Case asks: Can a 6-year-old commit sexual assault?

[Snoutport]

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_c13c6a62-72b8-11e0-8659-001cc4c03286.html

Grant County authorities have accused a 6-year-old boy of first-degree sexual assault of a child for allegedly playing “doctor” with a 5-year-old girl in September.

Holy Cow! I wonder when he learns to write his name if they'll make him register as a sex offender?

What do y'all think about this?

[hlthe2b]

1. No No No No No No NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!

THis is insane. That is a CHILD. That is normal curiosity for a five/six year old. UNBELIEVABLE!

[franzia99]

9. grabbing teenagers' breasts and rubbing yourself on their legs isn't normal curiosity

If you read the rest of the article. I'm not saying a criminal action is appropriate, but some kind of intervention is needed.

[hlthe2b]

14. It is called basic Parenting 101 and a lesson on personal boundaries

Simple basic parenting.

[franzia99]

30. Yes it is. The parents aren't succeeding obviously so state intervention is needed.

The article also says he penetrated the little girl. Obviously something isn't working here and people are getting hurt.

[Quantess]

19. yeah, like parental intervention.

[franzia99]

31. And since that hasn't succeeded, state intervention.

He penetrated a little girl here. Yes he's young but nothing else has worked so state intervention is needed. I'm not saying as punishment but to make sure that whatever problem he has that's causing this gets addressed. Victims have rights too.

[Snoutport]

13. +1 more NO

[uppityperson]

27. "normal curiosity for a five/six year old" involves sticking finger in another child's vagina?

Did you even read the story in the OP? It is incredible. Sounds like a real mess. I hope they get the boy the help and supervision he needs to keep himself and others safe.

[franzia99]

32. Agreed. Victims have rights too. To me it's not about punishing him, it's about protecting others.

And seeing that he gets the help he needs.

[uppityperson]

34. Exactly. eom

[rurallib]

2. that is fucking insane.

[KittyWampus]

3. I think behavior like playing doctor can and most often IS normal and healthy. But it can also

cross a line into abuse and that some very young children can be sexual predators. For instance:

"But Mike Walsh, Dane County deputy district attorney in charge of juvenile cases, said even very young children can engage in “extreme victimizing behaviors.” The youngest child Walsh brought a petition against for sexual assault was an 8-year-old boy who repeatedly raped his 5-year-old sister."

[Snoutport]

15. but do these kids go to jail? is that the best place to heal them?

[KittyWampus]

18. No, but maybe sometimes it's very difficult to get kids the help they need through normal channels.

[Snoutport]

23. Yeah, I know. I'm a teacher with emotionally disturbed students

So, believe me, I know!

[w8liftinglady]

24. my partner was talking about sexual acts of 4th graders in his school.

when they get the facts,usually one or both have been sexually molested.

I have to say,criminalizing the child does nothing but make him repress his past.

[AsahinaKimi]

4. I guess the next obvious question would be

6 years old? Where were the parents?

[REP]

5. His behavior indicates he needs behavioral counseling; apparently, his parents aren't cooperating

It sounds to be more than simple "doctor" games of "show me yours and I'll show mine;" this involved penetration of the younger child and frottage with his babysitters. At the least, he needs to be taught appropriate behavior; at the worst, there needs to be an investigation of sexual abuse of the older child.

[KittyWampus]

10. Thanks for reading the entire article. And it's possible this little tyke has been subjected

to some inappropriate behavior somewheres else. It says he'd recently been given several enemas. That could be on doctor's orders or not?

[Brickbat]

11. Yup. It's more than "doctor," and if this is a way to get the kid the help he needs -- well, it's

not ideal, but there's bad shit going on and someone has to step in for him.

[bluestateguy]

6. NO

and anyone who says otherwise is either ignorant or an ideological zealot.

[Nevernose]

7. In most states the cut off age is 7 or 8

Younger than that, the person watching them (or supposed to be watching them) is legally responsible for their actions, because they're not old enough to be responsible for something themselves. So theoretically, if you took your kindergartner to the 7-11 and they took a piece of candy and you didn't even notice it, you could be charged with petit larceny.

This is of course an oversimplification, but that's the gist of it most places.

If there was more to it than playing doctor, then that's a very young child who clearly needs help and intervention, not prosecution. If it was a kid honestly playing doctor, even with the other child unwilling, then the case is totally insane.

[franzia99]

8. "A 2nd petition alleges that he repeatedly grabbed the breasts of two teenage baby sitters, took

took off his clothes and rubbed himself on their legs and tried to kiss them."

I'm not saying this should be a criminal matter, but this isn't normal behavior. Something is going on with this kid and he needs help. Perhaps it's the case that he's being sexually abused by an adult, I'm not sure. But something isn't right.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

17. That seems too precocious and might be an indication that he's either watched

someone having sex or was himself molested. In any way, this should not be criminal matter.

[Arugula Latte]

26. Yes it seems likely he was molested. The scrutiny should be on the adults around him.

[JVS]

12. No.

[LisaL]

16. I don't have any problem with what they are trying to do.

It appears they are trying to get help for this child so this type of alleged behavior does not escalate even further.

[uppityperson]

29. Seriously. Help him and protect the other kids.

[CBGLuthier]

20. Well hell, guess I best turn myself in. it was about 44 years ago I think

What are these people, fucking morons?

[Odin2005]

21. No, it sounds like HE was a victim of sexual abuse, though.

a little kid putting the moves on his babysitter is good evidence of abuse.

[cali]

22. aaargh. I'm with Judith Levine who wrote Harmful to Minors: The

Perils of Protecting our Children from Sex.

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

[uppityperson]

25. Yes, a 6 yr old can. But there is some huge reason a 6 yr old would. Need to look at why

what the kid's life was up to here and get him/her the treatment and/or supervision needed to keep all safe. Protecting other children is necessary also.

[XanaDUer]

28. No

nt.

[Liberal_in_LA]

33. no...in my opinion.

[blueamy66]

35. I think it's a bunch of horseshit.

What is becoming of our court systems?

I'm with CBG...they shoulda put me in jail 35 years ago when I played doctor with the neighbor.

[alphafemale]

36. Just wait until next year.

They'll charge a two year old with indecency for fondling himself in public and slap a life-long sex offender tag on him.