Spreading the Truth of Child Abuse
By Denise Blaz
Laredo Morning Times
Published: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 3:37 PM CDT
A mental health counselor at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County sees 15 to 20 new cases of sexual abuse each week. That’s a grim reminder that the problem is very much alive in Laredo, said counselor Amanda Aleman. Working with children and parents, Aleman comes in contact with victims from all walks of life. The difference has been that the city has seen a 54 percent increase in sexual abuse reports since the inception of the center in 1995. This year alone, the center has helped 726 children. Taking part in a statewide effort to increase awareness of the center and its services, organizers launched the “One with Courage” campaign in mid-September. “This launching gives us an opportunity to take it to a greater level,” said Sylvia Bruni, Children’s Advocacy Center director, during a news conference. “We can go beyond our teachers and go to the entire community.” Taking a public service announcement approach meets the center’s mission to break the cycle of child abuse through community education.
Seeking truth
Included in that education is teaching the public about the myths of sexual abuse. One of those myths is that the abuser must appear abnormal. “The person can be very charismatic, seemingly have a normal job and function like a normal adult,” Aleman said. “Things to pick up on is if the person is always wanting to have access to children. They primarily look to have a position where they have access to a child. You may have men who remarry women who were previously abused themselves and have children.” 406th District Court Judge Oscar “O.J.” Hale agreed with Aleman’s assessment and said the public should be vigilant and informed. “I don’t think there is a trend,” said Hale, who has seen 95 percent of local sexual abuse cases in his courtroom during the past six years. “Anyone can be a victim — anyone can be a defendant, for that matter,” the judge said. “Anyone can be a predator. There is really not a definition of a stereotype. It can be anyone. I think that’s what people need to know.
The community needs to know that there are resources out there.”
Courtroom changes
In January, sexual abuse cases will be spread among all the district courts, including the 111th District Court, which traditionally has dealt primarily with civil matters. “We’ll be able to have these cases go to trial faster — both for the victim’s sake and the defendant’s sake. Everybody gets their day in court,” said Hale. “With all the district courts handling these cases, it should allow for a faster disposition of justice.” According to statewide statistics one in four girls are sexually abused before reaching 18, and one in six boys are abused by the same age. Of those children, only one in 10 will report the abuse. In 2009, 98 sexual assault cases were prosecuted in the local court system, with 94 ultimately ending in convictions. How can sexual abuse in a child be spotted? “What I mostly see is withdrawing and being aggressive and not knowing why,” Aleman said. “The only thing I can tell parents is that if you have an instinct or a gut feeling, it’s probably right.”
(Denise Blaz may be reached at 728-2547 or dblaz@lmtonline.com)
