CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This thesis examines the history of sexual predators in today's society. The
emphasis focuses on identifying and distinguishing the differences between child
molesters and pedophiles. Such differentiation can be an important clue to both
interception and supervisory control. A history of the literature is reviewed. In
addition, sex offender treatment is explored.
If there were ever a term in the English language that could evoke strong emotional
reactions, the word "child molester" would fit the description. Child molesters prey upon
the most vulnerable members of our society. Several recent high profile cases, such as
those of Samantha Runyon and Danielle Van Dam, have heightened society's awareness
of the dangers that child molester's pose. Society has reacted very strongly to the
media's profile of sex offenders.
Dr. A. Nicholas Groth, (Hagans & Case, 1988) is one of the leading experts on
sexual victimization of children. He classifies child molesters in two categories.
Regressed molesters, usually capable of being helped by a community-based
(unconfined) treatment program, are those individuals who clearly have a sexual
orientation toward people near their own age. Their molestation of a child is a departure
from their usual sexual patterns, often occurring under stress. Fixated molesters, who
have a primary sex orientation toward children, prefer children for sex partners because
they feel more comfortable with them. They often prefer prepubescent children (those who have not yet developed pubic hair, breasts, and other signs of adolescence). Often
fixated molesters only respond to treatment when it is administered in a setting in which
they are confined (Hagans & Case, 1988, p. 5 ).
For law enforcement officers, the term child molester is more likely to conform to a
legal definition of sexual molestation set forth in the penal code, without regard to
whether they are regressed or fixated. A child molester is simply an individual who
engages in illegal sexual activity with children. (Hagans & Case, 1988, p. 5 ). Although,
the use of the term child molester is common, awareness concerning sexual abuse of
children has resulted in the frequent use of the term pedophile. The resulting confusion
between these terms is one of the factors that led to this thesis.
The definition of a child molester is "One who injures or has questionable
dealing with a child. The child molester who is a sexual deviate is termed a pedophile.
The victim may be subject to rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, or murder." (Rush,
2000, p. 94).
Just as someone can refer to another as being "paranoid" without implying a
psychiatric diagnosis or assuming psychiatric expertise, a social worker, prosecutor, or
law enforcement officer may refer to an individual who has sexually victimized a child as
a pedophile. A good definition for pedophilia is as follows: "The use of a minor for
sexual gratification by an adult. Sexual conduct between adult and females and non-adult
males is known to occur, but persons convicted of the crime of pedophilia are,
with few exceptions, males. They constitute a third of all institutionalized sex criminals,
one of the largest classifications. Approximately two-thirds of the victims of pedophilic
acts are prepubescent and adolescent girls in about equal numbers. The act itself is
seldom more than fondling. Sexual intercourse is rarely attempted, and actual penetration
occurs only in about 2 percent of known cases. Genital acts, such as anal coitus and
fellatio, occur more often when the pedophile's object is male." (Rush, 2000, 251).
For the purposes of this
thesis, a pedophile will be defined as a significantly older individual who
prefers to have sex with individuals legally considered children. The pedophile
is one whose sexual fantasies are erotic imagery focusing on children. The laws strictly define a child as anyone
who is under 18 years old. The laws look
at the age difference between the victim and predator when determining charges
and sentencing. It is vital to realize
the importance of the role the law plays in these various definitions. Puberty
can be the determining factor of how a person (in this case, a child) is cared
for when a victim of molestation.
How do all these
definitions affect the difference between a child molester and a
pedophile? They determine issues of how
these categories are exhaustive and exclusive. For many, the terms mean the
same thing. The media frequently make no
distinction between the two and use the terms as the same. But the situations
being described are different. Labeling
all child molesters as pedophiles is confusing because some are pedophiles,
though others are not. That is, “child molester” is not mutually exclusive with
“pedophile.” One may be both a “child molester and a pedophile.” The “child
moslester” who is not a pedophile, responds differently to settings in which
molestation may occur. These are differences that Law Enforcement agencies need
to take into account.
First of all, not all
pedophiles are child molesters. A person suffering from pedophilia can and may
legally engage in fantasy and masturbation to satisfy sexual needs, and never
molest an actual child. A person may
have a sexual preference for children and might fantasize about having sex with
them. That person is a pedophile. But if
he does not act out, then he is not a child molester. Some pedophiles might act
out their fantasies in legal ways by simply talking to or watching children and
later masturbating. Some might have sex
with dolls and mannequins that resemble children. Some pedophiles might act out their fantasies
in legal ways by engaging in sexual activity with adults who look (small
stature, flat chest, no body hair), and dress, or act (immature, baby talk)
like children. Others may act out child
fantasy games with adult prostitutes (Howitt, 1995).
A child molester, on the
other hand, is, by
definition, one who has sexually molested a child. Are all child molesters
pedophiles? No. A pedophile is an
individual who prefers to have sex with children. A person who prefers to have sex with an
adult partner may, for any number of reasons, decide to have sex with a
child. Such reasons might include simple
availability, curiosity, or a desire to hurt a loved one of the molested
child. The sexual fantasies of such
individuals do not necessarily focus on children, and these people are not
pedophiles. Many child molesters are, in
fact, pedophiles and many pedophiles are child molesters, but they are not
necessarily one and the same
(Howitt, 1995).
The law enforcement officer
might argue that it is his job to arrest individuals who violate the law and
that whether or not that offender is a pedophile is of no importance to
him. Distinctions between the types of
child molesters, however, can have important and valuable implications for law
enforcement in the investigation of child abuse.
The situational child
molester does not have a true sexual preference for children, but engages in
sex with children for varied and sometimes complex reasons. For such a child molester, sex with children
may range from a once-in-a-lifetime act to a long-
term pattern of behavior. The more long
term the pattern is, the harder it is to distinguish from preferential
molesting. The situational child
molester usually has fewer number of different child victims (Howitt, 1995). Other vulnerable individuals, such as the
elderly, sick, or the disabled, may also be at risk of sexual victimization by
him or her. For example, the situational
child molester who sexually abuses children in a day care center might leave
that job and begin to sexually abuse elderly people in a nursing home. Based the author’s experience, the number of
situational child molesters is larger and increasing faster than that of
preferential child molesters. Members of
lower socioeconomic groups tend to be over represented among situational child molesters (Howitt, 1995).
Pedophiles have been
classified by several different schemes. At this point it is important to
discuss the types distinguished by (Harwood, 2002):
Personally Immature Pedophile: The personally immature pedophile
who has never succeeded in developing interpersonal skills and is drawn to
children because he feels in control. The sexual contact is not in control (what exactly do you mean here?) and there is often a
“courtship” that occurs before sexual activity actually happens;
Regressed Pedophile: The regressed pedophile usually has developed
strong heterosexual relationships without much difficulty. During childhood he developed
a sense of sexual inadequacy, (the two highlighted portions contradict one another. Which is
it?) has difficulty with everyday stresses and
alcohol and his pedophilia is likely to be impulsive and with strangers.
Aggressive Pedophile: The aggressive pedophile is the least common, often has a history of
anti-social behaviors and may feel a strong hostility to women. He is most likely to assault his victims and
do great bodily harm, even murder.
(Harwood, 2002, p. 42).
The
Preferential Child Molesters – no antecedent for
the “the” which preferential child molesters. Is this another of Harwood’s
types? If so, you have to say so.
Weren’t these the “fixated” child molesters Dr. Groth spoke of? have a definite sexual preference for children. Their sexual fantasies are erotic imagery
focusing on children. They have sex with
children not because of some situational stress or insecurity, but because they
are sexually attracted to and prefer children.
They can possess a wide variety of character traits but engage in highly predictable sexual behavior. These highly predictable sexual behavior
patterns are called sexual rituals – you need to be
more precise. I guess I’m naïve, but I can’t imagine what such a ritual would
involve. - and are frequently engaged in even
when they are counterproductive to getting away with the criminal
activity. Although, they – preferential child
molesters – no antecedent for the “they” -may be smaller in number than
the situational child molesters, they have the potential to molest large
numbers of victims. For many of them,
their problem is not only the nature of the sex drive (attraction to children)
but also the quantity (the need for frequent and repeated sex with children).
They usually have age and gender preferences for their victims. Members of higher socioeconomic groups tend
to be over represented among preferential child molesters – you need to cite a source here. More preferential child molesters seem to – what’s with the “seem to” – you need to cite a
source - prefer boy than girl
victims.
Need transition here.
Are we through with definitions and types? Now what are we changing
to. Also, you need to make your
sub-titles stand out so that your reader can get a sense of where you’re going.
Background of
Abuse with Sex Offenders
Most victims of child
sexual abuse do not become offenders. Research indicates that many offenders
are former sexual victims. These two sentences tend to
contradict each other. You need to say that although most victims don’t become
sex offenders, many who do become sex offenders have been sexually abused.
It is well important that the investigator determine if a suspect had ever been
the victim of sexual abuse and what was the nature of the abuse (age it
occurred, relationship with offender, acts performed, etc.). You need to add here
WHY it is important to do this. You tend
to be vague about this. (The pedophile’s sexual preference for children
usually begins in early adolescence.
Therefore, during his or her teenage years, the individual may have
exhibited little sexual interest in people his or her own age, but as with
several of these indicators, the fact alone means little (Howitt, 1995).) These last two sentences seem to drop the issue of the
importance of investigating any background of sexual abuse and return to the
definitions of what happens when. I’d remove them or put them somewhere in the
earlier section.
Prevention/Signs/Warnings
Law enforcement and
society as a whole look at child molestation and crimes toward children as some
of the worst in the area of crime. So
many times children’s minds are taken over – colloquial – try: children fall victim to sexual crimes because
they lack the experience and sophistication to maneuver their way out of a
particularly dangerous and detrimental situation. Because children are not able to fully defend
and protect themselves, the parents must take a serious
stand – of what does a “serious stand” consist?
I think what you’re trying to say is that parents must make their explanations
to children far more complex, especially as regards trust in the authority of adults - to
ensure the ultimate safety and well being of children.
Many parents teach their
children at a very young age to respect and do as adults say. When an adult child molester starts to use
their authority as a guardian, counselor, or school volunteer to entice
children to participate in sexual activities, the child feels helpless. There is an internal battle the child is
constantly tormented with. On the other
hand, the molesters want to make children feel uncomfortable
and bad about themselves – no, the moslesters want sex. They are not concerned
with the childrens’ feelings, but I suspect it is inaccurate to use the term
“want to make the children feel unfomfortable.”
The need for attention
and affection is probably the “Most significant characteristic of children that
makes them ideal victims, especially for the seduction acquaintance child
molester” (www.crimelibrary.com – not the right citation format.). Typically, the child accepts to exchange sex
for the attention and affection demonstrated by the molester. But its called coercion in the law. You need to get that idea
across, and not make it sound like this fits in exchange theory.
The molester provides
affection, which the child may or may not receive in the home or in other areas
of his or her life. This is too broad and inaccurate.
Whether a child has affection in his home is irrelevant to the fact that
socialization by significant others goes part and parcel with affection. Make
that clear. And we need to add to that socialization an understanding that
trust must be earned, and that children can no longer afford to be naïve.
Children who are considered to be from “good” families are also exposed to
these dangers, not just children from dysfunctional families. See, you say this in the last sentence, but you don’t really
give any theoretical explanation.
There are several
preventative approaches parents and guardians can use to minimize their
children’s risk of becoming a victim.
Usually, when an adult behaves a certain way
– this phrase has no meaning - with a child
sometimes the behavior does not feel or seem healthy. Here you’re saying
something is wrong with the adult behavior The
following are questions that can help determine whether or not a child’s
behavior her you’ve switched to the child’s behavior –
locig!!!! is a cry for help. Does the adult or older child. – is the
older child a molester here??..
- Insist on physical contact
(i.e., kissing, hugging, sitting on one’s lap) with
child,
even when the child
rejects?
- Buys child(ren)
expensive gifts for no apparent reason?
- Offer themselves
to baby-sit different children for free on a regular basis?
- Insist on time alone with a
child with no interruptions?
- Spends most of their time
with children and has no real interest in spending time
with people in
their own age group?
- Constantly talks about the child(ren)’s developing body or interferes with normal
teen dating? (Baker and Leigh, 2002). How did teen dating
get mixed up in here? – you’re grabbing too much
together. Stick to the topic of how to teach kids not to trust naively.
If one can answer yes to some
of these questions talk to that person about their behavior.
So what do you say to a suspected child molester, when
you are not trained for that? If not, report it to someone
with experience in these kinds of situations. A psychologist and/or school
counselor may be able to assist in making sure the child gets help if they have
been a victim (www.stopitnow.com/warnings.html not right citation format). Physical abuse from
molestation can have a scarring effect on a child’s mind as well as his or her
body. Now you’ve jumped from naïve trust to the long
range effects of physical abuse???? Adults are not the only ones who show physical
signs of abuse. I
think what you’re trying to say is that there are physical signs that serve as
clues to an inappropriate relationship that could lead to suspected abuse. Children
show behavioral and physical signs of abuse and the warning signs range from
subtle to acting-out behaviors. The
following lists outline warning signs of abuse parents may see in a sexually
abused child:
Behavioral Signs:
- Nightmares or other sleep
disturbances.
- Problems in school or with
peers.
- Sudden changes in attitude
or behavior, e.g., from open to secretive, or happy to
depressed.
- Regressive behavior, e.g.,
returning to bed-wetting, thumbsucking, etc.
- “Pseudo” mature behavior,
e.g., tries to act older than age (shown through dress, make-
up, activities,
etc.
- Secrecy about a new “friend.”
- Frequent unexplained absences from
school.
- Fear of a certain person or vehement
objection to being left with someone or
somewhere.
- Truancy, running away,
promiscuity, or prostitution (most common in adolescence).
- Self-mutilation or addiction
t drugs, alcohol of food (most common in adolescence).
- Drawings, writings, or
school-work of unusual or bizarre sexual themes.
- Excessive sexual curiosity
or masturbation, especially with pre-school age children. - - - (Natural curiosity and masturbation are
normal for children. It’s a warning sign
only
when it happens a
lot.)
- Unusual or explicit
knowledge about sex (shown through language or behavior).
- Seductive behavior, sexual
advances, or sex play towards peers or adults.
(The child
may be reenacting
behavior exhibited towards him.)
- Suicide attempts
(Mach, 1994, p. 3-4 Is all of this from Mach or only the last one?).
Physical Signs:
- Unexplained headaches,
stomach aches, vomiting, fainting, blackouts, etc.
- Bed-wetting, soiling, or
other related problems.
- Loss of weight or appetite,
or weight gain.
- Problems such as itching,
pain, or soreness in genital or anal areas.
- Unexplained injury of
vagina, rectal opening, penis, or genital areas.
- Signs of physical abuse and
neglect.
- Torn, stained, or bloody underclothes.
- Sexually transmitted
disease, vaginal discharge, etc.
- Pregnancy in a child (Mach , 1994,
p. 4). Gee, that
oughta be a hot clue. You need to separate this stuff out so that the extreme
is not mixed up with the ambiguous. And is Mach the source for all of them.?
If one can answer yes to any or all – this phrase sounds like it’s
right out of a pamphlet. I’d avoid it and make this more scholarly: If the
child exhibits some of these symptoms that should alert . . . .of these
questions then the child should be taken (immediately) to see a doctor. The physician can help alleviate physical
pain or harm and will be able to refer parent and/or guardian to the proper
legal authorities. Professionals will
help refer the child for a medical exam and treatment. Along with behavioral and physical signs of
abuse, there can be emotional signs.
Emotional signs can sometimes be harder to distinguish in children. Some emotional warning signs of abuse in children
are the following:
Emotional Signs:
- Low self-esteem.
- Depression or
withdrawal.
- Feeling hopeless or
helpless.
- Lack of trust.
- Suicidal thoughts or intentions (Mach, 1994, p. 4).
Again the problem with Mach
and the source.
Parents should pay close
attention to changes in their child’s behavior. They should use the warning
signs of abuse as a guideline. Parents
can simply pay close attention to the attire and attitude their child
displays. The child may be unconsciously
attracting a child molester by acting or dressing older than they truly are. Called “blaming the victim” – careful how you say this. Parents and guardians have to be alert and
conscious of their children’s daily activities and whom their children are
spending time with. Parents must have
open lines of communication with their children. Also, teaching children that if anyone
touches their body or tries to make them do things that make them feel funny or
uncomfortable, they should say “NO”
to that individual and tell the parent.
The child can maintain respect and does not have to do things that make
them feel uncomfortable
(Mach 1994). The last paragraph is all
over the place. It’s really just a list, and I’d rather see a paragraph.
Age Breakdown Analysis
Most of the time
children are curious about sex. There is
healthy sexuality in children at different age groups and communication must be
open to discuss and answer questions about what children are feeling. For example, children 5 years and younger
typically have sex language related to the different body parts. Showing and looking at private parts is
common. Unusual behavior in this age group would be discussion of sexual
activities and contact experience with other children. The following are lists of developmental
stages in children:
Avoid the presentation of mere lists. It gives the
thesis a jumpy quality and doesn’t read well. Change to well-developed
paragraphs.
Early Childhood (Ages 2 to 5)
- Boys do not ejaculate until puberty but the other mechanisms still
occur.
- At this age children are of course curious about their bodies. Genital play often occurs
alone or with
peers.
- Negative messages that a child gets regarding self-stimulating or
curiosity are often the earliest causes of later sexual dysfunction. (Master & Johnson,
1970; Calderon, 1978; Money, 1980).
- Children who go to nursery school often are exposed to somewhat sexual
situations. Children may try to kiss
each other, including kids of the same gender (which if a teacher reacts more
distressed at that than at boys and girls kissing this can be the beginnings of
internalized homophobia). Boys pull up
girls’ skirts and children are also interested in bathroom etiquette. This is also the time when children may be
trying out dirty words
( Harwood, 2002, p. 8).
School Age (Pre-Adolescent) Sexuality
- By six or seven most children understand
the anatomical differences between boys
and girls.
Sexual experimentation has
started with children of the same and opposite sexes. This is a way to understand “how others are
different from me” and “how others are the same as me.”
- Harm can come from harsh
parental responses.
- By the ages of eight or
nine, children have awareness of the eroticism of sexuality.
- Masturbation in private and
in groups is common. Attempts at vaginal
oral and anal intercourse happen.
- Peer sexuality is often
between two males though some females may engage in this behavior with males as
well.
- If the child felt coerced,
forced, ashamed and / or got injured he or she may
have repercussions throughout adulthood.
- Early consensual activity
may be more common in males because there is a social double standard because
girls are often cautioned against sexual play or exploration (Harwood, 2002, p. 9).
Sibling Sex
- Sex between siblings is also
not an uncommon phenomenon. While this
activity may be incest, sometimes it simply involves the “look-see” behaviors.
- (Greenwood & Lietenberg,
1989) found that 17% of a college student’s sample of 526 reported having a
sexual experience with a sibling before the age of thirteen. The average age when the
activity was eight and parents were aware only 18% of the time. They found no evidence that pre-adolescent
activity was harmful. They found a low
rate of coercion took place (2% involved force and 6% involved a threat).
- Other studies have found
there was more force involved (25%) and that at least one quarter (25%)
involved siblings who were at least five years apart.
Clinically it is important to find out what childhood sex
including sibling sex means to the client (Harwood, 2002, p. 9). How did
this pop up in here? Clinically? What’s clinical about parole? This is why you
need to go to paragraph form.
Sexual exploration
among children is not uncommon. However,
parents must be able to be aware of age-appropriate behavior versus
inappropriate sexual behavior. Parents
are strongly encouraged to establish rules and teach safety to their
children. The following are guidelines
parents can teach their children to prevent sexual abuse or other types of
abuse:
I’m not happy with these lists.
Teaching Safety
- Establish family rules for
what to do in an emergency.
- Let your child know who
would take care of her in an emergency.
- Teach your child her phone
number and address.
- Know your child
whereabouts.
- Let your child know your
whereabouts and how you can be reached.
- Know your child’s friends,
associates, and employers.
- Check references and get
background information on people to whom you entrust your child: babysitters,
youth-group leaders, coaches, etc.
- Never leave a young child
alone at home, tell older children not to open the door to anyone.
- Never leave your child with
someone you don’t know or trust.
- Don’t leave your children
alone in a car or in any public place.
- Have a “buddy system” so
your child is with someone else while walking home from school, going to the
store, etc.
- Teach your child how to
handle phone calls: never say she’s
alone, and hang up immediately if the call is obscene or scary.
- Teach your child emergency
phone numbers and keep them by the phone.
- Teach your child to avoid
strangers, deserted areas, or places with few exits, such as alleys or
stairways.
- Teach your child to walk
near the curb, facing traffic.
- Tell your child that if a
car approaches to walk away in a direction opposite to the car, and to go
somewhere safe.
- Establish a neighborhood
system of “safe
houses” (of people you know and trust) where children can go if scared or
approached by someone.
- Emphasize that your child and her safety are
more important than property.
- Teach your child that you’d
rather have her “overreact” and be embarrassed, than
“underreact”
and get hurt.
- Teach your child to listen
to her own feelings and judgments about a person or situation, especially when
she’s frightened or uneasy.
- Avoid having your child’s
name, age, address, or picture together where anyone could see it, such as a
newspaper, community directory, or on clothing (Mach,
1994, p. 63-64).
Precautions should be taken
when children are around adults. Too
vague. When a child molestation case is uncovered and an offender
is identified, there are certain fairly predictable reactions by the child
molester. This is especially true of the preferential child molester
(pedophile). Knowledge and anticipation of these reactions will help the
investigation and prosecution of such difficult cases. How?
How do we jump to pedophile defense?
Pedophile Defense:
Denial: is usually the
first reaction of a child molester. The offender may act shocked, surprised, or
even indignant about an allegation of sexual activity with children. He may claim to know nothing about it or,
that he does not remember. He might
admit to an act, but deny the intent as sexual gratification: “Is it a crime to
hug a child? He may imply that his actions were misunderstood, and a mistake
has been made. Relatives, friends, neighbors, and coworkers may aid his
denial. These associates may be
uncooperative and may even hinder police investigation of the offender. In any case, the investigator should
anticipate and not be thrown off by strong initial denial by a suspect (Howitt,
2002).
In any situation, humans
naturally or by learned behavior do not want to take responsibility for
wrongdoing. The molester attempts to
minimize the sexual act, that way he or she doesn’t have to take
responsibility. Take a look at the
following case (The State of South Carolina vs. Edward M. Fischer) that took
place in Charleston
County and see the similarities and differences between child molestation and
pedophilia.
No foundation laid for jump to case study. And the similarities and differences should
be pointed out by the author. This is not a classroom exercise for teachers.
Porter-Gaud on Trial:
On October 25, 2002 a Charleston County jury consisting of 7 men and 5 women took just 10 minutes to find Porter-Gaud School and two school leaders grossly negligent in their mishandling of former
teacher, Edward Fischer. To help you
better understand the magnitude and scope of this case, depositions and
discovery items will be displayed in a similar way as they were displayed to
the jury members. The central figures in
this case are Edward Fisher, and James Bishop Alexander. Edward Fisher taught
at Porter-Gaud School between 1972 and 1982. Fisher was asked to resign in 1982 after he
molested John Doe 1982. Upon leaving Porter-Gaud School, Fisher went on to teach at numerous schools in Charleston County. He was convicted in April of
last year for molesting 13 boys between 1959 and 1997. Later, after his convictions, Edward Fisher
admitted to molesting nearly 50 young boys over a 40-year period. The majority of these victims were students
at Porter-Gaud during Fisher’s 10-year tenure there (The State of South Carolina vs.
Edward M. Fischer, A Transcript, April 23, 1999; Porter-Gaud
on Trial: (www.geocites.com/child/molestation.htm. August 6, 2002).
James Bishop Alexander
plays a central role in all lawsuits that were brought against Porder-Gaud.
Alexander was principal of Porter-Gaud’s upper school and Edward Fisher’s
immediate supervisor. It was Alexander
that had direct knowledge regarding Fisher’s sexual misconduct with a student
in 1973, 1979, and 1982. On October 17, 2000 John Doe 1979 made a startling confession (The State of South Carolina
vs. Edward M. Fischer, A Transcript – April 23, 1999; Porter-Gaud on Trial:
www.geocites.com/child/molestation.htm. August 6, 2002. The 37-year old admitted in open court that
Alexander was at Fisher’s home while he was being molested. John Doe 1979, a 16
year old at the time, testified that he specifically recalls waking up in
Fisher’s bed naked. At the doorway to the bedroom he recalled seeing Fisher in
his underwear talking to James Alexander.
Despite this knowledge, Alexander did nothing between 1973 and 1982 to
prevent Fisher from molesting more students.
Not only did he fail to act, but he also went on to recklessly promote
Edward Fisher to future employers after 1982.
The evidence provided below will also offer a motive as to why Alexander
sought to cover-up the sexual misconduct of Edward Fisher. Billy Baker, who is now 54-year old, has
testified in deposition and open court that he was molested for many years at
the hand of James Bishop Alexander. Billy
Baker has also testified the he is aware of others who have been molested by Alexander (The State
of South Carolina vs. Edward M. Fischer, A Transcript - April 23, 1999; Porter-Gaud on Trial:
www.geocites.com/child/molestation.htm. Not right format. August 6, 2002.
Continuation of thesis??
James Alexander retired from Porter-Gaud School in 1994 after a 36-year career there.
In late April of 1998, he died of self-inflicted gun shot would to the
chest. James Alexander committed suicide
just three days before he was scheduled to give a sworn testimony regarding
these lawsuits. In October 2000,
Alexander was found to be “grossly negligent” by a Charleston County jury
because of his involvement in the mishandling of convicted pedophile Edward
Fisher (The State of South Carolina vs.
Edward M. Fischer, A Transcript - April 23, 1999; Porter-Gaud on Trial:
www.geocites.com/child/molestation.htm. August 6, 2002, Child
Molestation and Pedophilia have been running rampant
within our society for hundreds of years and not until most recently have
children been able to get justice for crimes that were done or have been done
against them. Trying to understand the
mentality of a child molester and a pedophile can be strenuous, but it is good
to know that there are studies that are being done to help provide treatment to
offenders and their victims. Inappropriate spot for your conclusion.
Definition of Terms
Child Abuse: Regular assault inflicted on a
young child, often by parents, endangering the child’s life, health, and
welfare. Excessive psychological
mistreatment can also be considered child abuse (Dressler, 2002, p. 1693).
Child Molestation: Any sexual solicitation, contact,
or intercourse of an adult with a child; usually refers to children below the
age of puberty. Child molestation can be
heterosexual or homosexual
(Dressler, 2002, p. 1693).
Child Molester: One who
injures or has questionable dealing with a child. The child molester who is a sexual deviate is
termed a pedophile. The victim may be
subject to rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, or murder (Rush, 2000, p. 94).
Conditions of Parole: The author of this thesis defines
this term as an inmate who is released from a California prison, who will go supervised parole for a term of three years. This time can be extended for an additional
year, depending on the case.
Corrections: All rules and regulations,
agencies, facilities, programs, procedures, techniques and their underlying
philosophical foundation, concerned with the supervision and treatment of
alleged or adjudicated offenders as delinquents (Dressler, 2002, p. 1693).
Danielle Van Dam: She’s not
a term! How does
this fit in here? Early in the morning of February 02, 2002, a seven year-old, Danielle Van Dam disappeared from her bedroom in her San Diego (California) home. Within a couple of days,
David Westerfield, a neighbor emerged as the only non-family suspect: On the morning of Danielle’s disappearance,
he’d driven out to the nearby desert.
Westerfield was arrested on February 22, 2002 and charged with murder, kidnapping, and possession of child pornography
on February 26,
2002.
On February 27, 2002, Danielle’s
body was found in the desert. The condition
of the body made it impossible to determine the time and manner of her death,
or whether she’d been molested. Based on
the fact that some of Danielle’s teeth appeared to have been knocked out, the
prosecution believes she suffocated by having something suffered into her
mouth.
Prosecution evidence included
fiber samples (a match between the blanket used to wrap Danielle’s body and
fibers found in Westerfield’s motor home), Danielle’s hair and fingerprints
were found in the motor home, and a small amount of Danielle’s blood on
Westerfield’s jacket (which the prosecution calls “the smoking gun”). Prosecution non-evidence (designed to sway
the jurors) included Westerfield’s child pornography collection and his
“unusual behavior” in the days following Danielle’s abduction. Defense non-evidence (designed to sway the
jurors) included graphic discussions of Danielle’s parents’ sexual activities
and drug use. Disputed evidence: A
parade of forensic entomologists telling the jury (to the point of both boring
and repelling them) when they deduce Danielle’s body was left in the desert,
based on the insect infestation. The
defense summation: The case is
circumstantial…the killer could have been one of Damon and Brenda Van Dam’s
many sex partners…the killer had to have been somebody Danielle knew well…and
even if is Westerfield did it, there’s no evidence Danielle wasn’t murdered on
the spot, eliminating the “kidnapping” charge and, therefore the possibly that
the death penalty will be imposed.
Bickel, B. (February 2, 2003).
<http://crime.about.com/library/blfiles/bldaniellevandam.htm>
Incest: Illegal sexual activity between
two persons closely related by blood or marriage. Various societies have indicted the specific
relationships forbidden as incestuous.
These almost invariably include parent-child and sibling relationships,
and sometimes uncle-niece, aunt-nephew, and grandparent-grandchild
relationships, as well as those with a brother-in-law, sister-in-law,
mother-in-law, or father-in-law (Dressler, 2002, p. 1701).
Megan’s Law: A control strategy named after 7
year-old Megan Kanka of Hamilton Town-Ship, N.J, who was murdered in 1994. A convicted sex offender who lived across the
street from the Kanka family was accused of the crime. In response to her parent’s outrage that no
one had warned them about their neighbor’s past, New Jersey passed a law mandating notification to a community when a convicted sex
offender moves in, with different levels of notification required for different
levels of offense. On July 1, 1996, a New Jersey Federal District judge upheld the central aspects of
Megan’s Law. A 1994 Federal law included
provisions allowing for, but not requiring, similar notification when a sex
offender is released from prison. Forty-seven
states have laws requiring registration of convicted child molesters; 30 have
programs to warn communities when offenders to move in,
and 15 states require community notification.
In 1997, California had about 63, 000 registered sex offenders; 1 of every 190 adult males
in the state is convicted and registered sex offender (Rush, 2000, p. 176).
Offender: One who has been convicted of
criminal offense; unless specifically stated otherwise, he or she is presumed
to be an adult (Dressler,
2002, p. 1707).
Parole: The status of an offender
conditionally released from a correctional institution before completion of his
maximum prison sentence. A paroled
offender is placed under supervision of an authorized agency and subjected to
restrictions, violation of which may result in revocation of parole (Dressler, 2002, p.
1707).
Pedophile: One who indulges in pedophilia (Rush, 2000,
p. 251).
Pedophila: The use of a minor for sexual
gratification by an adult
(Rush, 2000, p. 251).
Parole Agent: (or parole officer) – An employee
of a parole agency whose primary duties are the supervision of parolees and
pre-parole investigation or planning (Rush,
2000, p. 243).
Penal Code: The criminal code of
jurisdiction. It defines criminal
conduct and defenses there to and determines the punishment to be imposed
(Dressler, 2002, p. 1708).
Samantha Runnion (Runyon): Five year-old Orange County (California) girl, abducted as she played in front of her house – on a quiet
residential street – the evening of July 15, 2002. Her body was found the following
day. An autopsy revealed she’d been
sexually molested and asphyxiated.
Police suspected it was the work of a serial rapist who would strike
again, partly because her body seemed to have been deliberately left where it
would be quickly found. Based in part on
tips from the public, Alejandro Avila was arrested on July 19, 2002 and charged with kidnapping, murder, and sex crimes on July 22, 2002. The medial has learned that
forensic evidence ties Avila to Samantha’s murder. Avila could face the death penalty. Avila is scheduled to stand trial January 12, 2004. Bickel, B. (February 2, 2003).
<http://crime.about.com/library/blfiles/blsamantharunnion.htm>
Sex Crime: (sex offense) Prohibited and
legally punishable behavior such as rape, sodomy, or carnal abuse of children
(Dressler, 2002, p. 1714).
290 Registrant: The author of this thesis defines
this term as a sex offender (per Megan’s
Law) is required to register as a sex offender with local Law Enforcement
agencies within 5 days of release from custody, change of address, and birthday
for life,
per Section 290
of the California Penal Code. (West's
California Codes, Penal Code, 1998).
A Justice Site
jeannecurran@habermas.org
STEALING INNOCENCE: A PAROLE AGENT'S PERSPECTIVE