Hill Country no stranger to sexual abuse cases involving children

Though many believe that children residing in the city and county of Lampasas are protected from some crimes reported almost daily in larger cities, the number of rural youths who become victims at the hands of adults is high.

Lampasas Chief of Police Sammy Bailey said last year more than 26,000 children in Texas were sexually abused.

Local youths who are sexually abused are taken to the Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center in Burnet for an initial interview.

In 2006, the Lampasas Police Department sent 27 youngsters to the center, while 12 from the county were transported to Burnet.

"In light of ongoing coverage of various child sex-abuse cases, it's understandable that many parents may be feeling especially concerned about the safety of their children and may be wondering how they can protect their child from being sexually abused," Ms. Bailey said.

Wendell Teltow, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Texas, a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent child abuse in all its forms, explained that parents should know there is no single psychological profile of a sex offender.

"Myths suggest that only `dirty old men' are sexual predators, but the reality is that anyone in a position of authority and with access to children can abuse a child," he said.

Ms. Bailey said the majority of sexual-abuse perpetrators are people the child knows and trusts. Teltow agrees and recommends parents be particularly cautious about those close to their child who do any of the following:

• treat children as property by grabbing them, forcing attention and affection, tickling excessively, and showing disrespect for children's requests and privacy.

• relate to children in a sexual or seductive manner.

• use gifts and favors as the main way of relating to children.

• entice children into their homes or into activities with them, or show excessive friendliness.

Many sex offenders will not display any signs that indicate they are a danger to children, said Teltow. While the public tends to pay a lot of attention to identified sex offenders in the community, it is important to realize the majority of sex offenders in communities have not been identified, he added.

"We need to take steps to ensure the safety of children in all aspects of their lives, realizing that the 'unidentified threat' is greater than the small percentage of people who have been identified as sex offenders."

Teltow said parents should teach their children personal safety skills. "We need to take primary responsibility for keeping children safe. The best strategy for prevention is for adults to supervise children and their relationships with others. Parents can't control everything having to do with their child, but they can be alert to potentially dangerous situations."

Following are some ways to help prevent child sexual abuse.

• Teach children about sexual abuse prevention just as they are taught other safety guidelines. Bring the subject into daily life and make it a part of ongoing talks with children, rather than presenting it as a one-time-only lecture that will scare them instead of educate and empower them.

• Encourage children to talk. They should feel they can come to parents to discuss anything, no matter how big or small. Children must be free to ask about adult behavior that confuses them, even when it is behavior not related to sexual abuse.

• Pay attention when children act "different" around certain people. Use what you observe to start a conversation with the child, such as "I notice you get very quiet when Uncle John is around. Are you feeling uncomfortable around him?" Let children know they can approach you anytime if they feel uncomfortable around someone, and that you will listen and try to help.

• Teach children the first rule of safety: Before they can go anywhere, they must tell a parent where they are going, who they will be with and when they will be back.

• Supervise children's use of the Internet. It can be used by sex offenders to form relationships with children who they then meet up with later.

• Make it clear to children how they can reach you or someone they trust at all times. Help them identify a safety network of people they can talk to about their feelings.

• Teach children what to do if they feel unsafe. Practice with them ways to deal with certain situations.

• Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, pay attention to your feelings and check into any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Ms. Bailey said failure to report sexual abuse of a child is a criminal offense.

"If a person observes the commission of an offense or felony and fails to assist a child or immediately report an offense, there are consequences," said the Lampasas assistant chief.

A person commits an offense if he or she has cause to believe a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been affected by abuse or neglect and they fail to report it.

Ms. Bailey said it is a Class B misdemeanor which can result in a fine of up to $2,000 and/or confinement in jail for as many as 180 days.

"This is what usually gets filed against a person who knows about the abuse but they didn't report it because they didn't want go get a family member in trouble," she said.

"Oftentimes, they think they can protect the child but usually end up putting the child in harm's way even more, or they are in denial and just do not believe the child's claim.

"The bottom line is they knew of the assault and failed to report it."

A Class A misdemeanor can result from failure to stop or report aggravated sexual assault of a child, with a penalty of up to $4,000 and jail time of up to one year.

For more information, Ms. Bailey said to contact Prevent Child Abuse Texas at (800)-CHILDREN or visit www.preventchild abusetexas.org.