Six Louisianian Children Rescued from Prostitution

Six Children Recovered from Prostitution

The FBI partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in Operation Cross Country--an initiative to rescue children forced into prostitution as well as arrest those who prostitute these children. In total,105 children were rescued and 150 pimps were arrested in a three day probe throughout 76 cities in the United States. Six of these children and six of the pimps were discovered in Louisiana.

To learn more about Operation Cross Country, follow these links:

http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20130729/NEWS02/307290013/6-arrested-6-children-recovered-from-New-Orleans-prostitution-sting

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/07/authorities_rescue_four_juveni.html#incart_river_default

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/29/fbi-rescues-at-least-105-child-prostitutes-in-nationwide-undercover-operation/

What is child sexual abuse?

“It could never happen to my family…” “Child sex abuse doesn’t exist in my neighborhood…”

There are a lot of misconceptions about child sexual abuse. Although we would like to believe that the children closest to us would never be subject to sex abuse, research shows that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by the time they turn 18. Child sex abuse is a reality that adults should be knowledgeable of because it is so prevalent in our society. When we become aware of child sexual abuse, we are better equipped to protect children and hold perpetrators accountable. Child sex abuse can be pressuring a child to engage in sexual acts, but can also include non-contact acts, such as persuading a child to watch pornography or communicating in a sexual manner by phone or internet.

Child sexual abuse is traumatic for its victims and the effects of these agonizing experiences begin almost immediately. Not only does it foster drug and alcohol dependence, but it can also cause mental illness and other health issues, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder.

There are opportunities for adults to reduce the risk of sexual abuse.  Although it would be unhealthy to automatically assume everyone is a perpetrator, there are some precautions that you can take to ensure the safety of the children you care about. Think carefully about the safety of one-adult/one-child situations. Being aware of your surroundings in these situations is important to the safety of the children in your life. You can also set examples by being self-aware of the one-child/one-adult interactions you have. Monitoring internet use can also reduce the risk of sex abuse. 

The more aware we are in our communities, the less likely our children will be abused!

Many of the facts in this blog came from here.

For more information on child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse prevention, check out:

MOSAC

Darkness to Light

LGBTQ Youth Disproportionately Victimized

Between five and 10 percent of the population identify as LGBTQ, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning. Research shows that there are disproportionate numbers of LGBTQ youth facing family rejection, victimization and abuse and neglect at home. When LGBTQ youth are victims of violence and family rejection, the likelihood that they will participate in high-risk behavior, such as substance abuse and attempted suicide, increases significantly.

• 31% of men and 29% of women reported experiencing harassment or physical violence from family members on the basis of their sexual orientation
•  26% of gay male youth were forced to leave home because of conflicts with family members over sexual orientation
• In a survey of 402 transgendered people, 78% reported having been verbally harassed and 48% reported having been victims of assault, including assault with a weapon, sexual assault, and rape
•  32% (in comparison to 7% heterosexual youth) reported a suicide attempt

LGBTQ youth who have been abused are also more likely to be revictimized, or “the notion that individuals who experience victimization in childhood are at increased risk for subsequent victimization at some point in their lives.” Revictimization can include depression and anxiety, as well as other traumas, such as sexual and physical abuse.

There are a growing number of resources for support for LGBTQ youth. Check out the links below for more information!
Lambda Legal
Child Welfare League of America
Risk Data
Childhood victimization and lifetime revictimization

Recent Study Focuses on Effects of Sibling Aggression

I was recently watching an episode of a cartoon in which a sister sends her younger brother forward in time “forever” so that she could continue her life in peace and quiet.

This show reminded me of the occasional combativeness I expressed with my younger brother. Who hasn’t wanted to send a sibling forward in time for some uninterrupted relaxation in the present? After hearing about a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics that explored the effects of sibling aggression on mental distress in children and adolescents, I became nervous that my wish for kin time travel might have somehow had a devastating effect on my brother’s mental health.

Although it is common for siblings to fight, there is an increasing interest in the more destructive behaviors. The study was conducted by the University of New Hampshire and focused on thousands of phone interviews with children aged 0-9, and 10-17. It found that “the possible importance of sibling aggression for children’s and adolescents’ mental health should not be dismissed.” Mild physical harm, meanness and psychological harm all had effects such as anxiety, depression or anger.

This is something that is avoidable; parents can teach conflict management to children to avoid mental distress from sibling aggression. Besides teaching safety, offering support and cooperation, siblings can learn to be accountable for their actions, and with all of these factors, respect will be earned. This can minimize sibling aggression, both psychological and physical.

As for my brother, I’ll let him decide if sibling aggression caused any long lasting psychological damage.

The VISTA

See the study here!

Keeping Kids Safe on July 4th

With Independence Day quickly approaching, we would like to provide you with some tips on child safety! While July 4^th is an opportunity for the whole community to come together and celebrate everything American with parades and fireworks, it is important to observe safety precautions which can help you and your families avoid dangerous situations.

• Review safety rules with children before you leave your home. Ensuring that kids have contact information memorized will be helpful in the event of separation.

• Dress your children in clothing that is easily distinguishable from the rest of a crowd.

• Accompany and supervise children in public facilities, including restrooms.

• Keep children with you at all times and strictly enforce a buddy system for older children, including designating a time and place to meet.

• If you are celebrating this Independence Day away on vacation, have children memorize or keep handy your cell phone number and address, as well as the name, phone number, and address of the place you are staying.

• Remind children to remain in the area where they become separated, and teach them to dial 9-1-1 in emergency situations.

• Point out unsafe places to play and discourage kids from taking shortcuts or playing near dangerous intersections.

• In the event they are grabbed by a stranger, instruct children to yell, “This person is trying to take me!” or “This is not my mother/father!” and to resist by pulling, walking or running away.

• If traveling away to celebrate, look up the new location’s sex offender registry and be aware of your surroundings.

• Make sure your children don’t play too close to the fireworks, drink lots of water and wear sunscreen!

 For more tips, click here!