By LEONARD GRAY

ST. ROSE – Children as victims of sex crimes – is it a growing problem, or is it more people are reporting such crimes?

In St. Charles Parish, it is a combination of both, but “awareness is coming,” according to St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Sgt. Pat Baudoin.

Baudoin is one of five detectives in the Juvenile Crime Division, which deals with any crimes committed by or to a juvenile. She has worked 11 years in this area of law enforcement in her 18-year career.

“I’ve always wanted to work with kids,” Baudoin said. “I find it challenging, and I feel I’m helping the victims and the community.”

She admitted, though, dealing with sex crimes upon juveniles is emotionally draining. However, she proceeds to do her own job and not let her feelings intrude.

“We’re fact-finders. We have to be professional,” she said.

In St. Charles Parish during 2001, two obscenity cases were reported, with one arrest. This year, so far, three cases were reported through August, with two arrests.

Carnal knowledge of a juvenile cases totaled 11 in 2001, with five arrests. That number dropped to seven cases so far this year, with four arrests. This is defined as sexual contact between a juvenile, aged 12-16, with an adult aged 17 or more, where the age difference is greater than two years. Maximum sentence is 10 years in prison.

Indecent behavior with a juvenile totaled eight instances in 2001 with seven arrests. So far this year, four cases were reported with four arrests. This is defined as commission of a lewd act on or in the presence of a juvenile by an adult aged 17 or more, where the age difference is greater than two years. Maximum sentence is seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

There were no instances of sexual battery reported in 2001, and five in 2002, with two arrests. Sexual battery is defined as contact with the victim’s private parts, where the victim is less than 15 years old and is at least three years younger than the offender. Lack of knowledge of the victim’s age is no defense. Maximum sentence is 10 years in prison.

There was one instance in 2001 and one in 2002 so far of oral sexual battery, with one arrest last year and none yet this year. Maximum sentence is 15 years in prison.

Simple rape against juveniles totaled three in 2001, with three arrests. In 2002 so far, one simple rape was reported, with two arrests. Simple rape is defined as a non-violent rape, such as the victim being intoxicated or drugged by someone other than the offender, or otherwise incapable of resistance. Maximum penalty is 25 years in prison.

Forcible rape against juveniles totaled one in 2001, with one arrest, and no instances so far this year. Forcible rape is defined as a violent rape, where resistance failed or where the victim was intoxicated or drugged by the offender. Maximum penalty is 40 years in prison.

Aggravated rape against juveniles totaled seven instances in 2001, with five arrests, and two instances in 2002, with no arrests so far. This is defined where the victim is under the age of 12, and lack of knowledge of the victim’s age is no defense.

The youngest such victim Baudoin has dealt with was 2, which was especially hard, since the victim was unable to testify.

One area of sex crimes against juveniles may turn out to be much more prevalent than believed – when the victims are male. “For males, it’s harder to talk about it,” Baudoin said. For example, in the notorious Brian Matherne case in Norco, it was years before victims came forward.

Normally, it is a person known to the victim of a sex crime, an acquaintance or family member. The sexual predator who targets strangers is certainly out there, Baudoin said, but the likelihood is more often a family member or friend is the perpetrator.

Concerned parents are encouraged to look up registered sex offenders who may be living in their neighborhood on the Internet. Louisiana State Police maintains a statewide registry at www.lasocpr.lsp.org/socpr. The offenders are listed by name, any aliases, street address, crimes committed, and with a photograph.

Victims also have several places where they can let someone know what has happened or continues to happen. Certain professions are mandated to report any instances they learn of, including teachers and doctors.

At the same time, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office has resource officers in all schools, teaching classes and making friends among the students. This gives them daily contact with a friendly, non-threatening police officer and, Baudoin said, this helps such victims find the courage to approach one and report a sex crime.

She said she frequently finds a child who is being sexually abused by a family member, such as a father, stepfather or single mother’s boyfriend, is afraid to report the crime, since he is also the breadwinner and sole income source for the family. Most often, though, the victim is afraid of not being believed.

The victim is interviewed at a secure place, protected by officers, and the interview is videotaped as part of evidence-gathering. They work with the investigators and later the district attorney’s prosecutors toward arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

At the same time, according to Lt. Robert Dale of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the victims are also made aware of local counseling services, such as the Center for Family and Youth Services and the Madere Advocacy Center, both in Luling, as well as Associated Catholic Charities in Hahnville.

Dale, a 26-year law enforcement veteran, has been with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office for 21 years, and at his present assignment for nearly six years.

The Madere Children’s Advocacy Center, operated by the St. Charles Council for Prevention of Child Abuse, provides a “softer environment” for interviews of child victims, according to Trish Hattier. At the same time, therapy programs are available, as well as educational outreach programs such as the “Kids on the Block” puppet program.

The Center is headed by Wayne Gaupp and may be contacted at 985-331-2353. Volunteers are also needed.

The Center for Family and Youth Services Inc., at 13101 River Road in Luling, provides long-term services for such victim, dealing with the effect of the abuse where it affects the entire family, where it affects their relationships with peers and where it could lead to substance abuse.

For this, the center offers individual and group counseling, according to director Dr. Danny Roussel.

The center may be contacted at 985-331-1999.

Associated Catholic Charities is located at 15090 River Road, behind the Lemmon law firm, across from the courthouse in Hahnville.

Administrator Peter Yuslum said the agency deals with individual and family counseling, and also deals with related issues such as anger management and domestic violence, besides making referrals to other agencies.

“We’re part of the whole process,” Yuslum said, and added their services are available to people of all faiths, not just to the Catholic population.

Associated Catholic Charities’ local number is 985-783-2907. An open house at their new location is planned for Nov. 19.

The agencies are financially supported in part by United Way of St. Charles.