About Child Molesters

Overview

About 39 million adults living in the United States have survived some form of sexual abuse as a child, according to the Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute. The institute believes that 95 percent of child molestation could be prevented. It starts by recognizing the signs that someone may be a child molester.

Identification

The term "child molester" is used to describe an adult or older child who touches or commits a forced sexual act on a child. A child is defined as anyone age 13 or under.

Misconceptions

Former FBI agent Kenneth V. Lanning, M.S., is a founding member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. In his article, "Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis," he discusses some misconceptions about child molesters. Throughout the 1950s and the 1960s, most of the precautionary literature about child molestation focused on what Lanning refers to as "stranger danger." Posters featured a dirty old man in a wrinkled raincoat as the epitome of a child molester. However, further research indicated the "acquaintance molestation" is far more prevalent.
Since many cases of child molestation go unreported, it is impossible to cite exact statistics. However, most child abuse organizations estimate that acquaintance molestation accounts for close to 70 percent of the reported cases. Additionally, child molesters are of all ages, races and religions.

Expert Insight

Child molestation is a complex subject. As such, there are a variety of theories about its cause. The motivations of a Catholic priest may differ from those of a celebrity singer, a famous film director or the woman who owns the local daycare center. Researchers A. Nicholas Groth, Ph.D., William F. Hobson, M.S. and Thomas S. Gary, M.Ed., performed extensive research on the psychology of a child molester. In their article "The Child Molesters: Clinical Observations," they described child molesters as having feelings of inadequacy. Some have unresolved issues in their own psycho-sexual development. As such, adult sexuality is threatening.

Effects

The effects of child molestation have been studied by many organizations. For example, the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that women who were sexually abused during child abuse had a high incidence of drug dependence, alcoholism, bulimia, anxiety, panic disorders and depression.

Warnings

As mentioned, many cases of child molestation go unreported. Cory Jewell Jensen, M.S., and Steve Jensen, M.A., of the Center for Behavioral Intervention in Beaverton, Ore., warn that child molesters can be as manipulative with parents as they are with children. In their article, "Understanding and Protecting Your Children from Child Molesters and Predators," they point out that a child molester may try to convince the the parents or authorities that the child misinterpreted the situation. They may point out other situations where the child has told a lie, and they can try to convince the parents that the child is promiscuous.