NCJ Number
200704
Journal
Sexual Assault Report Volume: 6 Issue: 5 Dated: May/June 2003 Pages: 72-73,80
Date Published
May 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article profiles three newly released videos that address child sex crimes and the Internet, date rape, and various aspects of child sexual abuse.
Abstract
"Behind the Screens: Child Sexual Abuse on the Internet" is a 16-minute introduction to the dangers children can encounter on the Internet even when properly supervised. It is primarily directed to parents and would be ideal for use in any community setting. Two child survivors explain in the video how easy it was for them at age 13 to be duped by much older men who were pretending to be their friends in Internet chats. The unit head of the FBI's Crimes Against Children tells parents that children are trusting and that parents must be the first line of defense. Other contributors to the video agree that having a good relationship with your children is crucial, so that they will be willing to talk to their parents if they encounter any problems. A second video, "A Question of Rape," asks the viewers to follow an investigation and trial of a date rape case and decide whether the defendant is guilty or not. Viewers are also asked to consider the roles and culpability of two friends of the defendant. The video comes with a manual that suggests further discussion. The reviewer notes weaknesses in the video, namely the focus on the believability or sincerity of the woman's "no." This may leave viewers with the assumption that the victim has the burden of proving that she was manifestly clear and believable in resisting the attack before it can be considered rape. Further, some of the discussion questions carry the suggestion that date rape is different from stranger rape and that the victim's prior sexual behavior might be relevant to the case. The third video is a three-volume series on different aspects of child sexual abuse. The first volume looks at child sexual abuse through interviews with convicted and incarcerated sex offenders, adult survivors, and national experts on child sexual abuse. The second volume of the series shows two treatment programs, one for incarcerated men and one for a family in which incest occurred. The third volume in the series contains comments by a person who runs programs for child survivors. The comments address what sexual abuse is, who the perpetrators are, how they deceive children, and what is needed to make them stop. This is followed by two survivors of childhood sexual abuse telling their stories.