It is a widespread misconception that child molesters are complete strangers to their victims, and statistics of child sexual abuse confirms that 90% of sexual abuse victims know their abusers. Children are most often sexually abused by family members and close family friends such as fathers, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, cousins, boyfriends of single mothers, babysitters, etc.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, *****, also referred to as serial child sex abusers, share certain characteristics and behaviors.
He is usually an adult male, but some women also sexually abuse children.The abuser is often a past victim of child molestation himself.He seeks out children of the same age he was when he was victimized.He is often married and hard-working.***** are often employed within a wide range of occupations.They are usually well-liked and respected community members.He may be well-educated and a regular church-goer.He relates better with children than adults.Some prefer boys, some prefer girls.He usually prefers a specific age group of children.***** take and collect photographs of victims while dressed, nude or in sexual poses.He may collect child-adult pornography.In addition, perpetrators will often:seek to lower inhibitions of potential victimsregularly attend childrens events in the communityvolunteer in youth organizationscoach childrens sports teamschaperone camping or overnight tripsfrequent video arcades, playgrounds or shopping mallsoffer babysitting servicesseek jobs where children are easily accessiblebefriend parents, especially single mothers, to gain access to childrenparticipate in internet gaming with childrenjoins social networking websites such as MySpace, Facebook, and other social mediabecome foster parentsseek job opportunities where children are easily-accessible. How Child Molesters Lure Children
Child molesters are professional older women to ********] con-artists, manipulating children with various grooming methods, in order to create a special bond of warmth and trust. This may involve lavish attention and gifts, money, alcohol or drugs, playful touching or tickling, all in an effort to create an atmosphere of secret keeping. It is important to note that most victims of child sexual abuse do not tell they were sexually abused, even when directly asked by a parent or other authority figures.
***** are extremely difficult to detect and can be found in the most unlikely places, making it imperative that parents provide children with the tools to recognize and avoid potentially abusive individuals and situations. Parents must be extremely vigilant in teaching children about good touch vs. bad touch, recognize and identify the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse, and closely monitor childrens activities while online and off-line. Single-parent homes are especially vulnerable, as the parent is trying to fulfill the role of a two-parent home, usually having a full-time job and trying to run a household on their own.
What Parents Can Do To Protect Children
Good communication is the single most effective way of protecting children from becoming sexually victimized. Children need to be taught the proper and correct words for body parts, as well as the correct term sexual abuse otherwise, how will children know how to tell parents that they were sexually abused?
If you suspect or are told your child has been sexually abused, immediately contact Childhelp USA/IO National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD, or your local police department.
Further Reading
Child Molestation Prevention: Signs and Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse
