Topic : 07/15 Is There a Predator in the House?

I am a mother of a beautiful little boy. He's only 16months old but i worry for him. In the last one month there have been over 25-30 reported cases of child abuse here in Sydney, Australia. Some of the children were just 18months old. The latest victim 4 years old raped by her 26year old baby sitter. These crimes are been committed all the time.A new study in Australia showed that these child abusers were everywhere. Some were doctors, teachers, lawyers....  What kind of criminal justice system lets these predators roam around amongst our children? And even if they are convicted of these crimes - of what use is it? The sentence given is never carried out till full term and they are released into society within a few years. And all this based on "good behavior" and getting adequate therapy. These monsters cannot be reformed and should not be allowed to be around our children. Is every country in the world facing this problem? Being a parent to me means that until the child that you brought into this world, is adult enough to look out for himself.... you are their shelter, their protection. You are the one that they turn to for unconditional love, guidance and support. If we fail to provide these simple needs for our children by putting our own whimsical, sentimental needs before their needs then what hope do these children have? Even still - why have children at all if you cannot handle the responsibility.

I am the mother of two beautiful children.  My son is 11 and my daughter is 5.  She is co-parented, spending 3 1/2  days with each parent.  One night while giving my daughter a bath, she  began to scream in pain stating that her "bum" hurt.  She was referring to her vagina.  I took her out of the bath and put cornstarch powder on her to ease the pain.  While doing this, I asked her if she hurt herself riding a bike or playing.  She replied "no".  I asked if anyone had touched her there.  She replied "yes".  I could feel my heart sink.  I further questioned her as to who touched her and she replied, without hesitation, that "daddy put his finger in my bum and it hurt".  It felt as though my heart had been ripped out of my chest.  This occurred on December 18, 2006, one month before her 4th birthday.  The following day, I did what any concerned parent would do in this situation.  I contacted the local police department and met with a detective who contacted the district attorney's office.  They set up a meeting for me to bring my daughter to see if she would disclose anything to them.  Before this meeting, I contacted her pediatrician who examined her.  He did not find any visible signs of abuse. Later that day, we attended the meeting.  This meeting took place in a room with, my daughter, the detective, a person from the department of social services, the assistant district attorney and at least four other people in a room with a two way mirro and cameras and monitors.  I was not allowed to be in the room with her.  My daughter did not disclose anything to them.  From there I went to the court to file for an emergency motion for custody until the department of social services (DSS) could investigate the allegations.  The judge would not allow my motion.  I left feeling frustrated and helpless.

I have had my daughter in counseling for over a year now.  She has disclosed to two psychologists what she disclosed to me.  Two 51A's were filed by each psychologist.  The first was investigated, but closed due to lack of evidence and she was ordered back to her abuser.  The second was immediately screened out. 

I can not describe the feeling of knowing that the man she calls her father is allowed to still have visitations with his daughter.  I agree with the rest of you who feel that children, especially that young, do not have the capability of making that up.  It seems the system is more concerned about falsely accusing a man of such a terrible accusation or that they believe that I made it up to get revenge on him.  In no way did I lead my daughter or put her up to it.  I would never subject my daughter to what she has been through just to get even. 

I have written letters, I have made phone calls to specialists and professionals and no one seems to be able to help us.

Recently, while on a family vacation, my daughter was exhibiting bizarre behaviors indicitive of a child who has been violated.  In addition, she stated that this has happened at least six times (and probably more).  I contacted her counselor with this new information and she validated my concerns about these behaviors and statements. 

Isn't it better to err on the side of caution to open an investigation to protect my daughter from a lifetime of torture than to just toss her aside like she is not worth the time or money to do so?  Given what is going on in the country with children being abused, I feel something should be done to take it more seriously. The system seems to be designed to protect the abusers and not the children.  When will it be enough to do something?  When will my daughter get the help she needs?  Who do you turn to when all the facts are there, but for the mere fact that she has not disclosed it to the district attorney, we are not being protected?

I can not imagine a mother not believing her child and siding with a stepfather or biological father.  This disgusts me.  Part of our job of being a parent is to listen to our children and protect them from anyone or anything.

The court and DSS have failed miserably in doing enough to protect my little girl.  We live in the State of Massachusetts where the department of social services in this area has been under scruitiny for a long time due to the many instances where it was clearly a case of sexual or physical abuse and nothing was done.  Many of these children have since died or are living the rest of their lives scarred and remain in the home with their abuser. If anyone can relate to my story or has any advice on what I can do to help her, I would greatly appreciate any help.  I would just like to add that her father has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and does not take medication nor does he seek professional help for it.  He also comes from a family who are all mentally unstable.  His mother is on medication for mental illness, his sister is on the same and has, in the past, been given shock treatments for her illness.  I believe it goes back even farther to grandparents, etc.

Not shocked at all, if a person of 18 has sex with a person under the age of 18 they are committing a crime.

States rules change what is  age of concent, and ignorance of the law is no excuse.

I think if anyone puts their children knowingly in harms way and lets a sex offender move in should be thown in prison too.

This is the only crime I know of that  act the sickness could pass on to the victim. When are the laws going to catch up and stop the cycle.

Scott is molesting this little boy, I believe wholeheartedly that he, without a doubt, is verbally and mentally abusing this boy, as is his mother. It is so obvious when you look at his facial expressions, as well as the "act" put on for the home cameras placed by the Dr. Phil show. The grandmother stated that the boy was putting his hand over her mouth and threatening her and pointing his finger right in her face. There's only one place children learn how to do that and that is by actions from their parents. I have two children and whatever I do, they do. They mock their parents. That's just what kids do. Right now, this little boy is at his most vulnerable learning phase where his complete social and relationship skills are developed (between the ages of 2 and 6). I think that Dr. Phil shouldn't be blinded by this Scott guy's horrible impression of a loving father figure. The grandmother should put hidden cameras in the daughter's house and then we'd see what things are like behind closed doors. I'd like to see a follow-up on this one because I guarantee that Scott is hurting this boy by teasing him and being mean to him. I think Scott has a little jealousy issue with the relationship of the little boy and his mother.

It absolutely blows my mind how many women are so desperate for a man that they would choose these loser sex-offenders (and others just as bad) to drag into their homes with their young children!

Checking someone out is only a mouse click away....and if you don't protect yourself and your kids from any piece of crap out there by taking this simple step, shame on you! It's just common sense.

Don't you dumb women realize that sex offenders are looking for women just like you....desperate, needy, clingy, air-headed, naive...with young children they can just swoop in on. And you go like lambs to the slaughter. By the time you open your eyes and see what's what, it's too late. They have forever destroyed the lives of the children you put in their path.

Oh yeah..dingbats like you are a pediphile's wet dream!! 

Although you do make some good points, what you are not choosing to acknowledge is the fact that a child below the age (and often above) 18 does not have the emotional maturity to consent to sex! They may think they do, but they don't...that's why there are laws in place to protect them. Just because their hormones are raging does not mean they know what to do with those hormones!  It's a fact that people's brains do not physically mature until around 25....especially males....which is why you see them do so many dumb things below that age. 

Children at ages younger than 18 just don't have the capacity to predict the consequences of their behavior...therefore, it's up to the adult to know better than to fall into bed with a willing, but underage baby! No excuses.

By the way, I don't know where you are getting your information, but I don't know of any 10 year olds who have had to register as a sex offender...or anyone else below the age of 18!