Domestic Violence‎

One out of every 3 girls and 1 out of every 5 to 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. In the majority of cases, the perpetrator is someone known to the child and/or family members and is usually someone they trust. These abused children range in age from the tiniest infant to the toughest teenager on up to elder abuse survivors. They look like you and I. Unfortunately, only a very small percent of abuse victims will ever tell anyone. They are afraid. They are ashamed. They are afraid that a loved one will be hurt or killed. They are afraid that someone they love will go to jail. They are afraid no one will believe them. They are afraid the abuse will get worse. Imagine that…

  Will my DSS trial be civil or criminal? It will be a civil trial. Will a jury be used in my trial? No. Your case will be heard by a judge. You are not entitled to a jury trial in a DSS matter. The judge will issue his or her decision at the end of your trial. Is my trial open to the public? In order to protect the children involved, your trial is closed to the public.

Abuse is any action that creates a substantial injury or a risk of injury to a child. Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional . Physical abuse happens when a child is hurt through beating, shaking, kicking, burning or other types of bodily harm. A child can end up suffering from bruises, fractured or broken bones, internal injuries or even death. When children are denied the basic necessities they need to thrive, it is also considered physical abuse as well. Infants born addicted to drugs are physically abused, too.

The stress of a false allegation and its consequences (e.g., DSS involvement, possible criminal charges, removal of your children) can take a toll on the strongest relationship and can push you to the breaking point. Now more than ever you will need your family, friends, and loved ones for their emotional support and understanding.

Sexual abuse can and does occur. It behooves all of us to educate our children and ourselves to fight this heinous crime. False allegations of sexual abuse also can and do occur. These cause unspeakable pain and expense to the accused and trivialize those genuine occurrences of sexual abuse.

Find answers to some of the often-asked questions regarding child sexual abuse cases in the news . Read more about child abuse investigations and why so many fail to protect children who are being physically abused, sexually abused, and/or neglected. Join the dialog as you read more about what everyone can do, individually and as a whole, about child sexual abuse and our response to it. PRESS RELEASE

Emotional Injury hurts a child's mental development. It occurs when attitudes or actions repeatedly happen in a family that negatively effect the way a child feels about him/herself. This can impair a youngster's behavior and ability to function. Emotional abuse happens in all kinds of ways. A lack of love and support can be devastating. This can take the form of emotional detachment or a severe lack of affection. Extremely harsh, critical treatment of a child can cause emotional injury, too. This can include severe punishment, verbal assaults that may include belittling or scapegoating and rejection.