Sexual molestation question.

[erik_26]

But victims are reluctant to come out and say anything, because they are worried it will cause more harm.

Agreed! Very important to make a victim feel safe, secure and confident!


Just sayin'...... proceed with caution.

[pbchief2]

She agreed to speak with me about talking to a Deputy Sheriff.

[Heiko]

She agreed to speak with me about talking to a Deputy Sheriff.

That's great progress but still a treacherous situation. There are many things to think about and consider, even about what might seem like a simple meeting. Do you want to have someone else present? Based on how well you know her or what kind of rapport you have, you might want to have another person there, possibly a close female relative. For one, you don't want to be alone with her no matter how innocent your intentions. Just CYA. Also, a witness would be good to help cover your butt against an accusation you coached her or intimidated her into it. It can happen! Next thing you know you're on the stand being cross-examined about how you, a stranger, intermeddled and put all these nasty ideas in the poor girl's head.

If possible, try to line up who she will be talking to from the Sheriff's ahead of time. If there is anyway to make contact with a sex crimes investigator/detective beforehand so you will have a smooth path to the interview, do it. She might also ask about who she will be talking to and you don't want to say you don't know or that it will be some (random) patrol deputy. I have much respect for the noble patrol deputy but sex crimes are special cases and not all line deputies are skilled at handling these cases. I would suggest calling the appropriate Sheriff's station and asking for a child abuse or sex crimes investigator. Hopefully you can bypass the deputy initial report stage. Some departments almost require a deputy to take an initial before it goes to investigation. Doing this also might allow for arrangements to be made ahead of time to do a full forensic interview. I'm not talking medical, I'm talking about video recorded interviews done by specialists who do sex abuse interviews.

I would obviously take a very soft approach to it all. Reassure her that she can trust you and that anything she tells you is in confidence. I think her motivation for cooperating is the safety of her younger sisters. She may be submitting to the molestation to protect her siblings, thinking that if she appeases the uncle he will leave the others alone. Reassure her also that her coming forward will not result in her being taken away from her family. (Someone did mention if it is a parental failure to protect situation then CPS could wind up getting involved but CPS always tries and is compelled by law to keep kids placed at home or with relatives before splitting them up.)

I don't have any reason to think she is lying nor do you but I agree that it can happen - rarely - but it can happen. I've dealt with cases where the victim is adamant and really believable in forensic interviews but physical evidence just isn't there. I've got one now where the girl is really very clear about what went down and has no reason to lie but there is zero DNA when there should be based on her statements. I have no idea now whether she's being truthful and there just isn't any physical evidence or she's lying. In any event, step lightly and err on the side of caution for your own liability.

[TheExpertish]

Keep us posted. Interested to see how this pans out.

[retired]

I'm going to surmise from the OP's location, he lives in LASD's area. If that is true, then unless things have changed since I retired, a patrol deputy will take the initial report. From there, a detective from the juvenile sex crimes bureau will get the case and interview the victim.

I will grant you that some patrol deputies are more experienced than others in taking a sex crime report. That said, I believe they are all competent to do so.

I didn't have any special training other than what my TO taught me when I was a trainee, but my reports were of sufficient quality that I never had to testify in court and every suspect agreed to some type of plea deal so they wouldn't receive the maximum time. I'm not saying that to brag; merely stating a fact. I don't believe I was the exception either.

[Falconis]

Nope, it's pretty much the norm. Despite how arrogant and conceited those scums of society are, none of them ever want to testify in front of a jury and try to justify their actions. I think this is the one thing all good people can still agree that it's just plain wrong and disgusting.

[pbchief2]

Can I record the conversation without parental consent. Just as a CYA. Keep in mind I am just a member of the general public.

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[Ron-Solo]

Can I record the conversation without parental consent. Just as a CYA. Keep in mind I am just a member of the general public.

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Not a good idea. Also, that recording is evidence and is discoverable to the defense, along with your information as a witness. If you are present during the interview, you are no longer a concerned party, but a witness.

[pbchief2]

Where do I go from here. I spoke to her with another party present. As it stands now she wants to confront him directly about it on her own. I pressed the issue of going to her mom or the SO to no avail. I played everything I could about her younger sibling possibly having to deal with this. She is completely sympathetic toward her uncle. She also broke down when I pressed her for how long it had been going on. A couple of months from what she said.

Where do I go from here, I cannot simply turn a blind eye. I provided her with some help lines to call. Earlier this morning I spoke with the children's crime unit here and was told to call patrol once she was ready to talk to them. I was also told to call back if I need any advice. Tomorrow I will call back and ask a few more questions.

There are three more younger girls in that home right now. How is it that people like this get away with these things. So much too solve in society.

[9mmepiphany]

Have you called involved CPS yet?

[bob7122]

Where do I go from here. I spoke to her with another party present. As it stands now she wants to confront him directly about it on her own. I pressed the issue of going to her mom or the SO to no avail. I played everything I could about her younger sibling possibly having to deal with this. She is completely sympathetic toward her uncle. She also broke down when I pressed her for how long it had been going on. A couple of months from what she said.

Where do I go from here, I cannot simply turn a blind eye. I provided her with some help lines to call. Earlier this morning I spoke with the children's crime unit here and was told to call patrol once she was ready to talk to them. I was also told to call back if I need any advice. Tomorrow I will call back and ask a few more questions.

There are three more younger girls in that home right now. How is it that people like this get away with these things. So much too solve in society.

call 2moro and let them know that she confessed to you and that she has sisters that you believe are in danger (if you really believe this that they and her are in danger). Don't know if that is possible or if it will even help. but if all that she said is true then you need to do all you can legally. i know if i were you i would do all i could. i wouldn't want to have that weigh on my conscience, no way i could have that in the back of my head for life.

[pbchief2]

I'd like to thank those for the advice given. It took until January for anything to happen. The Sheriffs office would not make a visit and CPS never followed up. The mother eventually listened, only when she contacted them did the SO get involved. I also learned that this was not the first allegation(victim), although it was the first to be reported. Once again thanks is given to those that gave advice.