1. Abuse

                - What do I consider child abuse? Well any form of disciplining a child that causes severe physical or emotional harm. I don’t think children should be disrespected just because of their age. They are individuals just like adults who deserve respect.

                - Do I think spanking is child abuse? I’m truly torn with this question…I do think spanking is child abuse. I don’t think it is an extreme form of abuse but because spanking means physically hitting a child, I do have to say it is abuse.

                -  Do I think spanking should be allowed? I don’t know how to answer this question. Would I be absolutely appalled in public if I witnessed a child being spanked? I think I would. But I’m a psychology major and it’s not necessarily the physical spanking that is worrisome to me, it’s the public and social humiliation that would come with it. I don’t think it should be allowed to happen in public.

                -  When should it become a public concern? Like I mentioned before, it’s not so much the physical act of spanking that I’m too worried about, it’s the other problems that would come along with it.  I don’t think a parent should spank their child in public at all.

                - What is an acceptable form of public punishment? Well I do not have children but I do know that I wouldn’t feel comfortable spanking them or yanking on their arm in public, or in the privacy of our home. I mentioned before that children are people too. I think that if I were in a situation where I needed to discipline my child in public, say for example they were misbehaving on the playground and hit a child. I would call them over, sternly (not yelling) ask them what they did, tell them that it’s not nice to do that kind of thing, would they want someone to treat them that way? Then I would sternly tell them to apologize and we would LEAVE the playground. I think taking away any positive things from the child after they have done something negative is punishment enough. They need to know you are serious but I don’t think hitting them helps send the message any better.

                - Unacceptable public punishment? Screaming at your child, hitting/spanking them, calling them names, letting them scream and cry after being talked to, yanking them by the arm, etc..

2. Sexual victimization

                - Child pornography: In Ohio it says that if the offender is 18 years or older and they engage in sexual conduct with a person who is 13 years or older but less than 16 years, that they are reckless in that regard and guilty of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. This could be a felony in the 4^th degree or if the offender is less than 4 years older than the other person, it is a misdemeanor of the 1^st degree. Also, if the offender is 10 or more years older than the other person, it is a felony in the 3^rd degree. If convicted could receive up to 8 years in jail and or a fine and will have to register as a sex offender.

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2907.04

http://mobilemediaguard.com/states/sexting_laws_ohio.html

                - Sexting: In Ohio, a minor who is caught creating, distributing or possessing a sexually explicit image of a minor could be prosecuted under the State of Ohio’s child pornography laws and if convicted, required to register as a sex offender.

                - When I think of sexting, I usually think of couples who are away from one another who want to basically have sex without having sex. So it involves masturbation as well as communication with your partner via text messaging. It can but doesn’t have to include pictures. I have heard of this term since I was in high school and never really thought it was a problem but when I think about how naïve some kids can be now a days, I guess it really has potential to be a big issue. Perhaps the minor is “sexting” someone who they think is a cute boy or girl they “met” online when really it could be a grown man or woman who is lying and taking advantage of the child’s ignorance.

                - Honestly though, if it’s just between couples even if they are minors, I don’t think there should be punishment. Let’s face it, some kids will have sex at a young age whether they’re allowed to or not. Depending on the situation, I don’t think punishment is necessary. However, if lying is involved as I mentioned before or there is an issue of a minor with an adult, then I think punishment would be justified.

http://mobilemediaguard.com/states/sexting_laws_ohio.html

3. From Ohio: In Cleveland, Ohio a man, Jason Dunikowski and his wife Andreia Huffman were arrested for tying their 8 year old son to a table and beating him. When police found him he had bruises all over, and a broken nose. Due to the extreme discoloration of his hands, they assumed that he had been tied up for a long time. The couple had eight other children ranging in age from 3-17 and they were all removed from the home. The judge barred the parents from seeing their children until everything was worked out legally.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/05/judge_bans_parents_from_seeing.html

Yes, this has affected me differently simply because the victims are children who are completely defenseless and innocent people.

4. Media aspect:

- This PSA shows how children are usually abused throughout their childhood years, not just once or twice when they are younger. This also shows how it can take a toll on their self esteem. This video shows a little girl asking for her mother’s help and being abused. Then 8 years later it shows them in an argument, hinting that abuse can go on for years and be very damaging.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sFRt-dotN0

This is a website dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and it gives a hotline for people to call. It gives information on laws, frequently asked questions and even shows events that the public can attend to further their knowledge on the issue of child abuse and find ways that they can help stop  it.

http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/abuse-hotline

Murder

1. Homicide is the killing of another human being. The difference between homicide and murder is that with murder, there is INTENT to kill another human being. Someone can be charged with homicide when there are other mitigating factors involved, for example a car accident. But when someone is charged with murder, there was homicide as well as the malicious intent.

The categories that I was able to find included: 1^st degree murder, 2^nd degree murder, 3^rd degree murder, Felony murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, justifiable homicide, state-sanctioned homicide.

2.  In Akron, Ohio a man named Richard Beasley and a teen named Brogan Rafferty were accused of murdering 3 men. These men were lured to Beasley’s rural home by answering bogus craigslist ads. The ads were placed on craigslist as “farmhand jobs that would pay $300 a week”.

A fourth victim, 49 year old Scott Davis actually survived the ordeal. He had heard Beasley click the gun and then realized that he was in danger, he ran and hid in the woods and was able to get a hold of police at a nearby house. Davis testified against Beasley in court. Beasley was found guilty of 1^st degree murder and faces the death penalty. His accomplice, Rafferty who is now 18 years old was found guilty of 1^st degree murder and since he is not able to face the death penalty, was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11/us-usa-crime-craigslist-idUSBRE92A11N20130311

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57575610-504083/craigslist-murder-case-ohio-jury-recommends-death-penalty-for-richard-beasley/

The victims are portrayed as innocent men who were in need of a job. The offender of course is portrayed in a bad light. The prosecutor said that Beasley was a “master manipulator” who preyed on people who were “easy targets and desperate for a better life”. The killings are discussed by the media but honestly they aren’t as dramatic as some of the other’s I have read about.

3. This man, Mark Mullan is convicted of vehicular homicide and assault charges for killing 2 and injuring 2 in a car crash. This is considered homicide because he did not set out to kill people as in murder but I believe the assault charges are attached because of his blood alcohol level.

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/vehicular-homicide-assault-charges-filed-in-seattle-crash-that-killed-2-injured-mom-and-baby/2013/03/28/0a55e04e-9804-11e2-b5b4-b63027b499de_story.html

 I wanted to find something that had to deal with my hometown of Orlando, Florida so I found the recent case of Timothy Davis, a retired Orlando police officer who was on trial for shooting and killing his 22 year old son. He was acquitted of all charges today (March 30^th) just before 6:00pm.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-02-14/news/os-timothy-davis-trial-verdict-opd-murder-20130214_1_timothy-davis-tarsha-davis-second-degree-murder

Mob Violence

1. Mob violence is a disturbance of the peace by several persons, assembled and acting with a common intent in executing a lawful or unlawful enterprise in a violent and turbulent matter. A couple of examples could be riots, and picketing or strikes. I believe that this type of violence exists because generally, a point wants to be made and the group all have a common goal that they want to reach. Whether it be a law changed, or pay raises, the mob believes that they are more powerful as a group than as individuals.

2.  In 1966 from July 18^th to July 23^rd, the Hough Riots took place in a predominantly African American community of Hough in Cleveland, Ohio. The riots caused 30 people to be critically injured and sadly 4 African Americans were killed as well. In the end there were a total of 275 arrests made and more than 240 fires reported. It all started at a bar where blacks were not being served. Eventually a group of African Americans gathered outside, more and more people started to join in as word got around. Eventually they began chanting “black power”, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails which caused police and firemen to come to the scene. When police arrived the violence intensified because of racial tension at the time. Gunfire started as well as brick throwing. After almost a week, heavy rains helped put an end to the violence. The riots caused people to leave the area as well as jobs. Decades of disinvestment followed these riots but since the late 1990’s there has been some redevelopment. The media explains it as both the victims and offenders being black and white but puts more emphasis on blacks being the victims rather than the offenders.

3.

1. The stonewall riot on June 28^th 1969 was caused because when police went to make their usual arrests at a gay bar, patrons didn’t cooperate or disperse as the police had planned they would. They were sick and tired of their way of life being criminalized and weren’t going to put up with it anymore. This riot eventually lead to more organized protests and a higher profile for the gay rights movement. 

http://www.forensiccolleges.net/blog/2010/10-worst-riots-in-american-history/

2. Oh March 20^th 1981 Michael Donald, a young African American man was murdered by two KKK members in Mobile, Alabama. The murder is sometimes referred to as the last recoded lynching in the united states. Basically what happened is the two KKK members who were later found to be Henry Hays (26 years old) and James Knowles (17 years old), were driving around looking for a victim, and they found Donald walking home. They kidnapped him, drove him to a secluded wooded area, attacked him, beat him with a tree limb, wrapped rope around his neck and used it to strangle him then slit his throat and hung him from a tree in front of Hays house. Eventually Hays was convicted and was put to death in the electric chair on June 6^th, 1997. Knowles however avoided the death penalty by testifying against Hays at trial and he was sentenced to life in prison.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Donald

Sexual Assault / Rape

1. The population of the state of Ohio is 11,544,951  and the incidents reported for rape is  3,631

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/table-5

2. For any other felony, the incident must be reported within six years after the offense took place. For any misdemeanor, the incident must be reported within two years after the offense took place. For any minor misdemeanor, the incident must be reported within six months after the offense took place. Within 20 years after the offense took place for the following offences, or for conspiracy or attempt to commit the following offenses: Rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, gross sexual imposition.

http://rainn.org/public-policy/legal-resources/ohio

3. Under the definition of rape, there were different kinds. The basis of the definition was that no person shall engage in sexual conduct with another who is not the spouse of the offender or who is the spouse of the offender but is living separate and apart from the offender…

… when any of the following applies:

a- For the purpose of preventing resistance, the offender substantially impairs the other person’s judgment or control by administering any drug, intoxicant, or controlled substance to    theother person surreptitiously or by force, threat of force, or deception.

b- The other person is less than 13 years old, whether or not the offender knows this.

c- The other person’s ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition, or because of advanced age and the offender knows that the other person’s ability is impaired.

Whosoever violates this is guilty of rape, a felony in the first degree.

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2907.02

4.  Patrick Rieder, Jason Zwick, and an adoptive father of 3 boys and 1 girl were all sentenced to long prison sentences for rape. Apparently the adoptive father whose name isn’t being released to protect the identity of the children victims, arranged with Rieder and Zwick to have sex with his young sons. He brought the young boys to Rieder’s Dayton home where both men raped the boys. The children’s ages ranged from 9-12 at the time of the arrests. The adoptive father has pleaded guilty twice. Once to 6 counts of raping three young boys in his care for which prosecutors recommended a sentence of 60 years to life. He also pleaded guilty to one count each of child rape and complicity to rape which calls for 50 years to life. Jason Zwick pleaded no contest to one count of child rape and was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison. Rieder pled guilty to 27 counts including rape  of a child under 13, pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material or performance. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/02/ohio-adoption-child-rape/1885429/

5. One of the PSA’s that I found on YouTube had to do with soldiers who are raping the women who live in the country in which they are fighting. It shocked me because I guess I never really thought that soldiers would do something terrible like that. But obviously it’s a big problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1sbF6gx0cU

One of the first movies that came to my mind when I thought about ones that had to do with rape/ sexual assault was the movie Precious. It’s a beautiful but sad movie about the effects of sexual assault and rape. A young girl is raped by her father and abused physically and sometimes sexually by her mother. She already has one baby by her father and is pregnant with another one by him. The movie shows how it takes a toll on her self esteem which can effect school, friendships and her entire life. I think it accurately shows the devastating effects of being raped or sexually abused.

http://youtu.be/2Zw8TdMxdKM

 

Hate Crime in Ohio

1. Population- 9,879,527

    Incidents Reported- 228

2. The state of Ohio covers Bias-Motivated Violence and Intimidation, Civil Action, Race, Religion, Ethnicity and Institutional Vandalism. It does not cover Sexual Orientation, Gender, Disability, Other, Data Collection, or Training for Law Enforcement Personnel.

3.Under Crime/Penalty enhancement it states that the penalty is enhanced for “ethnic intimidation” when certain offenses are committed by reason of the victim’s race, color, religion, or natural origin. Under Institutional Vandalism it states that no person, without privilege to do so, shall purposely deface, damage, pollute, or otherwise physically mistreat a place of worship, its furnishings, or religious artifacts or sacred texts within the place of worship or within the grounds upon which the place of worship is located or any other object of reverence or sacred devotion.

4. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/16-sent-prison-hate-crimes-against-amish_700472.html

Sixteen people were sent to jail for committing religiously motivated assaults against members of the Amish church. Apparently there were ongoing disputes between the groups and there were multiple incidents in which the non-Amish group forcibly removed beard and head hair from practitioners of the Amish faith. The assaults were well planned out and last September, a jury found the perpetrators guilty after a lengthy trial.

5. http://www.wegiveadamn.org/2010/10/new-video-hate-crimes-we-give-a-damn/

This is an organization called The Give A Damn Campaign. This group focuses on hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There is a ton of awesome information about this campaign but basically it is a project of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund and it’s a web based initiative to educate and engage the straight community in the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=durNwe9pL0E

I actually just recently saw the movie Crash for the first time. It was SUCH a great movie and it really opens your eyes to hate crime and discrimination in our country. It was definitely a tear jerker but sent a very powerful message. It focuses mainly on racism and how people have misconceptions about a race that they’re not really familiar with. If anyone is interested in a very good movie that opens your eyes to the issue of hate crimes dealing with racism, then I definitely suggest the movie Crash!

IPV and DV in Ohio

News Story: A parolee is accused of punching the mother of his child in the head, and then kicking her as she was lying on the ground. 42 year old Stanley Pearson was arrested on a felony domestic violence charge. He had previously served time for other convictions of felony domestic violence in 1996, 1998 and 2011. For the previous convictions, he served jail time and was sentenced to intensive supervisory probation and three years of community control. His bond is currently set at $100,000. The reason for the fight, the condition of the mother and whether or not the child was present at the time of the attack is all unknown.

http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x1922396037/Alliance-man-accused-of-punching-kicking-childs-mother

1: In the state of Ohio if you attempt to cause or cause bodily harm you will face class I misdemeanor charges, if you threaten or cause a family or household member to believe that physical harm will be caused, you  will face class IV misdemeanor charges. It becomes a felony once a third conviction of domestic violence is committed. The term “domestic” does not mean the incident has to occur between spouses. Domestic applies to any of the following relationships: roommate, spouse, someone you share a child with, any family member, ex-spouse, parent or child, live in girlfriend/boyfriend, relatives by marriage.

2: As I was researching safe places where victims of DV and IPV can go in Ohio, I counted over 100 shelters and programs that offer help.  (http://www.actionohio.org/ohiodvshelter.htm)  One of these shelters is the Genesis House, this is located in a confidential location and it offers safety, shelter, food, advocacy, counseling and education for victims. (http://www.cityoflorain.org/police/programs__services/domestic_violence_victims_rights)

One of the many organizations offering help in Ohio was a part of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). They offer a variety of programs to help victims as well as The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. (http://www.ncadv.org/files/Ohio.pdf)

 There are numerous other hotlines that victims can call 24 hours a day. A program called Action Ohio is a coalition for battered women.  After someone is arrested for a domestic violence issue, if the perpetrator is lucky enough to be granted bail, a temporary restraining order will be put in place to ensure the safety of the victim.  (http://www.myohiodefenselawyer.com/criminal-charges/domestic-violence-laws/ )

3: There are so many videos you can look up these days on the popular video site youtube.com. Some of the really popular ones are makeup tutorials. As a PSA this woman made a special makeup tutorial for battered women and demonstrated how to do makeup tricks to help hide bruises and marks. It makes the viewer feel awful and at the end of the video she hears a noise, looks frightened and hurriedly turns the camera off. I thought it was an extremely powerful video.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/domestic-violence-psa-disguised-makeup-tutorial-battered-women-article-1.1108515

Another video I found was filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s extremely moving and has to do with people either getting involved when they hear abuse happening, or whether they stay out of it and ignore the fact that something serious is going on.

http://amplifyyourvoice.org/u/afy_samantha/2010/12/04/amazing-domestic-violence-psa-from-south-africa