The Child Molester

    One of the major problems encountered by children and their families is molestation. A molester's impact upon the child may vary from mild to extreme, depending on the veritable act and the reactions of people connected to the victim. Adherent to these reactions, the victim may tell his or her parents or repeatedly return to the offender. Children need love, attention and affection. If these needs are met within their home environment, the youngsters will resist and report the incident. However, if not met, the children will be more agreeable to outside affections. Thus, the child molester is prone to pick emotionally hungry victims. He or she manipulates the child into cooperation through the child's needs and emotional insecurities.

    Unfortunately, until the actual molestation, the child molester is virtually impossible to identify. He or she may look like anyone you know and trust. May frequently be a family member, or a neighbor who embraces a proper relationship with his or her own children. And, statistics have shown, the victim may have had a previous acquaintance with the offender. In the majority of cases the victim is under eight years, but may range as old as sixteen.

Typical Child Molesters

    Most pedophiliacs are men, although women have been known to wish, or to have had sex with children.

    Pedophilia, a state of abnormal sexual desires by adults for children, is a growing concern of parents. Therefore, there are three typical child molesters parents should be made aware of:

1. The most common type today, unfortunately, is the aggressive pedophile, whose principal aim, after satisfying his deviant sexual desires, is to harm or kill the child. In this case, the victim usually ranges between eight and fifteen years of age. And is more often female than male. Also, it should be noted, the offender (a hostile psychopathic male in the majority of cases) may not have had a previous personal relationship with the child, but tends to stalk and observe his victim before pouncing.

2. Next is the man or woman who is unable to have a relationship (sexual or otherwise) with those of their own age, feeling comfortable only with children. Usually the child is someone he or she knows, and is under eight years of age.

3. The least common pedophile (but nevertheless still worth watching out for) is the man who suffers from masculine inadequacy, responding to female peer rejection by molesting juvenile girls. The girls, often strangers to the pedophile, are likely to be the emotionally hungry victims mentioned earlier, and may readily accept the affectations offered by the older man. They may even participate in the sexual act, replacing the momentary lust of a stranger for long-needed parental love.

    A necessary part of today's parenting is prevention. Parents must observe and put a stop to any relationship by an adult who interacts too closely with their children. This is unfortunate, but future lamentable results for permissiveness now can be too haunting to even imagine.

Other Parental Preventions

1. Children should be taught to never let anyone into the home while they are alone. Even someone they may know and trust. Also, teach them to dial 911 for emergency help at an early age. Barring this, show them how to punch (dial) "O" for operator. Tell them to yell "HELP" as soon as the call is answered. A computer will pick up the phone number and address.

2. Babysitters should be chosen carefully, with any sitters unfamiliar to the parents asked for references and thoroughly checked out. (This should be done by the parents even if the sitter is sent by an agency.) Sitters should be instructed never to let strangers into the house, nor to allow their friend(s) in without express permission of the child's (or children's) parents. Studies have shown that an irresponsible sitter can subject children to drugs, kidnappers and molesters, and ultimately introduce tragedy to a tranquil home life.

3. Children should be taught never to talk to, or accept rides from, strangers. Teach your child (children) to scream and/or run to the nearest populated area if someone tries to force him or her into a vehicle.

4. Children active in selling (such as running a lemonade stand, door-to-door selling of organizational cookies or candies) should do so in the company of others, either their own age or an adult. Halloween trick-or-treaters need to form in a group, accompanied by an adult, before going out. And, this may sound redundant but it must be said, carefully examine the treats for food items containing tacks, razor blades, even needles before eating. Immediately notify your local police department if any foods are found contaminated by these or other dangerous objects.

5. Children should be taught not to play near or in woods, public restrooms, abandoned buildings or empty lots. They should go in a group when attending a movie theater. Impress upon them the importance of reporting to the theater manager or usher if anyone attempts to touch them in an inappropriate manner.

Recommended Reading

If Your Child Is Abused: A Guide For Parents Of Children
Sexually Abused By Someone Outside The Family
by Ron Enson

It's My Body
by Lory Freeman

My Body Is Private
by Linda Walvoord Girard

__________________________________________________________________________

    The author holds an LLB from LaSalle University, a Master's and Psy.D. from Neotarian College of Psychology, and a Ph.D. from American College of Metaphysical Theology. And has spent thirty years as a psychological counselor.

    He is a graduate of United States Academy of Private Investigation of Beverly Hills, CA. And, until sidelined by diabetic complications, worked as a Special Investigator in the state of California.

Find nearby sex offenders

(Note: Print this page if you wish to save it for your records.)

Frequently Asked Questions
Child Safety

or

Next

Child Safety
Listed Pages

Site Map

Home

© 1999-2013
Dr. James Charles Bouffard
Doc Jim's Help Page!
Lynn Paulo Foundation
All Rights Reserved.