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What should I do if I suspect that my child has been abused? How can I report that my child has been abused? Who must report child abuse and neglect? Who should examine my child to see if she/he has been sexually abused? Will my child have to goto court to testify? Where can I get counseling for my child? Where can I learn more about abuse and neglect? What are the Mississippi laws that pertain to child abuse and neglect? What is the unconditional age of consent to have sexual intercourse?
What are the signs of physical or sexual abuse? Signs of possible sexual abuse: Most victims do not display physical evidence of their abuse because of the bodys' ability to heal rapidly. However, any genital irritation, infections or painful bowel movements should be investigated immediately. Behavioral signs are more common and can include depression, anxiety, anger, loss of appetite, withdrawal from normal activities, substance abuse, self mutilation, fear of certain places or people, bed wetting, night sweats, nightmares and thoughts of suicide. Also be aware of sexual acting out and language that is not age appropriate. Signs of Physical Abuse Child's Appearance: What should I do if I suspect that my child has been abused?
How can I report that my child has been abused? Call the DHS hotline 1-800-222-8000. Who must report child abuse and neglect? M.S.A. 43-21-353 1) Any attorney, physician, dentist, intern, resident, nurse, psychologist, social worker, child protection specialist, child care giver, minister, law enforcement officer, public or private school employee or any other person having reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a neglected child or an abused child, shall cause an oral report to be made immediately by telephone or otherwise and followed as soon thereafter as possible by a report in writing to the Department of Human Services. EVERYONE IN MISSISSIPPI IS EXPECTED TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. The toll free number is 1-800-222-8000. Who should examine my child to see if she/he has been sexually abused? If the abuse happened within the past 72 hours, take your child to a hospital emergency room or call the Batson CARE clinic at the MS Children's Justice Center, to schedule an appointment, 601 815-0115. If the abuse happened more than 72 hours ago, call for an appointment at the Batson CARE Clinic. The clinic located at Jackson Medical Mall, 350 West Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39213. Before visiting the CARE clinic, your child should have forensic interview at a child advocacy center. Call the CAC closest to you. See National Children's Alliance for phone numbers and addresses. Will my child have to go to court to testify? This is a question you will need to discuss with the prosecutor handling the matter. Where can I get counseling for my child? The Children's Advocacy Centers and the Batson CARE clinic will assist you in finding counseling for your child. Financial resources are available if you or your child qualify as a victim of crime. Please contact the Division of Victim Compensation, Office of the Attorney General to complete an application of eligibility. Office of the Attorney General Where can I learn more about abuse and neglect? Click on any of the links listed below: American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children International Child Abuse Network National Center for Missing and Exploited Children National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information Stop It Now! The Campaign to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse What are the Mississippi laws that pertain to child abuse and neglect? You can find the language of the statutes by clicking on the following link and following the instructions: 97-5-1 Abandonment of a child under age six 97-5-5 Enticing child for concealment, prostitution or marriage 97-5-23 Touching, handling, etc. child, mentally defective or incapacitated person or physically helpless person. 97-5-24 Sexual involvement of school employee with student; duty to report. 97-5-27 Dissemination of sexually oriented material to persons under eighteen years of age; use of computer for purpose of luring or inducing persons under eighteen years of age to engage in sexual contact. 97-5-9 Public display of sexually oriented materials. 97-5-31 Exploitation of children, definitions 97-5-33 Exploitation of children; penalties 97-5-37 Exploitation of children; other remedies 97-5-39 contributing to the neglect or delinquency of a child; felonious abuse and/or battery of a child. 97-5-40 Condoning child abuse. 97-5-41 Carnal knowledge of step or adopted child; carnal knowledge of child by cohabitating partner. 97-5-42 Protection of children from parents convicted of felony child sexual abuse; creation of local registry, penalties, standards for visitation. MS Rape Statutes 97-3-65 Statutory rape; enhanced penalty for forcible sexual intercourse or statutory rape by administering certain substances. The crime of statutory rape is committed when: (a) Any person seventeen (17) years of age or older has sexual intercourse with a child who: (i) Is a least fourteen (14) but under sixteen (16) years of age; (ii) Is thirty-six (36) or more months younger than the person; and (iii) Is not the person's spouse; or (b) A person of any age has sexual intercourse with a child who: (i) Is under the age of fourteen (14) years; (ii) Is twenty-four (24) or more months younger than the person; and (iii) Is not the person's spouse. (2) Neither the victim's consent nor the victim's lack of chastity is a defense to a charge of statutory rape. (3) Upon conviction for statutory rape, the defendant shall be sentenced as follows: (a) if eighteen (18) years of age or older, but under twenty-one (21) years of age, and convicted under paragraph (1)(a) of this section, to imprisonment for not more than five (5) years in the State Penitentiary or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or both; (b) If twenty-one (21) years of age or older and convicted under paragraph (1) (a) of this section, to imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) years in the State Penitentiary or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both, for the first offense, and not more than forty (40) years in the State Penitentiary for each subsequent offense; (c) If eighteen (18) years of age or older and convicted under paragraph (1)(b) of this section, to imprisonment for life in the State Penitentiary or such lesser term of imprisonment as the court may determine, but not less than twenty (20) years. (d) If thirteen (13) years of age or older but under eighteen (18) years of age and convicted under paragraph (1)(a) or (1)(b) of this section, such imprisonment, fine or other sentence as the court, in its discretion, may determine. (4) (a) Every person who shall have forcible sexual intercourse with any person, or who shall have sexual intercourse not constituting forcible sexual intercourse or statutory rape with any person without that person's consent by administering to such a person any substance or liquid which shall produce such stupor or such imbecility of mind or weakness of body as to prevent effectual resistance, upon conviction, shall be imprisoned for life in the State Penitentiary if the jury by its verdict so prescribes; and in cases where the jury fails to fix the penalty at life imprisonment, the court shall fix the penalty at imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for any term as the court, in its discretion, may determine. (2) A person is guilty of sexual battery if he or she engages in sexual penetration with a child under the age of eighteen (18) years if the person is in a position of trust or authority over the child including without limitation the child's teacher, counselor, physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, minister, priest, physical therapist, chiropractor, legal guardian, parent, stepparent, aunt, uncle, scout leader or coach. 97-3-97 Sexual battery; definitions. For purposes of Sections 97-3-5 through 97-3-103 the following words shall have the ascribed herein unless the contest otherwise requires: (a) "Sexual penetration" includes cunnilingus, fellatio, buggery or pederasty, any penetration of the genital or anal openings of another person's body by any part of a person's body, and insertion of any object into the genital or anal openings of another person's body. (b) A "mentally defective person" is one who suffers form a mental disease, defect or condition which renders that person temporarily or permanently incapable of knowing the nature and quality of his or her conduct. (c) A "mentally incapacitated person" is one rendered incapable of knowing or controlling his or her conduct, or incapable of resisting an act due to the influence of any drug, narcotic, anesthetic, or other substance administered to that person without his or her consent. (d) a "physically helpless person" is one who is unconscious or one who for any other reason is physically incapable of communicating an unwillingness to engage in an act. For all Mississippi Statutes go to: What is the unconditional age of consent to have sexual intercourse? The unconditional age of consent to have sexual intercourse for two individuals who do not suffer from any mental impairment is the age of 18. If a person is over the age of 16 but under the age of 18 there are certain situations in which sexual intercourse is illegal. It does not matter if the under aged person consents to the contact, the act of sexual intercourse is still illegal. |
