-Faurmn . Westin. SALE 1 1 ,999 a 14999 OFF '3 WOMEN'S Romlka & Rhode SANDALS ,8.'C LOG S % Off Es'aiorite of Stock until July 8th, 1989. .WOMEN'S ,Canvas;Slip ora.. & .Ties by Keutcwa, OrCNhopeer end ,X ,,LeJootd°. A trete', SALE 1'lg99>° 0:9 .MAN'S ' .SUMMER SANDALS S :& 'CANVAS ;SHOES A 1 GENERAL (including lgmestics) General (hourly) Students under 18 (hourly) Liquor servers (hourly) Hunting/fishingguides (half-day) Hunting/fishing guides (day) $ 5.00 $ 4.15 $ 4.50 $25.00 e $50.00 The following new minimum wage rates for fruit, vegetable and tobacco harvesters will go into effect on January list, 1990. Adults $ 5.00 Students under 18 $ 4.15 Maximum room and meal values in calculating the mini- mum.wage (applicable tos,general .workers,at the,begin- ning oflthe,work.week in.whieh ctober1st,1989 occurs, and to harvest workers, January lst,•1990). LE • e4',if 99 99 at )� ,fllP,lilkssr-gumu e len, sesoenatalleaS Featuring NIKf,9NAItK ° °0 eursiaMANQMK {!A9?° lasp. �I0.r1o;Pd. P.hon.: OFINORI' u eii ,�i l� ..�aoaai ,ktt•p.tlao_` Jotedvortiood i rOM$PP,ir»ts" ori Slvrorno boli • t Room—private (weekly) — non private (weekly) $23.10 $11.55 Meals— (each) $ 1.90 — (weekly) $39:90 Room ,:and meals .(weekly) —,with private room •$83:00 —,with non -private lodging '$51.45 Housing (weekly) for harvest. workers only — serviced $72.50 unserviced $52.50 n;. Ministry-pfL bQia'r C)Ontarit -oregorrAorLiarao ivliniAter