Crimes Against Children
Children, who by definition require the guardianship and care of adults, are among the most vulnerable and innocent victims of crimes. Crimes against children include physical and emotional abuse; neglect; and exploitation, such as through child pornography or sex trafficking of minors. Child-related crimes often are perpetrated by parents, relatives, caretakers, and others who are charged with their care and guidance. School officials, physicians, police officers, and other such authority figures are required to report any signs of abuse or exploitation against a child. The following articles cover child abuse, statutory rape, child pornography, sexting, and other crimes against children.
- Child Abuse
Description of the broad crime against any type of child cruelty, including child endangerment and neglect, plus links to state and national child abuse laws and information clearinghouses.
- Child Abandonment
In-depth explanation of what constitutes child abandonment in most states, consequences for physically or emotionally abandoning a child, safe-haven laws, mandatory reporting laws, and other matters related to child abandonment.
- Child Pornography
Description of laws prohibiting the production, possession, distribution, or sale of pornographic material involving a minor child, including links to state and federal laws related to child sexual exploitation.
- Statutory Rape
Basics overview of statutory rape, which does not require the victim to have been forced into having sex with an adult, only that the victim was below the age of consent.