Child maltreatment has been around for a long time now, but in the state of
California child maltreatment was not recognized until the California Penal Code 11164 and
11165, codes regarding child abuse and neglect, were officially included in the California law
(“CNN-Breaking News,” n.d.). Child maltreatment can be subcategorized into two different
areas: acts of commission and acts of omission. Acts of commission is when something
intentional is brought upon the child, for example, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional
abuse. Acts of omission is when child neglect occurs; it can be anything from physical neglect to
an exposure to a violent environment like domestic violence. Regardless, they are both considered to be child maltreatment.
In 2014 there have been about 686,000 cases of child maltreatment that were found to be true. Out of those 686,000 there have been about 1,640 child abuse cases that resulted in death (“National Center,” n.d.). Child maltreatment is not something that should be taken lightly.
Focusing on child maltreatment subcategory acts of commission, a famous example of this would be the case of Megan Kanka. Her case is what brought the public a website in which sex offenders need to register in for the public to view; meganslaw.ca.gov.
How it came about? Megan Kanka was a seven year old girl living in New Jersey with both of parents, Maureen and Richard Kanka. She went missing on July 29, 1994. Jesse Timmendequas, the Kankas' neighbor, was prime suspect of the case. He was then arrested for the kidnapping of Megan Kanka. The very next day, Megan's body was found at a park not far from her home. By this time, Timmendequas had already confessed to Megan's kidnapping, rape, and murder ("History," 2016). After the incident, Megan's parents, along with all their other neighbors, were in shock that they did not know that there were three sex offenders (Timmendequas and his two roommates) were living in their neighborhood. Megan's parents were so sure that if they had known that those three men lived there Megan would still be alive. They argued that if they knew, the would have protected Megan from them. With this in mind, the Kankas decided that everyone should have knowledge of where sex offenders live. This is when they came up with Megan's Law. Megan's Law states, "California has required sex offenders to register with their local law enforcement agencies sice 1947. California's Megan's Law provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of our local communities may protect themselves and their children" (California," 2009).
I agree with Megan Kanka's parents, if they had known Megan would probably still be alive right now. I think that Megan's Law is something so important to have access to. Many people are not aware of this site. I think that it is very important to educate the people around us, by letting them know about these kinds of things. I chose this topic because I work with kids myself. I am an after school program leader in Riverside, California. I have my first grade class that I work with every Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. I love each and every one of my little seven year olds. For that kind of misfortune to happen to a little girl like my little kids is disgusting and an abomination. I would hate to find out that one of my kids has passed away in the way that Megan Kanka has. Therefore, I strongly believe that we should protect our children with all our power, and what is stronger than knowledge? By educating ourselves and all our neighbors is an important step to doing so. Also, by keeping the website, www.meganslaw.ca.gov, updated would be a great help.
People in the community also affected by this
References
(n.d.). CNN - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos. CNN - Repeat sex offender guilty in 'Megan's Law' case. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from
http://www.cnn.com/US/9705/30/megan.kanka/
(n.d.). National Center for Jury Prevention and Control: Division of Violence Prevention. Understanding Child Maltreatment. Retrieved November 22, 2016, from www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention
(2009). California Megan's Law - California Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. California Megan's Law - California Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from
http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/homepage.aspx?lang=ENGLISH
(2016). HISTORY Canada | History - Videos, TV Schedule & Watch Full Episodes. Man
charged in murder of Megan Kanka - Jul 30, 1994. Retrieved November 23, 2016, from
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/man-charged-in-murder-of-megan-kanka
California child maltreatment was not recognized until the California Penal Code 11164 and
11165, codes regarding child abuse and neglect, were officially included in the California law
(“CNN-Breaking News,” n.d.). Child maltreatment can be subcategorized into two different
areas: acts of commission and acts of omission. Acts of commission is when something
intentional is brought upon the child, for example, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional
abuse. Acts of omission is when child neglect occurs; it can be anything from physical neglect to
an exposure to a violent environment like domestic violence. Regardless, they are both considered to be child maltreatment.
In 2014 there have been about 686,000 cases of child maltreatment that were found to be true. Out of those 686,000 there have been about 1,640 child abuse cases that resulted in death (“National Center,” n.d.). Child maltreatment is not something that should be taken lightly.
Focusing on child maltreatment subcategory acts of commission, a famous example of this would be the case of Megan Kanka. Her case is what brought the public a website in which sex offenders need to register in for the public to view; meganslaw.ca.gov.
How it came about? Megan Kanka was a seven year old girl living in New Jersey with both of parents, Maureen and Richard Kanka. She went missing on July 29, 1994. Jesse Timmendequas, the Kankas' neighbor, was prime suspect of the case. He was then arrested for the kidnapping of Megan Kanka. The very next day, Megan's body was found at a park not far from her home. By this time, Timmendequas had already confessed to Megan's kidnapping, rape, and murder ("History," 2016). After the incident, Megan's parents, along with all their other neighbors, were in shock that they did not know that there were three sex offenders (Timmendequas and his two roommates) were living in their neighborhood. Megan's parents were so sure that if they had known that those three men lived there Megan would still be alive. They argued that if they knew, the would have protected Megan from them. With this in mind, the Kankas decided that everyone should have knowledge of where sex offenders live. This is when they came up with Megan's Law. Megan's Law states, "California has required sex offenders to register with their local law enforcement agencies sice 1947. California's Megan's Law provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of our local communities may protect themselves and their children" (California," 2009). I agree with Megan Kanka's parents, if they had known Megan would probably still be alive right now. I think that Megan's Law is something so important to have access to. Many people are not aware of this site. I think that it is very important to educate the people around us, by letting them know about these kinds of things. I chose this topic because I work with kids myself. I am an after school program leader in Riverside, California. I have my first grade class that I work with every Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. I love each and every one of my little seven year olds. For that kind of misfortune to happen to a little girl like my little kids is disgusting and an abomination. I would hate to find out that one of my kids has passed away in the way that Megan Kanka has. Therefore, I strongly believe that we should protect our children with all our power, and what is stronger than knowledge? By educating ourselves and all our neighbors is an important step to doing so. Also, by keeping the website, www.meganslaw.ca.gov, updated would be a great help.
People in the community also affected by this
References
(n.d.). CNN - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos. CNN - Repeat sex offender guilty in 'Megan's Law' case. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from
http://www.cnn.com/US/9705/30/megan.kanka/
(n.d.). National Center for Jury Prevention and Control: Division of Violence Prevention. Understanding Child Maltreatment. Retrieved November 22, 2016, from www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention
(2009). California Megan's Law - California Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. California Megan's Law - California Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from
http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/homepage.aspx?lang=ENGLISH
(2016). HISTORY Canada | History - Videos, TV Schedule & Watch Full Episodes. Man
charged in murder of Megan Kanka - Jul 30, 1994. Retrieved November 23, 2016, from
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/man-charged-in-murder-of-megan-kanka
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