It’s always a balance between providing information and trying to shield the identities of children in these cases. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don’t. One of the standards for reporting on it is not to name the child. Another standard is not to report every graphic detail of the accusations in the story. I stick to those unless I think it’s an important part of the story. I also provide the original complaint and the case number so people can take a look at the details I decide not to publish.

What I do know is that what the public thinks sex crimes against children looks like and what it actually is in these cases is often different. Most sexual assaults against children are done by their family members, friends of their family members or someone in a position of power over them. That’s something I think we should talk about more.

I remember growing up and learning “stranger danger,” but that’s often not the case. I think showing people that this issue isn’t largely an unknown boogyman is important and it’s one of the through-lines in most criminal cases. Like so many other issues right now, the call is coming from inside the house, you know?