Committing indecent liberties with a child by a custodian is a significant concern, one that causes stress and mental problems to the child victim and also results in multiple long term health consequences. It starts from systematic social problems where the child victim faces difficulty to adjust in the society and fears that no one would ever accept him or her. However this problem is preventable if strict law penalties are implemented and are applicable in the state of Virginia.
One key and efficient approach that can be adopted to prevent committing indecent liberties with a child by the custodian, is a comprehensive approach which targets the law system, its policies and rules and regulations that influences to sentence or convicts the victims. There should also be other policies and regulations which should look after and influence the health and well-being of the child victims and their families.
The Condition of the Child Victim
Research studies indicate that the prevalence rate of committing indecent liberties with a child by the custodian is a hidden problem which is not given as much exposure and importance as given to sexual abuse, rape, and prostitution. While talking about indecent liberties with a child by custodian, it is a rather taboo subject, while dealing with its secrecy, stigma and shame for the child victim, which is associated with him or her. Furthermore, the collection of such cases is nearly impossible as many victims and their families prefer not to report their crime, mainly due to shame, inferiority and the fear of facing the consequences and opinions in the society.
While talking about committing indecent liberties with a child by a custodian in Virginia, data should and must be collected through multiple sources and independent agencies and sources such as child welfare system, government and law enforcement agencies, courts, schools, colleges and university, child advocacy centers and the sex offender registry. These sources of information can prove to be important while knowing and accessing the condition of the child victim and giving him or her the openness to describe what has happened to him or her which is hidden due to the reasons of facing shame in the society.
Such sources can also provide additional information including the details and reasons of the offender which is the custodian. Having such information, it could also help to place the child victim in protective custody. However, the problem still remains immense with no appropriate solution. When an offender takes indecent liberties with a child as a custodian, he or she can simply get away with it as the crime lacks significant evidence. While there is concrete or profound strategy to completely eliminate and eradicate indecent liberties with a child by a custodian, a comprehensive and applicable approach or a framework can still be adapted which can focus on the risk and protective factors for the child victim.
Now the question remains, what can we do as a part of the community? We can trust in our ability to raise strong, competent and capable children who can lead their lives with smart and innovative thinking and protect themselves at all times.