The Profile of A Pedophile
Identifying Characteristics and Behaviors of Child Molesters
Apr 14, 2008
Parents often imagine a child molester being an ugly old man dressed in a trench coat, hiding behind bushes in the dark of night, just waiting for the right moment to kidnap or molest children. However, child molesters come from all walks of life and do not discriminate by race, gender, social class or age.
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, the characteristics and behavioral indicators of a pedophile, also referred to as a serial child sex abuser include the following:
- Usually an adult male but some women also sexually abuse children
- Often a child molestation victim themselves
- Seeks out children of the age group they were when victimized
- Usually married and hard-working
- Employed within a wide range of occupations
- Usually well-liked and respected community members
- Often well-educated and regular church-goers
- Relates better with children than adults
- Some prefer boys, some prefer girls
- Usually prefers a specific age group of children
- Takes and collects photographs of victims while dressed, nude or in sexual poses
- Collects child-adult pornography
- Seeks to lower inhibitions of potential victims
- Regularly attends children’s events in the community
- Volunteers in youth organizations
- Coaches children’s sports
- Chaperones camping or overnight trips
- Frequents video arcades, playgrounds or shopping malls
- Offers babysitting services
- Seeks jobs where children are easily accessible
- Befriends parents, especially single mothers, to gain access to children
- Participates in internet gaming with children
- Joins social networking websites such as MySpace, Facebook, and other social media
- Become foster parents
- Seeks job opportunities where children are easily-accessible
How Child Molesters Lure Children
Child molesters are professional 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.
Pedophiles 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 children’s 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
