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'''Child molesting''' is the physical or psychological act of harming a minor child by sexual means. The chief characteristic of such abuse is the position of the adult over the child; the dominance of the adult allows that individual to coerce and/or force a child into sexual activity.  The resulting abuse may include contact with the genitals, masturbations, or penetration up to and including rape.  Non-physical contact may include voyeurism or photography for pornographic purposes.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.apa.org/releases/sexabuse/ What is Child Sexual Abuse?]", ''American Psychological Association'', 2001. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>  Studies by law enforcement and psychologists indicate that most individuals engaged in child sexual abuse continue to do so regardless of punishment; the effects on the children involved indicate a lifetime scarring.

'''Child molesting''' is the physical or psychological act of harming a minor child by sexual means. The chief characteristic of such abuse is the position of the adult over the child; the dominance of the adult allows that individual to coerce and/or force a child into sexual activity.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://www.apa.org/releases/sexabuse/ What is Child Sexual Abuse?]", ''American Psychological Association'', 2001. Retrieved April 29, 2007.</ref>  Studies by law enforcement and psychologists indicate that most individuals engaged in child sexual abuse continue to do so regardless of punishment; the effects on the children involved indicate a lifetime scarring.

==Symptoms on the child==

==Symptoms on the child==

==Laws and punishments==

==Laws and punishments==

The current trend towards punishment of offenders has been longer prison sentences, and upon release mandatory registration as a sex offender.  Legislation signed into law by President George Bush on July 27, 2006 mandates the requirement for offenders to update their whereabouts with law enforcement many times a year; it also provides for permanent incarceration of offenders deemed a continual threat to society.  This law was named for Adam Walsh, the murdered son of ''America's Most Wanted'' host John Walsh.<ref>Author unknown, "[http://rpc.senate.gov/_files/L49HR4427ChldprotBB072006.pdf#search='H.R.%204472' HR 4472--Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006]", ''Legislative Notice'' 49, July 20, 2006. Published by [[Republican]] Policy Committee ([[United States Senate]]), [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[John Kyl]] ([[Republican|R]]-[[Arizona|AZ]]), chairman. Retrieved April 29, 2997. Requires PDF reader.</ref> Punishment also continues to an extended degree in prison, as child molesters are "marked" by other inmates for beatings or death.

The current trend towards punishment of offenders has been longer prison sentences, and upon release mandatory registration as a sex offender.  Legislation signed into law by President George Bush on July 27, 2006 mandates the requirement for offenders to update their whereabouts with law enforcement many times a year; it also provides for permanent incarceration of offenders deemed a continual threat to society.  This law was named for Adam Walsh, the murdered son of ''America's Most Wanted'' host John Walsh.<ref>Author unknown, "[http://rpc.senate.gov/_files/L49HR4427ChldprotBB072006.pdf#search='H.R.%204472' HR 4472--Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006]", ''Legislative Notice'' 49, July 20, 2006. Published by [[Republican]] Policy Committee ([[United States Senate]]), [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[John Kyl]] ([[Republican|R]]-[[Arizona|AZ]]), chairman. Retrieved April 29, 2997. Requires PDF reader.</ref>  

The state of Vermont has come under fire recently for being a "safe haven" for child molesters who wish for lenient or no punishment for their actions.  In one recent case, Judge Edward Cashman sentenced one such individual to 60 days in jail; the man involved, Mark Hulett, had molested a girl for four years, beginning from the age of 6. <ref>Authors unknown, [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,181498,00.html Light Sentence for Child Molester Leaves Vermont Judge Under Fire]", ''Associated Press'', January 12, 2006. Retrieved April 29, 2007, from ''[http://www.foxnews.com/ Fox News Home]''.</ref>

In Florida, individuals convicted of a sexual crime against a child under the age of 11 receive a minimum 25 years in prison, followed by electronic monitoring for the remainder of their lives when released.<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>

Punishments often continue to be administered in prison, as child molesters are "marked" by other inmates for beatings or death.

Kenneth John Freeman, a former deputy sheriff from the state of Washington, allegedly raped his own daughter and had the event videotaped and posted on the internet.  He posted bond of $50,000 in November, 2005, but fled the country before his trial date in March, 2006.  He was arrested in Hong Kong on May 2, 2007, during an escape attempt in which he had learned that Chinese authorities were given information on him by United States Marshals, as well as a recent profile on ''America's Most Wanted''.  His victim has since become an advocate against child sexual abuse. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269644,00.html]

The [[Roman Catholic Church]] has had problems with child abusers among its clergy.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1963716.stm Catholic child abuse fears widen]", ''BBC-Asia-Pacific'', British Broadcasting Corporation, May 2, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2007.</ref> The proportion of clergy who molest is impossible to determine, but the [[Vatican]] is very much concerned.

The state of Vermont has come under fire recently for being a "safe haven" for child molesters who wish for lenient or no punishment for their actions. In one recent case, Judge Edward Cashman sentenced one such individual to 60 days in jail; the man involved, Mark Hulett, had molested a girl for four years, beginning from the age of 6. <ref>Authors unknown, [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,181498,00.html Light Sentence for Child Molester Leaves Vermont Judge Under Fire]", ''Associated Press'', January 12, 2006. Retrieved April 29, 2007, from ''[http://www.foxnews.com/ Fox News Home]''.</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 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>

The [[Roman Catholic Church]] has had problems with child abusers among its clergy.<ref>Authors unknown, "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1963716.stm Catholic child abuse fears widen]", ''BBC-Asia-Pacific'', British Broadcasting Corporation, May 2, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2007.</ref> The proportion of offenders within the clergy is impossible to determine, but the [[Vatican]] has publically registered its concern.

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 United States' Stop It Now! Foundation recommends 'the four R's' to limit children's vulnerability in at-risk situations. These include:

'''Rules:''' discussing with your child the importance of rules for behaviour around others. (Note that this is not merely limited to 'stranger danger', but can be taught as 'circles of closeness'. An effective way to introduce this concept can be drawing your own diagram to show this (Mummy/Daddy, family, friends, strangers) and encourage them to create their own.

'''Respect:''' explaining why the rules are necessary - your child has a right to feel safe, but so does everyone else.

'''Responsibility:''' the hard part - teaching your child to follow these rules through reminders and encouragement.

'''Reading:''' encouraging your child's awareness of their social environment. Prevention is most effective when children learn to read the situation. If rules and a sense of self-respect are in place, your child is far more likely to let you know when they're troubled by someone's behaviour.

==Organizations which promote child molesting==

==Organizations which promote child molesting==