Child Abuse?

[sweetnpetite]

Who was abused and who was the abuser???

State Attorneys Investigating School for Handling of Sex Acts
3/15/2004

http://www.wcjb.com/news.asp?id=9384


By Mike Price, Marion County Bureau Reporter


Police have already arrested and charged two West Port High school students amid allegations of performing sex acts in the classroom. Now, WCJB TV 20 has learned prosecutors are investigating how school employees handled the matter.


Under Florida law, when there's a minor suspected of a sexual offense it becomes a child abuse case. And prosecutors aren't sure if school employees notified the state's Department of Children and Families like they're required to do.


Ocala Police arrested the two students after a 15-year-old girl allegedly performed oral sex on her 14-year-old male classmate during an in-class movie. The teens face charges of lewd and lascivious behavior. Florida law defines the alleged sex acts as a form of child abuse -- requiring school employees to report it immediately to DCF's Abuse Hotline.


Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway says their office has already interviewed two school employees and reviewed the teens' court cases to see whether or not the employees did their job. Ridgway, however, would not grant us an on-camera interview.


"I don't want to point a finger at anyone who may or may not have committed a violation of Florida Statutes," Ridgway said.


Prosecutors tell us they'll most likely have the results of this investigation by the end of the week.

 

[sweetnpetite]

It seems to me that the kids should be punished for what they did as it was obviously inappropriate, but how does child abuse figure into this???

Reminds me of something we were talking about on a previous thread, but I can't remember which one.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I can see how they could both be charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, but I also don't see how "child abuse" can be charged. You would have to charge them with abusing each other, making each of them both a perp. and a victim which is truly ludicrous. Try to figure out bureaucracy!

 

[sweetnpetite]

I can see how they could both be charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, but I also don't see how "child abuse" can be charged. You would have to charge them with abusing each other, making each of them both a perp. and a victim which is truly ludicrous. Try to figure out bureaucracy!

I think that they are charging the *school* with child abuse! For not responding appropriatly or whatever. But I'm not even sure of that. IN order to charge abuse- shouldn't they have to show that someone was abused???

 

[Guest]

I think that they are charging the *school* with child abuse! For not responding appropriatly or whatever. But I'm not even sure of that. IN order to charge abuse- shouldn't they have to show that someone was abused???

I think it's because it happened on school premises, during a lesson!!!

It is pretty shocking, that it actually happened, and I can see why there are so many grey areas. But, that kind of behavior should not be allowed in school, ever! And, those children were the responsibility of the school at the time; the school should be held responsible, to a certain degree.

Lou

Edited to add a P.S., before somebody jumps on me. I'm not saying that the school actually "allowed" it to happen, but I am saying that the school should've dealt with it in a more responsible way, and should never have let the circumstances occur where it could happen in the first place.

 

[dirtylover]

kids do stuff like that all the time in the school I work at, drugs too, think it's quite common - just better for the school to stay hushed up...

 

[sweetnpetite]

I think it's because it happened on school premises, during a lesson!!!

It is pretty shocking, that it actually happened, and I can see why there are so many grey areas. But, that kind of behavior should not be allowed in school, ever! And, those children were the responsibility of the school at the time; the school should be held responsible, to a certain degree.

Lou

Edited to add a P.S., before somebody jumps on me. I'm not saying that the school actually "allowed" it to happen, but I am saying that the school should've dealt with it in a more responsible way, and should never have let the circumstances occur where it could happen in the first place.

I agree with all that you have said. But child abuse- I don't think so. No body should ever be charged with child abuse unless there is *abuse of a child* involved. No children were abused, so it's a rediculous charge.

 

[Weird Harold]

I agree with all that you have said. But child abuse- I don't think so. No body should ever be charged with child abuse unless there is *abuse of a child* involved. No children were abused, so it's a rediculous charge.

I don't think they're investigating the school administration for possible Child Abuse but for failing to report the symptoms of possible child abuse.

I think the requirement for reporting such activity as "child abuse" stems from the theory that the children's open sexual activity are possible symptoms of them being abused children at home -- children who are abused at home are often less than discreet about sexual activities outside the home.

I think it's a stupid law that is based on a flawed theory about the psychology of abused children, but it IS the law and the school should have followed it.

 

[kellycummings]

I'm the biggest critic of the public school system there is but I really have to be on their side with this. There is no way to stop kids from doing stupid things, no matter how hard you try. To find them at fault for not reporting a case like this seems silly. They have enough to worry about. I'm sure they did what they thought was right at the time. The law seems to be a bit obscure anyway so I would imagine that the school wasn't even aware of it.
And everyone is right, it's dumb to call something like this 'child abuse.' Who got abused? Sounds like consentual sex between minors and if they are gonna call that abuse then there are a whole lot of teenagers out there being abused.

 

[A7inchPhildo]

Sweet this is not really a great topic.

The Florida statute chapter#827basically says if the person Male or female is under the age of 18 they can not engage nor be shown or discuss sexually explicit material. Reguardless both involved are under age they are both guilty.

a) "Deviate sexual intercourse" means sexual conduct between persons not married to each other consisting of contact between the penis and the anus, the mouth and the penis, or the mouth and the vulva.

It is a zero tollerance law meaning age has no effect to the guilty.

Here is the stupid part "amendment" if a child has consent of both parents or legal guardian they can be married at the age of 16 but other than for marital purpose the law remains the same until that person reaches 18.


Ok as far as the school goes they are guilty both under Florida and Federal law for not reporting to authorities of the information they had in their knowledge.
A caregiver's failure to make a reasonable effort to protect a child from abuse, neglect, or exploitation by another person.
Neglect of a child may be based on repeated conduct or on a single incident or omission that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, serious physical or mental injury, or a substantial risk of death, to a child.


Basically now they are guilty for contributing to the child abuse. Even though indirectly they are not responsible, yes they are guilty of hiding the truth and not doing the job they agreed to as caretakers of the youth. If the school is willing to hide such happenings as this from parents and authorities. What else do they hide?

http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos/

http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index.cfm?Mode=ViewStatutes&Submenu=-1