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When Information, Access, and Reporting Goes Too Far

April 23, 2024

In the United States, since 1983 Child Abuse Prevention Month is annually observed by presidential proclamation throughout the month of April. It is a critical time to raise awareness of our nation’s child abuse crisis. The statistics remain overwhelmingly alarming that one in four girls — and one in six boys — will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Most victims suffer in silence as it is estimated that more than 90 percent of abuse victims never report what happened to them. Even more disturbing is that more than 90 percent of perpetrators are someone an abused child knows and trusts – a coach, camp counselor, teacher, someone in their faith community, or a family member.

This month child safety advocates across the state and nation are urging communities to come together to make a difference, often to encourage parents, caregivers, and community members to have wider conversations about the issues, talk with children about body and online safety, and how to ask for help if something happens. This year is no different, however, we would like to call forward another important issue.

Just two years after the annual recognition of child abuse prevention month, the first Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) was established in Huntsville Alabama.  For nearly 40 years CACs have worked to improve investigations and healthy outcomes for children. A major focus of the work of CACs is to reduce the re-traumatization of children by minimizing repeated interviews detailing the intimate and graphic details of their abuse. We strive to ensure that when a child has discussed what has happened to them, that unless it is critically necessary or for purposes of prosecution, if a child chooses not to talk about their trauma again, they won’t have to. For when we think about our darkest memories and experiences, we tend to relive them viscerally. However, there is an increasing issue in our society where at times victims must relive their trauma and experiences further in a very public way.

As public interest of major incidents of child sexual abuse and exploitation has grown over the years, so has the reporting around it. Unfortunately, the rush to be first for reporting cases involving child sexual abuse has taken priority over the important questions about what information is being reported, and whether it serves the public interest for safety. We have seen a dramatic increase in print, televised, and social media reporting on active cases of child sexual abuse which goes far beyond the scope of public’s need-to-know. This has included intimate details of sexual abuse and assault, children’s statements in police reports, and the over-describing of the relationship between alleged perpetrators and victims. We have seen cases where photographs of children who may have been victims in cases of family violence have been pulled from private social media accounts and rebroadcasted. What’s more, there have been instances where information included in reports which identified the victims through association or unnecessary ancillary details.  Worst of all, reporting which portrays victims in the light they are at fault and/or undermines the credibility of a child.

At best, this is the result of a lack of understanding of best practices in reporting and the critical importance of not identifying victims of sexual crimes (especially children.) At worst, and at the crux of the issue, we are placing a child’s most devastating trauma on full display for shock value. Through digital media, social media, and the increased speed at which anyone can access information, not only can child victims be identified in their own community and publicly confronted with their trauma, but victims themselves by being exposed to this reporting will relive their trauma again. The fear that “everyone will find out” is an incredible barrier for victims to come forward for support, and the intense reporting of these cases only adds to this, especially with the venom and vitriol of social media commentary.

There are some who choose to share their stories of abuse, explain how it happened, and the impact it has had on their lives.  They are survivors who have been through the processes of the investigation, potential prosecution, and received supportive services. Most importantly, they have made their own choice about what to share, what not to share, and most often leave out the intimate details of what happened. The type of reporting we have seen nationally has been the opposite of this.

Our fascination with the traumatization of others – abuse, murder, exploitation – through social media, TV shows, and movies has translated into the over-exposure of a victims experience through media reporting. Clicks, views, and media ratings cannot untangle the web of complex trauma, it will only add to it and reduce the possibility that others will come forward.

Culturally, we need to ask how we wish to contribute to the prevention and trauma-informed response to child abuse. Is the solution in reporting the details of what the victim experienced, or in the charges against the alleged perpetrator and a focus on their actions? Is it creating narratives which undermine the credibility and support of victims, or can we educate and inform what charges mean, and what local resources for sexual abuse and assault victims are and how to access them?

We can create a world where children are free of abuse, have a voice that is heard, and where they enjoy healthy, safe, and empowered lives. It’s small, transformative steps such as this which will help us get there.

We are Your Local Resource

We want to ensure that those who have the responsibility to report the news have the opportunity to request and receive training and consultation for best practices. If you would like to learn more about ways to report cases in a trauma-informed fashion, please reach out to Jacob Stapledon, Community Engagement and Education Program Manager by emailing him at jacob.stapledon@childrenscove.org 

There are additional resources for media sources on our website here.

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Sexual Exploitation of Children in Southeastern Massachusetts: The Regional Report for 2023

February 28, 2024

This report, and the data and information included within was written with input and information provided by team members from Children’s Cove; The Cape & Islands Child Advocacy Center, Bristol County Children’s Advocacy Center, and  Plymouth County Children’s Advocacy Center.

Introduction

The Children’s Advocacy Centers for Cape Cod & the Islands, Bristol County, and Plymouth County work collaboratively with every branch of law enforcement and child protective services to provide a coordinated response to the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in our respective regions. Per state regulation, each Child Advocacy Center (CAC) has a response protocol and acts as the hub for cases which may involve a child at risk for, or who is actively being sexually exploited. Each of our centers works together and communicate regularly because, unfortunately, due to the nature of these cases we see children victimized across our county lines. It is because of our unique roles and working relationships we see the trends which impact vulnerable children in our community.

For the last three years, our centers have met to collaborate on a specific goal in January, which is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Each year we look back at the previous year to identify the issues, trends, and information we want the community to know about this critical issue, and work together to identify ways we can try to get ahead of the curve.

This year, our centers collectively served 364 children who were identified as alleged victims of sexual exploitation in our region. This included boys, girls, and transgender/non-binary youth aged from 8 years old to 17 years old. We have also reviewed a concerning trend of the regional increase in identified cases and want to increase awareness within the communities we serve.

This report contains information our organizations believe our communities need to know to work together to create a future where children are free from abuse.

Breaking Down the Issue

Unfortunately, discussions surrounding these issues can quickly become complex. The complexity of our work can create a barrier to understanding these issues.

Simply put, human trafficking “involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. Coercion can be subtle or overt, physical, or psychological.” Exploitation of a minor (someone under the age of 18) for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used. Relevant to our work, Massachusetts state law defines this as Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). CSEC occurs when a person under the age of 18 is offered or given something of value to them in exchange for some type of sexual act. It doesn’t have to be in person, and it doesn’t need to be money for it to be commercial sexual exploitation. Value could be anything to a child, this includes food, clothing, a warm place to sleep, better grades, vapes, alcohol, or other substances, a trip to a salon, or even a ride somewhere.

Another form of sexual exploitation takes place online, which is Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Formerly referred to as to as child pornography, CSAM is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (a person less than 18 years old.) CSAM is much more than photos and videos; it is a form of exploitation and abuse documented and shared across the internet in perpetuity. Every time an image is viewed, shared, paid for, or downloaded, the child is being revictimized and a crime takes place. This is one of the largest issues in our region.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported a 97% increase in cases involving online enticement of children in 2020, and a dramatic increase in cases of sextortion. According to NCMEC, Sextortion “is a form of child sexual exploitation where children are threatened or blackmailed, most often with the possibility of sharing with the public a nude or sexual images of them, by a person who demands additional sexual content, sexual activity or money from the child.” These situations often arise through the means of “catfishing”, pretending to be someone similarly aged, making fake profiles, and sending fake or stolen images to gain trust.

The State of Our Region

Our centers received 364 referrals, it included 289 female identified children, 61 male children and 15 transgender/non-binary identified individuals. The range of ages for children impacted were from 8 years old to 17 years old and the distribution of these cases were that approximately 85.4% of these cases were individuals between 13 years old and 17 years old, and 14.6% were children who were 12 years old and younger.

When we review the numbers from last year, we have noticed a couple of trends. First, we are seeing comparatively similar trends in ages, gender-identity, and types of cases across the region. The majority of those who have been victimized identify as female, however we did see a jump in referrals for transgender and non-binary youth who have been victimized. Second, most cases (more than 95%) included an online element, or were completely perpetrated online. This highlights again for us the immense risk children are in in online environments. Third, most of these children have experienced multiple victimizations and not isolated issues. Fourth, this trend is not getting better, it’s getting worse.

Each of our Child Advocacy Centers have been coordinating the response for cases involving children at-risk or who have been sexually exploited since 2016. As a coalition, we have the opportunity to look at issues from a regional perspective.   With seven years worth of data the trend is clear –cases are increasing steadily.  

Excluding the rate of increase from 2016 to 2017 (an increase of 900%), there has been an average annual increase in referrals for our region of 35%. Cumulatively this is more than 1,800 children who have been referred in our region for suspicions of sexual exploitation. This wider field of view has made our endeavor for a stronger regional collaborative approach more important than ever.

What We Need You to Know

To begin addressing this issue, catch these cases sooner, and engage directly in support for children, we need everyone to be informed and knowledgeable about a few key issues.

Sexual Exploitation is Right Here

While this should seem to be a straightforward note, we cannot underscore that exploitation of children happens right here in our communities. Social media, movies, news media, and documentaries can make these issues seem as though they are taking place far away. They are not. Oftentimes, they begin to take place in the living rooms and bedrooms of our community’s children. For example, a teen goes out to a local youth hotspot, takes a selfie with friends and posts it on their “Snap Map.” This information and photo are public and accessible. A person who may live locally (or not) sees the image, and messages that teen. Sometimes they pose as another teen, or just as themselves. They may use flattering language, send a gift, or just strike up a conversation that compels the teen to respond. In as quickly as 24-48 hours, this teen may have received nude images, an offer of something of value to send their nude images, or even received an invitation to meet in-person. This isn’t a wild scenario; this is something we have seen in real life many times.

Change the Stigma and Distinctions of Exploitation

Because the ways in which children can be sexually exploited are numerous, there are (unfortunately) varying levels of responses from our community. As an example, the response for a child who has made a direct disclosure of sexual assault and exploitation in-person will likely be different than a child who has been forced to send nude images to an unknown person. It can lead to a different mental perception of what a victim of exploitation “looks” like. Additionally, some cases pose such a challenge for investigation (such as exploitation through a live video/stream,) often law enforcement has their hands tied in how much they can do. However, these distinctions should not influence the way we respond to each of these cases. The common factor for all the cases we respond to is risk, and that a child’s future may be impacted. If we look at another common narrative, we need to think about different forms of exploitation as “gateway” exploitation. Let’s look at an example. While we know it is more culturally normal for youth to send nude images now, we have to ask if it is not addressed what could be next? Could they end up sending the nude images for money? Could they be offered more money for more extreme acts? Meeting in person? While this could be seen as a more fear-based example, again, this is an example we have seen many times over.

This is a Community Issue

This is not an issue for one demographic, town, city, or county: it is a wider community issue where you can make a difference. Everyone can do their part to raise awareness and increase prevention of this issue.

• If you are a parent or caregiver, ask your children’s schools, recreational programs / centers, summer camps, and other youth serving organizations if they know how to identify sexual exploitation of children.
• Reach out to your local Children’s Advocacy Center to ask how you can learn more about the issue, request or organize training for your local community, school, non-profit organization, or business.
• If you are concerned that a child is being exploited, report it right away! You can report suspicious behaviors to your local Children’s Advocacy Center, law enforcement agency or file a report with the Department of Children and Families.

What We’re Doing

Each of our centers are working to address the issues on the rise in our communities. We want to give you a snapshot of each initiative we have taken on, and the issue we plan to address over the next year.

Children’s Cove: The Cape & Islands Child Advocacy Center: The team has a strong focus on direct impact for law-enforcement through education and training, community awareness through presentations, and prevention through developing skills for youth and our community. Our Education and Training program as well as our Child Exploitation Program Coordinator are working to provide training and community education to not only our multidisciplinary team (MDT), but community as well. In the coming year our team is focused on providing community-based presentations in schools and to wider audiences, providing professional training to investigative agencies and the local District Attorney’s Office on best practices in recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting these cases, as well as providing an online education training program to regional law enforcement.

Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County: The team is looking to manage risk in a particular population of individuals often overlooked; children who go missing from care. Children who leave their own homes, residential or campus placement are at immediate risk for sexual exploitation and often are solicited for sex within 24-48 hours of their departure. This program seeks to bolster the regional response by coordinating the response to children reporting missing from care to include not only DCF and law enforcement, but the Child Advocacy Center and their team to provide a coordinated response and support system to manage risk for children. This program will also aim to provide training to regional multidisciplinary team partners about effective response to youth missing from care.

Plymouth County Children’s Advocacy Center:Plymouth County continues to provide a survivor informed MDT approach to all their CSEC Referrals, for both at risk and youth experiencing exploitation. The Plymouth County District Attorney’s CSEC MDT Team provides a CSEC response for victims, while working together to hold exploiters accountable. The team continues to develop their CSEC Task Force. Through the community and interagency CSEC Task Force, they receive training on the topics related to interest and trends of Plymouth County. The CSEC Task Force is also working together to collaboratively create awareness materials.  The CSEC Coordinators and Human Trafficking Chief train the community on CSEC and Cyber related topics.  They will also be hosting multiple conferences this year to provide  best practice training from local and national experts to law enforcement, social workers and mental health professionals.

Massachusetts Children’s Alliance: The Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA), as the membership organization of the 12 Children’s Advocacy Centers in Massachusetts, will continue to support the CSEC response through the commonwealth. This will be primarily through our VOCA-funded CSEC Service Enhancement Project, aimed at enhancing services for children impacted by CSEC by ensuring a coordinated response is available to child victims statewide from Pittsfield to Provincetown through a dedicated CSEC Case Manager position in each jurisdiction. MACA will also begin the implementation phase of the MA CSEC Multi-disciplinary Team Core Standards in Response to CSEC and Sex Trafficking, guidelines designed for the Massachusetts coordinators of the CSEC MDT that codifies best practices for the response to sexually exploited children.

On the horizon: We have an increase regionally in cases of labor trafficking of youth. While this has traditionally fallen off the radar of our regional response, we have identified that youth who have been referred to our centers often have experienced multiple victimizations, sometimes spanning a variety of forms of trafficking. While we cannot be sure, we believe this is an increasing trend and are working with multidisciplinary partners to hone our regional response.

What We Need Parents to Know

Parents and Caregivers are Critical for Prevention

Parents need to be informed, engaged, and open with their children to make steps towards preventing sexual exploitation of children. As we mentioned, the majority of cases of sexual exploitation in our region contain an online element. It is the primary method youth are being exploited and because of this it is critical for parents to be as involved in their children’s online lives as their sport and school activities. Parents need to better understand how to use the popular apps and platforms kids and teens are using. Cases of exploitation have taken place on all internet accessible devices, including video game consoles, school-based devices, and even apps associated with school use. If parents and caregivers don’t have regular conversations about online safety, and monitor all internet enabled devices, the opportunity for exploitation to happen in plain sight remains high.

Have Conversations Without Judgment

It is important for kids and teens to know that if they make a mistake, they can have a calm non-judgmental conversation with their parents and ask for help. Children need to know that their parents will always believe in them, advocate for them, and put their health and safety first. Having ongoing and regular conversations about safety with kids and teens will help them feel supported and can provide reassurance and increase their likelihood to ask for help.

As a parent, if they do make a mistake and report that something happened to them, remain calm, and don’t take quick action like deleting images or messages. These may be important to effectively report and get help. Contact your local police department or local Children’s Advocacy Center for guidance. If you see or suspect child sexual abuse material online or  on social media, you can report it to NCMEC through their Cyber Tipline.

In some cases, children have been threatened to stay compliant with the demands of an offender. It may be difficult for a child to come to a caregiver for help if they are fearful of the threats being made to them. Staying calm and knowing how to take action is crucial in helping a child who is a victim of online exploitation. The more parents and caregivers engage in their child’s online life, while discussing the risks of online sexual exploitation, the more likely children will confide in their parents when issues arise.

Please, make sure to thank them for coming to you for help if they do.

Additional Resources:

We recommend parents understand the privacy settings of these applications to increase the safety barrier between children and potential exploitation online. Below are a series of links which may help you navigate safely online with your children.

• Take the Pledge to Be Safe and Be Smart Online
• Boston Children’s Hospital Digital Wellness Lab
• End Sexual Exploitation Internet Filtering Services
• Understanding Privacy Settings and Browser Control
• Parent’s guide to Snapchat
• Apple iOS Child Safety Features
• Common Sense Media
• The Institute for Responsible Online and Cellphone Communication
• Being a Trusted Adult
• Sextortion: What Parents Should Know
• Is Your Explicit Content Out There?
• Resources for Child Sexual Abuse Material Survivors
• National Center on Sexual Exploitation Resources (in the resource section click on the tech solutions and there are a bunch of tech safety online guides for parents)
• Culture Reframed
• Massachusetts State Laws regarding CSAM

We are Your Local Resource

We know this information is overwhelming and hard to hear. Sexual exploitation in our community is unfathomable, however, it is here, and the danger is increasing. If you want to learn more about how we are making an impact, or, would like to learn how you can join us in tackling this issue, please don’t hesitate to call us any of our centers.

• Children’s Cove: 508.375.0410
• Bristol County:  508.674.6111
• Plymouth County: 508.580.3383

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Untangling the Trends on Trafficking

December 21, 2023

As we approach January of 2024, we are thinking ahead to Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. Over the last year, there has been a significant increase in the discussion of Human Trafficking in the United States. Twice this year, according to Google Trends, the term “human trafficking” experienced two significant jumps. The first in December of 2022 following the arrest of controversial social media influencers Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate, and the second in July of 2023 following the release of the surprise blockbuster “Sound of Freedom.” Both events led to larger conversations surrounding what Human Trafficking is and isn’t, where it impacts people, and what needs to be done. While we often welcome discourse on topics relevant to our work, this jump in popularity seemingly had a less than favorable impact on the critically important work.

To start, we need to create an understanding of the issue. Human trafficking is widely defined by the United States Department of Justice as “involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. Coercion can be subtle or overt, physical, or psychological. Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used.” Relevant to our work, Massachusetts state law defines the trafficking of children as the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Massachusetts recognize that CSEC occurs when a person under the age of 18 is offered, or given, something of value to them in exchange for some type of sexual act. It doesn’t have to be in person, and it doesn’t need to be money for it to be commercial sexual exploitation. Value could be anything to a child, including food, clothing, a warm place to sleep, better grades, vapes, alcohol or other substances, a trip to a salon, or even a ride somewhere.

Another form of sexual exploitation can take place online. Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is also considered a form of sexual exploitation and abuse. Often referred to as child pornography, CSAM is any photo, video, or visual image of a child under 18 engaged in sexual behavior or unclothed. CSAM is much more than photos and videos; it is a form of exploitation and abuse documented and shared across the internet in perpetuity. Every time an image is viewed, shared, paid for, or downloaded, the child is being revictimized and a crime takes place.

Google Trends doesn’t necessarily dive into the information that defines these issues even though it is widely and publicly available. These trends focused on the more controversial and sensationalized elements of the epidemic of human trafficking. The Tate Brothers were arrested in Romania and accused of sexual assault, human trafficking, and other acts of violence against seven women across three continents. Andrew Tate is accused of using a “Romeo” style of exploitation, which is generally defined as romancing women or making them believe they are in a relationship before beginning to exploit them. Once a “relationship” was established, he is accused of forcing women to make pornographic content, alleging that women had debts to repay, and using threats of violence to keep them engaged in sexual behavior. Conversely, the “Sound of Freedom” focuses on former U.S. Government Agent Tim Ballard who leaves his formal position at the Department of Homeland Security to rescue children from sexual exploitation in Columbia. The film centers around Ballard’s Operation Underground Railroad, an anti-sex trafficking organization, and its work to rescue children from sexual exploitation.

The challenge with both media events, which garnered a lot of attention to the issue of human trafficking, is the disparity in the way it led to trafficking being viewed. Andrew Tate’s nearly rabid fan base quickly launched a staunch defense of him and his brother, with claims that allegations were fraudulent and that he was being targeted for his masculine and conservative views. The “Sound of Freedom”, on the other hand, portrayed child sex trafficking and exploitation as a problem outside the United States, and at times a far-reaching conspiracy tied to “global elites” who exploit children for ritualistic fashion. Both of these events have led to an overgeneralized understanding of human trafficking, which is both unbelievable for its simplicity (that women can be manipulated into their own exploitation), and believable for its complex ties to a global conspiracy, which operates outside the United States.

While the Tate brothers’ situation is more of a socio-political issue and contributed to debates from pundits on cable and social networks, the “Sound of Freedom” led to a large response from the organizations and communities that have been committed to end human trafficking for many years. One of those organizations, our statewide partners My Life My Choice (MLMC), a survivor-led organization whose mission is to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children, had significant concerns about the film. Based in Boston, MLMC has provided education and training to more than 20,000 providers of youth services, has provided mentorship programs to more than 900 exploited youth in the Commonwealth, and prevention education to more than 3,800 girls. They have shared their curriculum and provided education to more than 36 states in the nation, and in 2018, an evaluation funded by the National Institute of Justice indicated their programs were completed with “rigorous evidence of effectiveness.”

In a blog post from July titled “Setting the Story Straight”, My Life My Choice criticized the focus on the exaggerated stories about the organization Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) and its founder Tim Ballard. “Sound of Freedom” created a false narrative of the sexual exploitation of children, which took the focus off the root causes of the exploitation industry. It also minimized the complex needs, care, and treatment needed for survivors of exploitation, as well as reinforced the misunderstanding that trafficking happens far away.

While this was just one voice which rose during the peak of the film’s popularity, many other issues have since come to light. The jump in attention for the organization had the opposite effect one may imagine. Tim Ballard separated himself from the organization within several months of the film’s release after a series of allegations by employees made accusations against him for sexual misconduct. Some of these behaviors mirrored those behaviors used by traffickers themselves to groom, manipulate and exploit women who had joined the organization to support survivors. By November of 2023 Ballard is facing lawsuits for allegations of sexual misconduct and assault by no fewer than six women. Ballard and O.U.R. have faced additional backlash from faith-based organizations, media and politicians over accusations of engaging in fraud and promoting conspiracy theories.

My Life My Choice stated in their article: “Some may believe that any dialogue about human trafficking raises awareness and builds the movement, and therefore “Sound of Freedom” has an important role to play. We disagree. This film takes attention and investment away from the true work of supporting survivors and shifting the circumstances that makes CSEC possible.” We could not agree more.

As the Child Advocacy Center for the Cape & Islands, we provide the coordinated response to crimes against children, including the regional multidisciplinary response to concerns of sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. We work collaboratively with the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office, all departments of law enforcement, the Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Public Health for this coordinated response.

In January of this year, Children’s Cove partnered with the Child Advocacy Centers of Bristol and Plymouth Counties to put out a report regarding the impact and concerns of exploitation and trafficking of children in Southeastern Massachusetts in the calendar year of 2022. Regionally, our centers saw an increase in referrals of more than 40%, many beginning with or being solely online sexual exploitation. There were 420 referrals for concerns of exploitation of children in the region, including 355 female identified children, 63 male identified children and 2 transgender identified individuals. The range of ages for children impacted were from 5 years-old to 17 years-old and the distribution of these cases were that approximately 77% of these cases were individuals between 13 years-old and 17 years-old, and 23% were children who were 12 years-old and younger.

More than 400 children were sexually exploited or trafficked right here in Southeastern Massachusetts last year. Not in Haiti, Thailand, China, or Mexico, but here in the communities across Massachusetts. We have been responding to cases of commercial sexual exploitation of children across Massachusetts for many years now, and we need the same level of support for these very real children in our community. To learn more about commercial sexual exploitation of children visit our website, or to watch films about how exploitation manifests itself in our communities these are some recommend films: “Very Young Girls,” “I am Jane Doe,” and “A Path Appears.”

Together we can work to create a community where children are free of abuse, have a voice that is heard, and where they enjoy healthy, safe, and empowered lives.

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Domestic Violence is Child Abuse

October 12, 2023

First observed in 1981, October is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for advocates, survivors, and families to mourn lives that were lost, bring attention to the issue of domestic violence in our country, and connect with others to create change.

Domestic violence, otherwise known as intimate partner violence, is unfortunately very common, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with “about 41% of women and 26% of men experiencing sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner…during their lifetime.” Like other forms of abuse, domestic violence is more than just one act, as it encapsulates a variety of behaviors and actions.

According to our community partners at Independence House, domestic violence is defined as:

This October, Independence House, A Safe Place Nantucket and CONNECT to End Violence Martha’s Vineyard will work to bring awareness to this issue for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. These incredible community partners work with those experiencing domestic violence and provide a variety of helpful measures to individuals and families, including improving safety, support, and independence. The direct services team at Children’s Cove will often work collaboratively with these organizations when helping a child who has been abused or has witnessed the abuse of another in their home. It is this collaboration, and the intersection of our work which provides us with the insight and expertise to strongly believe that domestic violence is synonymous with child abuse.

The challenge with terms, catchphrases or labels is that they are often oversimplified. Based on someone’s experience or unique perspective, when hearing a particular term, they may have a stereotypical image that comes to mind.  For example, domestic violence is often portrayed as an adult male physically assaulting an adult female, but this is only a fraction of the wider issue and its intricacies.

What would your first response be when asked the questions: “if a father hits a mother with their child in the house, is that child being abused?” Perhaps it would to be to ask another question, “did the child see it?” “Were they also hit?” “Was the child was sleeping?” Sometimes the answer to the original question is a simple ‘yes’, whereas to others it becomes more nuanced. There can be a belief that because the child themselves has not physically experienced the abuse; it would not qualify as child abuse. We want to state unequivocally that this is simply not the case.

Much like child sexual abuse, domestic violence impacts the entire family. Children in particular are at increased risk of long term effects of experiencing or witnessing domestic violence, known as an “adverse childhood experience” (to learn more, visit our past article here). Children need to grow in a safe and stable environment, as chronic adverse stress, or “toxic stress” results in physical and behavioral impacts on the child.

According to the CDC, “when a child feels threatened, hormones are released, and they circulate throughout the body. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones can impact the brain and impair functioning in a variety of ways.” This impact can alter the growth and development of the brain, cause a lower level of stress tolerance, create difficulty with their autoimmune response, develop more illnesses in their lifetime, or even develop neurological disabilities.

There is a tangible physical and neurological impact to a child who witnesses and experiences domestic violence.  In fact, the belief that domestic violence may only impact adults is also unfounded. The Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody presented research which found that approximately 30-60% of families in which either child abuse / neglect or adult domestic violence is occurring, the family was also experiencing the other form of violence. Rarely does one issue does not impact or connect with the other.

However, even with the science, the studies, and findings, it may be hard to convince individuals that domestic violence is not child abuse. The impacts of domestic violence for children are real and lifelong.  There is a YouTube video of a 911 call from 6-year-old Lisa Floyd where she desperately and repeatedly asks for help from the police to stop her stepfather from severely physically assaulting her mother.  Lisa’s pleading, screams and crying are signs of the insidious trauma she is experiencing. This call received national attention and is used to educate people on the impact of domestic violence on children.

Below is a transcribed video of Lisa Floyd’s 9-1-1 call.

*WARNING* this recording is incredibly disturbing and may be challenging or triggering for some to hear.

Think about a six-year-old experiencing this trauma not just once, but numerous times. We believe this can only be categorized as child abuse.  As an adult, Lisa Floyd sadly did not escape a troubled life.  After years of substance misuse, including 25 DUIs and jail time, at last report, Lisa was in recovery and working with a recovery care organization to help others.

As the Child Advocacy Center for Cape Cod & the Islands, Children’s Cove provides compassionate, comprehensive, and collaborative response services at no cost to survivors of child abuse. Our multidisciplinary team works together to empower survivors, promote healthy outcomes, and help mitigate the stigma of child abuse. Children’s Cove also partners with regional sexual and domestic violence agencies to end violence and abuse on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. We know that sexual abuse, domestic violence, and sexual exploitation impacts people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomics.

Our mission remains steadfast – to create communities where everyone lives free from abuse, has a voice that is heard, and can enjoy healthy, safe, and empowered lives. If you are a victim of abuse and don’t know where to turn, there is community support available. You are not alone.

If you would like to learn more about free and confidential services available to our communities or provide information to someone who may need support, we are here to answer questions and offer help.

Learn how to access support services across the Cape & Islands here.

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A School’s Critical Role in Safety

August 14, 2023

As summer comes to a close, it’s time for parents and caregivers to get ready for the start of the new school year. Whether it is the first year their child is entering school or the last year of high school, there is a whole host of items, schedules and plans needed for students of every age. Books to read, school supplies, bus schedules, lunchboxes, clothing, shoes, sports equipment; the lists of these materials, needs and consent forms come weekly, sometimes daily, at the beginning of the school year for parents to review, sign, and return. In fact, schools tend to do an incredible job of communicating.  However, there is a topic we believe needs to be included in the information schools share with parents and caregivers, and that is the school’s policy on child abuse prevention, recognition, response, and reporting.

Schools play a critical role in child abuse recognition and response, and teachers are often the front line. When schools play such a critical role of recognizing and reporting abuse, one should expect there to be comprehensive, consistent protocols between schools and districts, and the regular communication of these protocols to families. However, this most often is not the case.

While there is specific session law in Massachusetts which requires every school and athletic program to “to develop an interscholastic athletic head injury safety training program,” there are no such requirements for child abuse prevention, recognition, response or reporting. There are requirements in Massachusetts for teachers and school staff to undergo training to understand their roles as Mandated Reporters, yet there are no requirements for specific policies or procedures regarding this within any school district in Massachusetts. In many instances this leads to confusion, disorganization, and at times a loss of effective reporting in school districts that continues to this day. Minimal or over-complicated policies related to recognizing and reporting abuse of children in schools reduces the likelihood that mandated reporters in school make effective reports, which may increase the possibility of children being harmed.

What if we took this a step further? While we know our culture and communities already place an enormous burden on schools, it must be said that for several years now there has been a near constant conversation related to safety in schools. Schools teach young children how to stop, drop, and role, “just say no”, dial 9-1-1, and look both ways to cross the street, and how to hide from active threats or active shooters. However, where are the conversations about body safety? Consent? Defining abuse and why it’s not ok? Talking about domestic violence and why it’s ok to ask for help?

There are no requirements in Massachusetts for these types of conversations. Additionally, there are no specific requirements or standards for child abuse prevention at the legislative level as a part of the “safe and supportive school” requirements. Anything which could be considered as a standard for this level of care is often left to school committees at a local level, who most often are not child abuse experts.

While there is a lot that schools do well in communicating to the communities they support, there is great room for improvement when it comes to communicating about child abuse prevention, recognition, response, and reporting policies. As a community we regularly don’t ask to see a school’s policies, procedures and protocols related to disclosures of abuse, or ask about if schools teach prevention. If something is not discussed, it won’t be addressed. If it is not addressed, it won’t be improved. As a community, we deserve to have a unified practice of how all schools, at every grade level, operate towards the prevention, early recognition, and effective response and reporting of child abuse on the Cape & Islands.

If there are any parents, caregivers, teachers, school committees or superintendents who would like to support this endeavor, please contact Jacob Stapledon, Children’s Cove’s Community Engagement and Education Program Manager, at Jacob.Stapledon@childrenscover.org to start this conversation.

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Do Stiffer Penalties for Child Sexual Abuse Crimes Have the Desired Effect?

May 23, 2023

Earlier this month, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill expanding the death penalty for a number of crimes including sexual assault and sexual battery for children under the age of 12. This is a part of a larger initiative in the state of Florida to increase consequences for more severe criminal offenses such as crimes against children. However, the tougher sentencing in this state legislation may not have the desired deterrence when it comes to crimes against children.

In cases of sexual violence, and crimes against children, there is a component that many lawmakers fail to understand. Regardless of the state in which you reside, everyone is protected by the United States Constitution. The Sixth Amendment to the United States Bill of Rights allows the accused to be “confronted with the witnesses against him and to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses and his favor.” Because of this right, every state has a requirement to some degree in which someone who is a victim of a crime must testify in the trial of a person accused of committing the crime.

According to the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance, last year 7,346 children sought help at Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) across the Commonwealth. Forty-four percent of those children were under 12 years old. One of the greatest challenges in securing prosecution of individuals who are allegedly committing crimes against children is the requirement of the child victim to testify in court.

Here is the obstacle in prosecuting the perpetrators of child sexual abuse – more than 90% of them are somebody that child knows, trusts, and most likely, loves. Thirty to 40% of perpetrators of sexual abuse are family members, whether directly in the home or extended family. Children who disclose their abuse often talk about their struggles of asking for help (of which only 1 in 10 child victims ever will), often over the concern of the consequences for that loved one.

What many fail to understand is that sexual crimes against children happen gradually over time. Perpetrators groom their victims and manipulate the environment around a child who is their target, including parents and adults who know the victim. They create an atmosphere of trust and incrementally desensitize the child to sexual conversations, images, or behavior. Or they take advantage of that child’s limited knowledge of sexual matters or their inability to communicate what is happening.

Often, when a child first understands that what is happening should not be happening, there is immense confusion. These perpetrators of child sexual abuse manipulate the mind of children to make them believe that they themselves are doing something wrong, rather than the offender. The guilt, shame, and embarrassment the victim feels prevents them from wanting to talk about it. Not only do perpetrators create so much confusion and shame within children, but they also try to make others around them unlikely to believe the child even if they do ask for help.

Moreover, if a child asks for help, seeks support, and begins the process of trying to hold this person accountable, these predators know that the likelihood of them going to trial is very small. While children provide initial disclosure of abuse when working with a CAC, the testimony provided in these initial reports cannot be used in court. Even if the evidence of abuse is clear in a victim’s testimony at the CAC, that perpetrator has a right to a trial, has a right to an attorney, and has a right for that attorney to cross-examine the victim to create reasonable doubt. This challenge often leads to sexual abuse cases, especially those against young children, dropped or plead out for a significantly reduced sentence, or sometimes no punishment at all.

While increasing the penalty for committing child sexual abuse to a capital offense may seem like an increased deterrent, it may not change the fact these crimes are hard to prosecute. The challenge for law enforcement is the connection between the perpetrator and the child, whether it is a connection of trust or a familial relationship. There could also be a correlation between the victim’s willingness to ask for help and what is the consequence that help could mean for the individual or their family.

Children can identify at an incredibly early age the roles within families. Sometimes the role of the perpetrator is the sole breadwinner, who takes care of the family financially. If that person went away, what would happen to their family? Or what if everyone adored that person, and this child comes forward with a heinous allegation of abuse, would everyone else hate them, would they support the victim, or would they blame them for the loss of this adult? What if this abuser is the only adult they have in their life? Would that child want to see them in jail forever or killed?

This overwhelming requirement in the criminal justice system for children to make decisions impacting the life of a perpetrator is devastatingly unfair. It is far too much to require child victims to testify in court in front of strangers and be cross-examined about one of the worst experiences in their own life, while recalling all the embarrassing and shameful details.

Yes, there is a need to provide deterrence of this behavior and to penalize actions of it. However, our criminal justice system is established for adults, which gives little assistance to the needs of children or their rights. If we truly wish to change our society, to reduce crimes against children and increase consequences for perpetrators of abuse, we need to do more than enact stiffer penalties. There needs to be requirements for child protection and safety standards in every youth serving organization nationally. There needs to be clear and understandable reporting guidelines for suspicions of abuse in all youth serving organizations and frequent required training of how to follow those guidelines. There needs to be reduced barriers for reports by mandated reporters and less opportunity for bureaucratic systems to hold up reports of suspected abuse. And there needs to be a national standard for who qualifies as a mandated reporter and when they are obligated to report.

For so long there has been so much talk about how our children are our future, however, there is no standard, no expectation of how we will come together collectively to protect them from child abuse. And, in instances where systems fail to protect children, there needs to be a better way in which children can be supported to hold perpetrators accountable.

Sources:

1. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/desantis-expands-death-penalty-include-child-rape-setting-likely-court-rcna82413
2. https://www.aclu.org/united-states-bill-rights-first-10-amendments-constitution
3. https://machildrensalliance.org

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