Changes

*Depression, fear (or fear of the opposite sex), or anxiety.

*Depression, fear (or fear of the opposite sex), or anxiety.

*Sudden clinging to parents or a loved adult.

*Sudden clinging to parents or a loved adult.

*Sleep disorders, or a return to regressive behaviors like bedwetting and thumb sucking.

*Sleep disorders, or a return to regressive behaviors like bed wetting and thumb sucking.

*Behavior or performance problems at school, and non-participation in social activities.

*Behavior or performance problems at school, and non-participation in social activities.

The strongest indication of sexual abuse of a child is sexual knowledge, interest, or acting out by the child.  Such displays are simply not normal child behavior, and the best way to deal with it is to reassure the child as to his or her self asteem, and give positive family support.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.apa.org/releases/sexabuse/effects.html What are the Effects of Child Sexual Abuse?]," ''American Psychological Association'', 2001. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

The strongest indication of sexual abuse of a child is sexual knowledge, interest, or acting out by the child.  Such displays are simply not normal child behavior, and the best way to deal with it is to reassure the child as to his or her self esteem, and give positive family support.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.apa.org/releases/sexabuse/effects.html What are the Effects of Child Sexual Abuse?]," ''American Psychological Association'', 2001. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

==Laws and punishments==

==Laws and punishments==

==Cases of child molesting==

==Cases of child molesting==

On April 20, 2007 Ted Lamborgine, 66, of Parma, Ohio, was sentenced by a Detroit judge to three life terms in Michigan for sexualy molesting boys. Lamborgine and Richard Lawson, 60, were accused of operating a pedophile ring in Detroit during the 1970's and 1980's, often luring kids into sexual acts in exchange for candy, soda, food, and other items.  Lawson, however, pointed the finger of blame at Lamborgine at another unsolved case: the notorious Oakland County Child Killings of 1976-77, in which four children were molested and killed in the county north of Detroit.  Lamborgine had refused a prosecutor's deal in which 13 of the fifteen charges for child molestation would be dropped in exchange for a polygraph examination into the deaths.  Lawson is currently serving a life sentence for murder.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/17109582.htm Ohio man given 3 life sentences for sexual assaults on young boys]", ''Akron Beacon Journal'', April 20, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref><ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=2986405&version=5&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.1.1 Lamborgine Receives Three Life Sentences]", ''My Fox Detroit'', April 20, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref><ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/71632 '70s multi-child Murder suspect found and arrested]", ''Digital Journal'', December 11, 2006. Retrieved April 29, 2007</ref>

On April 20, 2007 Ted Lamborgine, 66, of Parma, Ohio, was sentenced by a Detroit judge to three life terms in Michigan for sexually molesting boys. Lamborgine and Richard Lawson, 60, were accused of operating a pedophile ring in Detroit during the 1970's and 1980's, often luring kids into sexual acts in exchange for candy, soda, food, and other items.  Lawson, however, pointed the finger of blame at Lamborgine at another unsolved case: the notorious Oakland County Child Killings of 1976-77, in which four children were molested and killed in the county north of Detroit.  Lamborgine had refused a prosecutor's deal in which 13 of the fifteen charges for child molestation would be dropped in exchange for a polygraph examination into the deaths.  Lawson is currently serving a life sentence for murder.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/17109582.htm Ohio man given 3 life sentences for sexual assaults on young boys]", ''Akron Beacon Journal'', April 20, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref><ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=2986405&version=5&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.1.1 Lamborgine Receives Three Life Sentences]", ''My Fox Detroit'', April 20, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref><ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/71632 '70s multi-child Murder suspect found and arrested]", ''Digital Journal'', December 11, 2006. Retrieved April 29, 2007</ref>

Polly Klaas, a 12 year-old girl from Petaluma, California, was kidnapped at knifepoint on October 1, 1993, while hosting a slumber party at her home; she was later found strangled, and an autopsy determined she had been raped.  Arrested in the case was Richard Allen Davis, who led police to the body.  Davis had a lengthy criminal history, including burglary and kidnapping; the Klaas murder earned him a spot on California's death row.<ref>Denise Noe, "[http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/klaas/1.html All About Polly Klaas and Richard Allan Davis]", ''Crime Library'', retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref><ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.cnn.com/US/9609/26/davis.klass/ Killer of Polly Klaas sentenced to death]", ''CNN Interactive'', September 26, 1996. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

Polly Klaas, a 12 year-old girl from Petaluma, California, was kidnapped at knife point on October 1, 1993, while hosting a slumber party at her home; she was later found strangled, and an autopsy determined she had been raped.  Arrested in the case was Richard Allen Davis, who led police to the body.  Davis had a lengthy criminal history, including burglary and kidnapping; the Klaas murder earned him a spot on California's death row.<ref>Denise Noe, "[http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/klaas/1.html All About Polly Klaas and Richard Allan Davis]", ''Crime Library'', retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref><ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.cnn.com/US/9609/26/davis.klass/ Killer of Polly Klaas sentenced to death]", ''CNN Interactive'', September 26, 1996. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

John Evander Couey, a 46 year-old sex offender registered with the state of Florida, was charged with capitol murder, sexual battery, and assault on 9 year-old Jessica Lunsford, who was kidnapped from her home in Homasassa on February 24, 2005.  Couey was assisted in evading police by family members with whom he shared a home, and indications are they may have helped him in commiting the crime or covering it up.  An autopsy determined Lunsford was buried alive, still clutching a stuffed blue dolphin that her father had given her.<ref>Anthony Brune, "[http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/jessica_lunsford/1_index.html Jessica Lunsford child abducted and murdered by repeat sex offender John Couey]", ''Crime Library'', retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref> Couey's act helped pass "Jessica's Law", in which individuals convicted of a sexual crime against a child under the age of 11 would receive a minimum 25 years in prison, followed by electronic monitoring for the remainder of their lives when released.  The law was signed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush on May 2, 2005.<ref> Authors unknown,  "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/02/national/main692465.shtml Fla. Gets Tough New Child-Sex Law]", ''CBS News'', May 2, 2005. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

John Evander Couey, a 46 year-old sex offender registered with the state of Florida, was charged with capitol murder, sexual battery, and assault on 9 year-old Jessica Lunsford, who was kidnapped from her home in Homasassa on February 24, 2005.  Couey was assisted in evading police by family members with whom he shared a home, and indications are they may have helped him in committing the crime or covering it up.  An autopsy determined Lunsford was buried alive, still clutching a stuffed blue dolphin that her father had given her.<ref>Anthony Brune, "[http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/jessica_lunsford/1_index.html Jessica Lunsford child abducted and murdered by repeat sex offender John Couey]", ''Crime Library'', retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref> Couey's act helped pass "Jessica's Law", in which individuals convicted of a sexual crime against a child under the age of 11 would receive a minimum 25 years in prison, followed by electronic monitoring for the remainder of their lives when released.  The law was signed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush on May 2, 2005.<ref> Authors unknown,  "[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/02/national/main692465.shtml Fla. Gets Tough New Child-Sex Law]", ''CBS News'', May 2, 2005. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>

The [[Roman Catholic Church]] has had problems with child abusers among its clergy.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1963716.stm</ref>

The [[Roman Catholic Church]] has had problems with child abusers among its clergy.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1963716.stm</ref>