This is a very difficult subject. One that few people want to talk about, and fewer people even want to acknowledge. Why? Because it’s uncomfortable, and it puts into sharp focus the fact that even children are capable of doing terrible things that are damaging to others.

When it’s your child perpetrating the actions, you’re often horrified and embarrassed, unsure of what to do next. When your child is the victim, you’re worried that what happened will be minimized, or dismissed, and no one will believe you. But child on child abuse is a very real problem today, and it isn’t handled the same way as adult abuse of children.

When the perpetrator is an adult, the solution is clear

When the perpetrator is an adult, no one questions what to do: call the cops, tell them what happened, and they’ll arrest the abuser and take them away. Problem solved. But what about when it’s a child molesting other children.

What should be done, and how should it be handled? You can’t usually convict a child of a crime in the same way you do an adult, and send them to prison. But on the other hand, it can’t just be swept under the rug or ignored. So what happens next?

A Michigan case highlighted this exact scenario earlier this year

In Battle Creek earlier this year, a story broke in the news about three boys, aged 11 to 13, who were accused of sexually assaulting two younger boys in a garage (which they are suspected of later burning down to destroy evidence.)

The victims, aged 6 and 8, told their mothers about the assaults on the day of the fire, but police suspected that there were other victims out there that we didn’t know about yet. The three young abusers were charged with juvenile First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct charges, which is still a very serious crime under Michigan law, despite being a “juvenile” crime.

Child-on-child abuse cases are handled very differently

In Michigan, juvenile crimes are handled by the Family Court system, and the penalties tend to be focused more on rehabilitation rather than punishment. That doesn’t mean, however, that the consequences won’t be severe.

Children accused of sexually abusing other children might spend years in a juvenile jail, or if the case is severe enough, might even be tried as adults and go to prison. Each case is different, and the way it plays out depends on the severity of the abuse, the age of the abuser, and many other factors surrounding the case.

Defending children against abuse charges requires finesse and skill

Current statistics show that a full third of sexual abuse is caused by people under the age of 18. At The Kronzek Firm, our skilled abuse and neglect defense attorneys understand exactly what’s at stake in child on child sexual abuse cases

. We have decades of experience in successfully defending a client’s rights, and winning. With many years of combined courtroom experience with juvenile and criminal defense, we have the knowledge, resources, and strategy you need in tough times like this. Call 866 766 5245 today and talk to someone who can help.