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Interstate Approach: Criminal Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Laws in Eight Mid-Western States

NCJ Number
156264
Author(s)
K L Grasso
Date Published
1994
Length
245 pages
Annotation
This report presents the elements of laws on child pornography, juvenile prostitution, and criminal sex offenses against children for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Abstract
This guide was developed to assist police and child welfare personnel in their efforts to investigate and prosecute child sexual exploitation and abuse. The laws are examined through a question-and-answer format with accompanying statutory analysis; they are further highlighted in attached tables. The topics addressed under child pornography statutes are age of protection; prohibited activities that involve the production, dissemination, and possession of child pornography; the pornographic medium; definitions of sexual conduct; parental or guardian complicity; defenses to charges of illegal conduct; evidentiary considerations related to prosecution; forfeiture of proceeds; mandatory reporting requirements; exposure of juveniles to pornographic matter; and unique and other relevant statutory provisions. Elements of the juvenile prostitution laws pertain to prostitution offenses applicable to both adults and juveniles, conduct that constitutes prostitution, whether statutes deal with patrons and others who promote prostitution, the age of protection, defenses to charges of illegal conduct, evidentiary considerations, transmission of HIV or sexually transmitted diseases, forfeiture, and unique and other relevant statutory provisions. Elements of laws that address criminal sex offenses pertain to prohibited sexual conduct, age of protection, statutes applicable to both child and adult victims, defenses to charges of illegal conduct, evidentiary considerations, HIV testing, registration of sex offenders, and unique and other relevant statutory provisions. An appendix also contains summaries of child abuse reporting and investigation laws for the eight States.