How Domestic Violence Affects Child Abuse
Domestic Violence as a Gateway for Child Abuse
The crime of Domestic Violence is classified as any type of abuse assault undertaken by one member of a cohabitant partnership unto another member of that same partnership; this may include married couples, intimate partners, or individuals sharing a residence with regard to the participation in a romantic relationship. Studies illustrate that Domestic Violence can occur within a variety of settings and forms; similarly, this is a nature shared within the classification of child abuse, as well – domestic violence can manifest itself in a variety of physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological forms.
Children are Victims of Domestic Violence Offenses
The classification of Domestic Violence charges and offenses are rarely uniform; akin to the classification of both victims and perpetrators of child abuse, involved parties within Domestic Violence offenses are neither specific to sexual orientation nor marital status, gender, race, creed, religion, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status ā simply put, all forms of domestic abuse can take place without limit:
Primarily, the subjection of children to domestic violence is considered a crime in and of itself; the witness of domestic violence may result in the traumatization of a child, resulting in psychological and emotional damage
The notion of threat and duress within instances of domestic violence commonly prove to be detrimental for a child, in addition to the trauma and damage sustained; the domestic violence offender may pose threats involving potential harm and damage in the event that a child reports the activity witnessed as domestic violence ā this action alone can be classified as emotional child abuse
The presence of domestic violence within a household portrays a negative influence with regard to the raising of children, which results from neglect, disrespect, and violence; studies have demonstrated that children produced from households in which domestic violence has taken place are prone to repeat such behavior
Domestic Violence Offenses
As previously stated, the nature of abuse transcends a uniform method of categorization; while primary classifications of domestic violence exist, the events and undertakings involved are quite expansive and specific:
Physical Domestic Violence
Domestic violence – in its physical form – constitutes abuse or assault sustained by one or both members of a romantic partnership
Emotional and Psychological Domestic Violence
This type of Domestic violence constitutes verbal abuse or assault sustained by one or both members of a cohabitation partnership, including the use of insult, threats, and manipulation
Sexual Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence in its sexual form constitutes sexual abuse sustained by one or both members of a romantic partnership, including spousal rape, sexual abuse, and sexual assault
Man Gets 245 Years for Videotaping and Drugging Children
On November 6, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri announced that a man from Kansas City was sentenced to 245 years in prison for drugging and molesting a total of 13 children and videotaping some of the sexual abuse.
David M. Ketchmark, the Acting US Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, stated: “We’re satisfied that an extremely dangerous sexual predator is guaranteed to spend the rest of his life in prison. . . .The serial abuser will never victimize another child for the rest of his life.”
Ketchmark admitted that the victims were between 6 and 13 years old, and he stated the abuse started in 1997. All of the abuse occurred at his residence, and most of the videos were recorded in his basement.
He told authorities that he gave the victims sleeping pills—even Ambien. The pills were placed in ice cream and soda that he gave to the victims. The victims were videotaped in bed as they were unconscious and subject to different kinds of molestation. Edwards also admitted that he used his son to lure potential victims to his home. He encouraged his son to have sleepovers, and some of the victims remember having ice cream eating contests at his home.
Government evidence indicates that Edwards had videos, pictures, and documents on his computer that related to the molestations. Authorities also found a document called “How to Molest Young Girls” that gave instructions about specific dosage amounts for children and more.
Edward was caught by authorities after two different stings in May and June of 2009. The FBI, the Independence Police Department, and the Heart of America Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory were in charge of the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Fincham was in charge of prosecution.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Former Peace Corps Volunteer Gets 15 Years
On October 11, 2012, the ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for South Africa announced that Jesse Osmun was sentenced to 180 months in prison for crimes during his time as a Peace Corps volunteer. He received the prison sentence and 10 years of supervised release for sexually abusing four girls under the age of 6 while volunteering in South Africa.
U.S. Embassy Pretoria Chargé d’Affairs Virginia E. Palmer stated, “This case has shown that both the United States and South Africa have no tolerance when it comes to the abuse of innocent children. Through close collaboration between U.S. and South African law enforcement officials we have been able to close this sad case and bring justice to this criminal. Our heart goes out to the young victims involved.”
Osmun became a Peace Corps volunteer in 2010 and began working at a non-governmental organization (NGO) in South Africa. The organization provided education, food and more to children in the area, and many of these children were orphans.
Osmun was confronted by his program director about allegations of sexual abuse in May of 2011, and he quickly resigned from the Peace Corps. He returned to the United States on June 2 of 2011, and HSI quickly began an investigation into the allegations with help from the South African Police Service and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations.
During the investigation, it was found the Osmun encouraged the young girls to engage in sexual acts by persuading them with candy and offering to play games. The abuse occurred about twice a week over 5 months.
Osmun was arrested at his home in Milford, Connecticut on June 27, 2012. He has remained detained since his arrest, and he has pleaded guilty to his charges.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
