Ann Ashmead This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News

   www.dallasnews.com/sharedconte - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/16/2007   Last Visited: 1/17/2007

   Ann Ashmead, a clinical social worker with the Arlington Police Department, said this type of behavior is not limited to children in lower income levels. Instead of a few dollars, it might take an iPod or concert ticket to persuade a middle-class teen to participate in similar sexual activity.
   
   "The high-income kids can be tempted just as easily," she said.
   
   Ms. Ashmead said teens often think of this activity as something they do now but don't consider as their future.
   
   "There is no way for them to know the far-ranging consequences of their actions," she said.
   ...
   Ms. Ashmead said that parents should talk to their children about this case, alert them to dangers on the Internet and monitor their online activity closely. She said children are more likely to be victimized if parents aren't communicating openly with their children and keeping tabs on their online whereabouts.
   
   "What the bad guy is counting on is that we aren't talking to our children," Ms. Ashmead said.

2. 2. APD Media Release - Arlington police encourage child sexual assault victims to report crimes; offer tips for parents

   www.arlingtonpd.org/MediaRelea - [Cached]

   Published on: 10/18/2005   Last Visited: 1/3/2008

   Ann Ashmead, a licensed clinical social worker who serves as the Arlington Police Department's youth and family specialist said pedophiles often join an organization, such as a church, school or community group, to become part of the group and build trust.
   
   "Pedophiles groom," Ashmead said.
   ...
   Ashmead noted that adolescence is often a difficult time. "When that's complicated by a pedophile offending them, especially when it's someone trusted by the whole family, that can add to the confusion and make it very, very difficult to report a crime against them," she said.
   
   Pedophiles even groom their victims to think that they are at fault, Ashmead said. "Often, that's why victims don't come forward to report crimes against them - because they have been made to feel guilty for their participation," she said.
   
   Ashmead said that it is important for victims to report crimes even when it is difficult because they could be saving another child - or even many more - from being molested in the future. "Pedophiles don't just wake up one day as adults and say, 'I think I am sexually attracted to a child,' " she said. "Pedophiles rarely have only one victim."
   
   Ashmead, along with Detectives Weber and Hubbard, partner with the Alliance for Children in Arlington.

3. 3. APD Media Release - Crime Stoppers tip leads Arlington Police to arrest man for sexual offenses against minors Investigators believe additional victims have not yet stepped forward

   www.arlingtonpd.org/MediaRelea - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/16/2007   Last Visited: 1/3/2008

   Ann Ashmead, a licensed clinical social worker and the Arlington Police Department's youth and family specialist, encourages parents to talk to their children about this case in an age-appropriate manner. She also encourages parents to regularly inspect their children's email and Internet accounts to see who they are having contact with.
   
   "This is an example of how people you meet on the Internet might not be who they say they are," Ashmead said. "Explain to your children that there is never a reason for anyone to ask to see them naked or partially nude, not even a parent or a doctor - who makes you cover up - and certainly not someone they meet on the Internet. Tell your children to tell you or another adult if they are ever approached to do something they know is wrong."
   
   Ashmead said that even if parents think their children know better, "you have to continue talking about safety on the Internet.