A new forensic net
posted 29th September 2022
There is a need to redress one of the significant issues in our world - the abuse of children and the perpetrators that get away with their unspeakable crimes. These despicable people and their enablers hide in plain sight, and they find ways to transfer the blame in any way they can from their illicit actions to keep their self-gratifying egos buoyant. Some may capitalise on a veil of secrecy borne through survivors' feelings of shame, guilt, and brokenness. Others are secure knowing that intimidation, threats of violence, or plying victims with narcotics and alcohol will keep them quiet.
Many of us would agree that countless numbers of these heinous child abuse crimes go unreported or dismissed and ignored. But doesn't this help give another layer of protection to the wrongdoer? Together, we face the enormity of this big problem in society but has the balance tipped too far? Are we too late to change how society deals with current and historical child abuse? Perhaps, it seems impossible to get more offenders to be made accountable for their appalling crimes against children. Yet, we would all agree that it is time to unmask the 'wolves'.
Bring forth a miraculous way that obtains definitive evidence and gives our society what it desperately needs - a new forensic net. Exploration, science, and what is already known to everyone can all play a part in this new forensic net. I propose a new approach to seeing things not seen before. It doesn't mean that the evidence has never been there, but if you think about it, how can we look for something that we didn't know existed? So finding a new way to point the spotlight at the child abuser to catch and convict them beyond a reasonable doubt is possible. Then the 'wolves' will cry and protest, knowing they are held accountable because the new forensic evidence speaks so loudly.
An evidential loophole
Many survivors of childhood abuse may get forgotten, dismissed, and overlooked because their testimony wouldn't make it high-profile enough to boost the public interest. No accusations of implicating an organised group of child abusers or a celebrity generate a national outcry. As a result, thousands of survivors cannot get justice for what happened to them as children. The abuse remains hidden behind closed doors, and the evidence is destroyed to create doubt and circumstantial dis-proof.
When child abuse cases make it to court, there is a trawling through all evidence supporting the accuser's testimony. The focus lies with the recall of events and then the opposing denial of the shocking details. Both allow the ambiguity to widen, and the accused slips through the net. Sadly, this disarray adds to the survivors' trauma by fueling their already fraught emotions with more doubt, insecurity, fear of exposure, disbelief, and public stigma. So I believe something new is needed to plug the gap and stop the child abusers from slipping through an evidential loophole.
The trauma of an abusive childhood
In the context of the new forensic net, the trauma I am referring to here is the abuse of children, whether sexual, physical, emotional, or psychological. No act of abuse perpetrated by an adult that preys on a child's vulnerabilities inflicts just one cruel action that is solely one form of abuse. There is always the added cruelty of manipulation, enforced secrecy and threats, neglectful dismissal, and disregard. You know what I mean—the look behind the eyes that signal the intended malice: no words or physical contact, just proximity. Yet, the intent is clear and threatening - you had better watch it or else!
So how can one way of forensic detection highlight the abuse inflicted on children, whether physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual? Well, I propose an answer that will indicate without uncertain terms that abuse occurred and was perpetrated by that person and involved that child. Even when that child is now an adult and the perpetrator is still alive, there will be indelible evidence linking both to that interactive abuse event.
Making the impossible possible
Making the impossible possible is a big ask of anyone to achieve, irrelevant of their life experience, occupation, or family history. But, I believe it will take an extraordinary individual to bring forth the secrets of the human body and share them with the world. There is much more to reveal about the human body and how it responds to childhood trauma, and it may help change how abuse is dealt with in our society for the greater good. It intends to shift justice toward survivors of any age who experienced abuse in childhood.
There is always the question of validity and acceptance of a new way of doing things. Unfortunately, for some, it takes time for trust to build across different scientific and judicial disciplines. Perhaps, there are doubts already in the realms of 'you're trying to make the impossible possible,' or 'it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack.' But, be assured that the three crucial areas for evidence collection will open the door to getting more than enough definitive evidence to catch and convict child abusers.
Now let's address the big question: How can a new forensic net be possible? The forensic net is unique because the procedures I propose are revolutionary and intend to bring a new dimension to the value of the evidence collected. I believe the forensic science modalities for this new evidence finding are already available. All that is required is using existing scientific equipment differently, thus, allowing quick implementation. Of course, I cannot disclose the specific details of the new methodologies in my blog as it is not the proper forum. But instead, I can reveal them to those individuals who want to pursue a good cause with me.
Here's a snapshot of what I propose. The vital evidence that has been overlooked and missed for some time shall be made evident. It includes collecting forensic samples from a critical point on the body that absorbed proof from the victim and perpetrator. This exchange of evidence is a vital clue of proximity and involvement in the act of child abuse. Analysing these key samples shall bring definitive proof to set the cat amongst the pigeons.
The new forensic net will enable a way to find the definitive biomarker molecule that links the abuser to the child and the abuse committed. Thus, it's about getting conclusive proof that it occurred and involved the accused and the accuser with no blurred boundaries or false positives. But just as importantly, there is no way another individual has the same abuse biomarker even if they were in the same place at the same time or happened to live or visit the same site where child abuse occurred.
Conclusion
For all the reasons highlighted in this blog, there must be a change in how to catch and convict child abuse offenders. This new way forward in forensic detection intends to give new meaning and purpose to getting definitive evidence and help make a difference in the lives of adults and children abused in childhood. Furthermore, the benefit of having a different forensic net is its ability to plug the gap and stop child abusers from slipping through an evidential loophole.
Circumstantial evidence enables doubt to creep in, manifesting in disparaging the victim and disbelief of what is alleged. So the new approach for evidence collection and analysis would obtain the surest proof that the victim was there, and the perpetrator(s) was there and played an active part in harming the victim. If definitive proof shows the abuser had to be there, doesn't that answer the question of their whereabouts? Then, the vile individuals that evade the police shall finally be held accountable for their illegal behaviour. Thus, securing a new forensic net protects future generations of children and vulnerable adults and allows many more survivors to get the justice and healing they deserve.
Need support?
Please contact me if you want to know more about the new forensic net proposal or seek help to take the next step on your healing journey from childhood abuse.
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect. If you would like to find other options for support in the UK, whether or not you have chosen to report to the police, contact NAPAC.
