DETROIT – Inside the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, Sarah Smiatacz told the court, “He violated my soul.” She was talking about 43-year-old Jose Rangel. Normally Action News does not identify victims in cases of sexual abuse but Sarah wanted to get her story out . “When you sentence him today, don’t think of him as my father. He is not my father,” she said. Rangel faced the judge to receive his sentence. He will spend no more than a year in a work release program at the Wayne County Jail. He will also serve three years probation as part of a plea agreement for pleading guilty to second degree criminal sexual conduct.

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http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/wayne_county/a-year-of-jail-time-for-a-man-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-daughter-for-ten-years#ixzz1YQmGQfS9

Working with victims of physical, sexual and mental abuse is an area filled with difficultly. It becomes even harder when dealing with children. For Mary Jo McVeigh, a counselor and child trauma expert, who has worked with children for over 25 years, it was a random interaction between her pet dog and a young client that opened her eyes to a new approach, one which is producing unexpected results.

Kenya Gilliam received six sentences of life in prison Friday after she was convicted of raping a boy over five years. One of the boy’s relatives was in a lesbian relationship with Gilliam. Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Jody Luebbers imposed the sentences on Gilliam after she was convicted Aug. 25 of six counts of rape of a child. Because the victim was younger than 13 when the rapes happened, the crimes carried a potential life sentence. The judge imposed a life sentence on each.

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http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/211178/81/Woman-gets-six-life-sentences-for-rape-of-child

There are no quick and easy answers to the wounds left by childhood sexual abuse but you can find healing. This site is for those who are committed to the long road to healing and peace. The journey to healing from sexual abuse is not quick or easy. If you are able, try to find some help in your walk through the abuse. No one should have to go through this alone. Finding a good counselor or mentor is almost essential to your healing.

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http://myjourney.homestead.com/index.html

More than three decades have passed since sisters “Mary” and “Sarah” had their childhood innocence stolen at the hands of their father. It was 1977 when, unbeknown to each of the sisters, Francis Joseph Grego began subjecting each of the then young children to sordid sexual abuse. “Mary” and “Sarah” have chosen not to use their real names, saying they want to protect their young children.

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http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/10282913

TALLAHASSEE, FL- Giving your child a single spank doesn’t qualify as domestic violence, an appellate court ruled Friday. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal unanimously reversed an injunction for protection against domestic violence.

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http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/211162/19/Fla-Court-1-spank-isn39t-domestic-violence

BENBROOK, Texas – Family members of a 14-month-old baby say they saw signs of abuse before his death Thursday evening and offered to take care of him full time. But they say their offer was declined. In fact, there was nothing the Ferrell family says they wouldn’t do for their grandson Kamden Lee Bailey. They were especially delighted when the child woke up from a nap.

CHEYENNE — More cases involving sex crimes against children are being prosecuted in Laramie County than in the past, officials say. But it may not be because there are more offenders. “The community is a little more aware of the nature of sex crimes,” forensic interviewer Lynn Huylar said. “People are more apt to make reports.”

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http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2011/09/18/news/19local_09-18-11.txt

TULSA, OK — The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has paid about $3.4 million since 2005 to settle lawsuits for child deaths and neglect, according to a newspaper report. The Tulsa World reported (http://bit.ly/p3nfHw ) Sunday said there have been 24 payouts ranging from $15,000 to settle a civil rights violations lawsuit by parents whose children were placed in emergency custody to $700,000 for the death of a child at a child care center.

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http://www.chron.com/news/article/Okla-DHS-pays-3-4M-to-settle-lawsuits-since-2005-2176724.php

ST. PETERSBURG – Authorities in Pinellas County have arrested a 23-year-old St. Petersburg man in connection with an August child abuse case. Rother Lee Pierce was booked into the Pinellas County Jail Saturday night on one count of aggravated child abuse. He is being held on a bond of $20,000.

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http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/child_abuse_arrest_st_petersburg091711

CHICAGO — An increase in child abuse, mostly in infants, is linked with the recent recession in new research that raises fresh concerns about the impact of the nation’s economic woes. The results are in a study of 422 abused children from mostly lower-income families, known to face greater risks for being abused, and the research involved just 74 counties in four states. But lead author Dr. Rachel Berger of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh said the results confirm anecdotal reports from many pediatricians who’ve seen increasing numbers of shaken baby cases and other forms of brain-injuring abuse.
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http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=348&NewsID=1006124&CategoryID=20366&on=1

SAN CLEMENTE, CA– A children’s book author, already charged with molesting a 12-year old girl, is now accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl. In the most recent case, Michael William Snyder, 44, is charged with felony oral copulation of a child 10 years or younger and a lewd act upon a child under 14, with a sentencing enhancement allegation for committing a sexual offense on more than one victim.

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http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-child-molester-book-author-charged,0,519046.story

Statistics & Research

The Children’s Bureau provides State and national data on adoption and foster care, child abuse and neglect, and child welfare. The Children’s Bureau also funds research in collaboration with other organizations. Children’s Bureau research on child abuse and neglect includes the annual Child Maltreatment reports. Child Maltreatment Annual Reports: Reports from the States to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems – National statistics on child abuse and neglect.

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http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/index.htm

A former Osceola County deputy sheriff has been found guilty of several child-sex-related charges. A jury Wednesday found Chad Lakey, 35, guilty of sexual activity with a child, attempted sexual activity with a child, child abuse and battery.

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http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-09-15/news/os-osceola-deputy-convicted-sex-abuse-20110915_1_deputy-sheriff-sexual-activity-chad-lakey