Enhancing Child Protection: Analyzing Bill HB1518 for Sexual Abuse Penalties
Bill HB1518 proposes increasing the penalty for adults committing sexual abuse against children under 15, elevating the offense from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 5 felony. Despite aiming to reduce sexual abuse, many challenges arise, including a lack of support, financial costs, and unrealistic goals. Surveys reveal the need for better strategies to protect vulnerable adolescents aged 13 and 14. This bill aligns with social work values of justice and dignity but requires thorough evaluation and support to ensure effectiveness and sustainability in combating sexual abuse.
Enhancing Child Protection: Analyzing Bill HB1518 for Sexual Abuse Penalties
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Presentation Transcript
HB 1518 Social Work Policy Tyresa Johnson 4/15/13
Bill & Bill History • HB1518: Increases the penalty for any adult who commits an act of sexual abuse with a child under 15 from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 5 felony. • History: Many attempts were made but there was no contact with Delegate Lewis or anyone from his office
Surveys • 10 anonymous surveys from random people • 2 anonymous surveys to Juvenile Court Services and Foster Care agency in Roanoke, Virginia
Approach • Consumption approach to meet an immediate need • The basic goal is to hopefully reduce sexual abuse • Social Work Values: social justice and dignity & worth of person.
Need • Isolated -Meets the need of adolescents that are 13 and 14 only • Addresses the social problem of sexual abuse against minors • Partially rational
Assessment • Strengths: • longer sentencing • Weaknesses • Lack of support • Financial Cost • No services for offender • Unrealistic goal • Lack of space in prisons
Logic • Goals are not logical nor realistic • The way it is set up is only partially effective
Support • Funded by state and local government • Not cost effective/ Financial conflict • Only person pushing this Bill is Delegate Lewis
Innovation • Needs to be thought out more • There would need to be more money involved, and more room in the prisons
Social Justice • Consistent with social work values • Gives a security to victim
My Thoughts • Agreed with the bill at first • Doing the assessment made me realize it wasn’t well thought out and there were too many weaknesses • Hopefully changes will be made so that the bill will pass next year • Maybe a new patron can make it more successful