Is there Justice for COCSA Victims?
- Ashley Anderson PI
- Dec 5, 2023
- 3 min read
Sexual abuse is a crime. Or so you would think…
COCSA is a complicated issue. Below is space held for the child who suffered at the hands of another child and their abusive behavior.
Please be advised as there is explicit content below.
There are many COCSA survivors out there. Some can share the abuse they endured while many others silently carry the memories deep in their subconscious mind and nervous system. We are learning more every day about how trauma affects our entire existence…mind, body, and soul.
The trauma from COCSA is life altering. Survivors and their families often face the harsh reality of a sexual abuse crime that is grossly minimized within our justice system.
Children can and do abuse other children by sodomy, rape, and molestation. However, something as simple as a child’s age or gender can prevent our institutions from doing what it takes to bring “justice” a major conduit in healing, to COCSA survivors and their families.
COCSA survivors may also describe what I know to be coercive control and manipulation by their abuser. This can keep a victim silenced for decades after their abuse.
The sexually abused child is filled with shame. Shame is a silent killer and one of the most common side effects of abuse.
I have spoken to COCSA survivors as adults who struggle with drug addiction, prostitution, homelessness, and other altered life paths because of the trauma they endured.
There is a drastic portion of the population who is unsure whether they can hold space for themselves after experiencing COCSA. This is especially common when both the children were the same gender.
“Is it my fault?”
“I didn’t try to stop it.”
“I put myself there.”
“I wasn’t supposed to be there.”
"I let it happen."
Regarding COCSA crimes, what does Washington State say?
Washington State RCW 26.44.160
Allegations that child under twelve committed sex offense-Investigation-Referral to prosecuting attorney-Referral to department-Referral for treatment.
Now, if you are the parent of a child who has disclosed COCSA to you, you will likely feel helpless and out of control. This is a common presentation of symptoms when parents take COCSA to law enforcement.
Why do the parents of COCSA victims feel powerless, dismissed, gaslit, and alone?
They shouldn’t, but they do.The RCW is clear and inadequately utilized.
RCW 26.44.160 generates routes of justice for victims when the abuser’s actions are held accountable by referral for treatment, at the bare minimum. This form of justice is a conduit to healing all the victims. The RCW includes parents who may also be required to use recommended services and treatment.
Why aren’t families finding justice under RCW 26.44.160?
This is what I have come up with so far:
Children in Washington are denied justice when law enforcement, prosecutors, and DCYF do not thoroughly do their job.
Law Enforcement lacks training on the recognition of Cluster B personality disorders and trauma.
There is a lack of training and expertise by LE of child victimization and offender’s behavior.
There is deeply rooted misogyny within LE and how to handle sex crimes overall.
There is a societal culture of silence and denial around the issue of child sexual abuse and that internalized societal bias reflects in law enforcements work and interpretation of the law.
Sexual assault investigators are not adequately trauma informed.
Child Protective Services DCYF = Institutional incompetence.
Betrayal by institutions by a total lack of accountability.
A complicated Statute of Limitations regarding sex crimes.
Poorly written and inaccurate police reports.
Overburdened LE
If you are a COCSA survivor, what happened to you was not okay, and most importantly it was not your fault!
Your feelings are real, and they matter. You do not have to just, “get over it.”
It’s normal to hurt because of this form of abuse.
If you are struggling in life because of unresolved COCSA in your past, there is help.
Please reach out to a doctor who can help you on a new path to healing. You can heal the pain that has deterred you from your true life calling with talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
You transcend your abuse when you heal your inner child.
I see you always,
Ash
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