Case Report: Violation of Child Protection Mandates and Sustainable Development Goals

Incident Overview

• Subject: Benjamin F. Sexton Jr., 48.
• Jurisdiction: Jefferson County, Missouri (U.S. Federal Court and Missouri State Court).
• Federal Charges: Production of child pornography, coercion and enticement of a minor, and receipt of child pornography.
• Status: The subject pleaded guilty to federal charges.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

This case directly relates to the objectives of SDG 16, which seeks to end violence against children and ensure justice through effective institutions.

1. Target 16.2 (End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children): The subject’s actions, involving the sexual abuse of two minors between the ages of 7 and 15, the recording of the abuse, and the solicitation of explicit images, constitute a severe violation of this critical target.
2. Target 16.3 (Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice): The response by law enforcement and the judicial system, resulting in a federal guilty plea and a forthcoming state trial, exemplifies the function of strong institutions in upholding the rule of law. The legal proceedings represent a crucial step toward securing justice for the victims and holding the perpetrator accountable.

Intersection with Additional Global Development Goals

The circumstances of the case also contravene several other key SDGs aimed at ensuring health, equality, and well-being for all.

• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): As the victims were girls, the crimes represent an extreme form of gender-based violence, undermining Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence and sexual exploitation against women and girls.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The profound physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon the victims is a direct assault on their right to health. The perpetrator’s act of supplying a minor with methamphetamine also connects the case to Target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

Judicial Status and Next Steps

• Federal Court Outcome: The subject has pleaded guilty to all federal charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is recommending a sentence of 27 years in prison.
• Federal Sentencing Date: Sentencing is scheduled for December 2.
• State-Level Proceedings: The subject faces an additional 15 felony child sexual abuse-related charges in Missouri’s 23rd Judicial Court.
• State Trial Date: The trial for the state charges is scheduled for October 14.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • This goal is central to the article, which focuses on crimes of violence and exploitation against children and the response of the justice system. The entire narrative revolves around the legal process, from the investigation and charges to the guilty plea and impending sentencing, highlighting the role of institutions in addressing violence and ensuring accountability.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article specifically states that the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation were two girls. This directly connects the issue to the goal of ending all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. The crimes described—sexual abuse, coercion, and production of child pornography—are forms of gender-based violence.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • This goal is relevant in two ways. First, the severe physical and psychological trauma resulting from sexual abuse directly undermines the health and well-being of the victims. Second, the article explicitly mentions that the perpetrator “gave her methamphetamine,” linking the crime to substance abuse, which is a key public health concern addressed by this SDG.

2. Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • The article’s content is a direct illustration of the issues this target aims to eliminate. It details the “sexual abuse of two girls,” the “production of child pornography,” and the “coercion and enticement of a minor,” all of which are explicit forms of abuse, exploitation, and violence against children.
2. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
   • This target is addressed as the victims are identified as girls, one as young as seven. The crimes of sexual abuse and the creation of sexual images constitute severe forms of sexual violence and exploitation against girls, as specified in this target.
3. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • The article demonstrates this target in action. It describes the legal process following the crimes: an investigation was conducted, the perpetrator was charged in federal court, he “pleaded guilty,” and he is scheduled for sentencing. Furthermore, it notes he “faces 15 felony child sexual abuse-related charges in a state-level case,” showing the functioning of the rule of law to provide justice for the victims.
4. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
   • The article connects directly to this target by stating that the perpetrator “gave her methamphetamine.” This detail highlights the use of narcotic drugs as a tool for coercion and exploitation, underscoring the link between substance abuse and other forms of harm and violence.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

1. Judicial and Law Enforcement Response as an Indicator
   • The article provides data that can serve as indicators for measuring progress towards justice (Target 16.3). The specific actions—a guilty plea in federal court, a recommended sentence of “27 years in prison,” and the existence of “15 felony child sexual abuse-related charges” at the state level—are all indicators of a functioning justice system holding perpetrators accountable for violence against children. These actions imply progress toward Indicator 16.2.2 (Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation) by showing a response to the crime.
2. Incidence of Sexual Violence as an Indicator
   • The case itself serves as a qualitative indicator of the prevalence of sexual violence against children and girls, which relates to Indicator 16.2.3 (Proportion of young women and men aged 18–29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18) and Indicator 5.2.2 (Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner). The article provides specific data points: one victim was abused “between the ages of 7 and 14,” and the second victim was abused when she was “15.”
3. Link Between Substance Abuse and Child Exploitation as an Indicator
   • The mention of “methamphetamine” being given to a victim is a specific, albeit anecdotal, indicator of the intersection between substance abuse and child exploitation (Target 3.5). It highlights a method of coercion and control, suggesting that data on crimes involving substance abuse could be a relevant metric for understanding the multifaceted nature of violence against children.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: firstalert4.com