Sound Learning

If I were to say the word 'child molester', most people imagine an old man dressed in a trench coat, in a park coaxing little children with candy.

They don’t imagine at all a relative like Uncle William or Aunty Rosa, the neighboiur next door or dads friend from work.
 

They wouldn't think of mom or dad or in the case of single parents the new partner.

information obtained in thousands of child sexual abuse investigations over the years dispells this misconception.This misconception.

Child molesters come from all walks of life and from all socioeconomic groups. They can be male or female, rich or poor, employed or unemployed, religious or non-religious or from any race. Children can be molested by persons they don’t know, relatives, friends, or caregivers.

Although the majority of those identified, and prosecuted for a sex offense, are men, both men and women molest children.

Adults who molest children can generally be divided into two groups, according to their behaviors. A small percentage may suffer from a lifelong exclusive attraction to children and have little or no emotional interest in adult partners. The majority is not exclusively attracted to children, have adult emotional relationships, and have not molested multiple child victims.

Children being seized from the street and forcibly molested couldn’t be farther from the truth, this is generally a widespread misconception.  Although these incidents do occur, the vast majority of child molesters are adults who seduce children through subtle intimidation and persuasion and are known to the child.

The child molester who is not known by the victim may use a variety of methods to gain access or gain the confidence of the victim. He may use force, fear, bribery, or tricks. They may pretend or appear to be friendly and trustworthy. Often they gain access to children in public places, such as playgrounds, parks or shopping malls.

Parents - it is your responsibility to teach, educate and make your children aware that these people exist in everyday life.
You must put aside your inhibitions about talking with your children about such frank issues - an ounce of protection is better than a lifetime of suffering.

Take the time to find an internet site that will show you if there are any registered child sex offenders living near you.