Behavioral Indicators of Men or Women Who Have Molested Children

CAUTION: Some people who have molested or plan to molest a child exhibit no observable behavior pattern that would be a clue to their future actions.

Persons who molest children:

• Are aware, in many cases, of their preference for children before they reach age 18. Most offenders are adult males, but some women also molest children.
  
• Are usually married. A small number never marry and maintain a lifelong sexual and emotional interest in children.
  
• May relate better to children than adults and may feel more comfortable with children and their interests.
  
• May have few close adult friends.
  
• Usually prefer children in a specific age group.
  
• Usually prefer one gender over the other, however, some are bisexual in their preference.
  
• May seek employment or volunteer opportunities with programs involving children in the preferred victim age group for this type of offender.
  
• Pursue children for sexual purposes and may feel emotionally attached to the extent that emotional needs are met by engaging in relationships with children. Example: An adult man spends time with neighbor children or relatives and talks at length about his feelings for them or his own feelings of loneliness or loss in order to get the child's sympathy.
  
• Often photographs or collects photographs of their victims, dressed, nude, or involved in sexual acts.
  
• May collect child erotica and child-adult pornography which may be used in the following ways:

a. To lower the inhibitions the victims.
b. To fantasize when no potential victim is available.
c. To relive past sexual activities.
d. To justify their inappropriate sexual activities.
e. To blackmail victims to keep them from telling.

• May possess alcohol or narcotics and furnish them to their victims to lower inhibitions or gain fear.
  
• Talk with children in ways that equalize their relationship.
  
• May talk about children in the same manner as one would talk about an adult lover or partner.
  
• May seek out organizations and publications that support his sexual beliefs and practices.
  
• May offer to baby-sit or take children on trips in order to manipulate situations to sleep with or near children or bathe or dress them.
  
• May be seen at parks, playgrounds or places frequented by children or teenager.

See also:

• Interfamilial Child Abuse
• Talking to Your Children
• Behavioral Indicators of Men or Women Who Have Molested Children
• Child Safety Page