Childhood Sexual Abuse - The Battle Continues

I recently read a newspaper article about a five-year-old boy in LaCrosse County Wisconsin who was sexually assaulted while attending a sleep over. A nude Eric Kline, age 37, approached the sleeping child and asked the young boy to touch his genitals.

According to the same article, Mr. Kline had previously been accused of first-degree sexual assault against a seven-year-old boy. Those charges were dropped, however, Mr. Kline pleaded guilty to attempted second degree sexual assault of the five-year-old boy. The misdemeanor charges of exposing his genitals and five counts of felony bail jumping were dismissed. The rightfully angry mother of the five-year-old boy stated that if this man does not get a prison sentence he is getting "a pat on the back" for his crimes against young children. That is exactly what did happen in this case against Eric Kline. He was sentenced to 7 1/2 years of probation and a one year jail sentence with credit for 306 days served.

The Role of Denial
According to the LaCrosse Tribune, Eric Kline's wife defended her husband by saying that he is a good man and a caring father and husband. She does not believe that the assault against the five-year-old boy happened.

My Personal Experience
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and incest, I can look back over the behaviors of my own family members and see the denial that was present. Even after I was old enough to "tell" what was happening to me, there was disbelief and the truth was discounted. The perpetrators were protected and the truth of what really happened has been and still is tossed aside as being unimportant. My abusers were also said to be "good men".

Unfortunately, this kind of story is played out over and over again across our country. The laws are simply not strong enough to adequately punish sexual offenders. In this case, Eric Kline stated that he was a victim of childhood sexual abuse. He seemed to think that fact should excuse his behavior, but it does not. He definitely needs help, but his behavior is criminal and he should be punished for his actions. Not every abuse victim goes on to abuse others, but many do, unless they get help for their own wounds.

Effects of Child Sexual Abuse
According to available statistics, child sexual abuse leads to loss of trust, decrease in self-esteem, development of shame, guilt and depression. It can also lead to eating disorders, drug and alcohol addictions, promiscuity and psychobehavorial disorders.

Disturbing Statistics
"Most perpetrators don't molest only one child if they are not reported and stopped. Nearly 70% of child sex offenders have between 1 and 9 victims; at least 20% have 10 to 40 victims. An average serial child molester may have as many as 400 victims in his lifetime."

Source:
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/article_cf1e3926-f505-11de-afa6-001cc4c002e0.html

http://www.darkness2light.org/KnowAbout/statistics_2.asp