Protecting Our Children WHO MOLESTS CHILDREN? According to most studies, offenders start molesting children before they are 30 years old; therefore, it is not just the “dirty old man” that your child should be cautious of. WHO ARE THE VICTIMS? Most molesters are known and trusted by their victims and use threats or rewards,not violence, to manipulate children into cooperating. WHY DO INDIVIDUALS MOLEST CHILDREN? According to a study done by Dr. Nicholas Groth, at least 80% of sexual offenders were sexually abused or exposed to sexual abuse of other family members when they were children. It is rare that a molester will stop after one victim or one incident. Many molesters are responsible for abusing large numbers of children. Some studies show averages between 50 and 100 victims per offender. Many sexual offenders were under the influence of alcohol/drugs at the time the offense was committed. Very few offenders (less than 5%) are diagnosed as being mentally challenged or psychotic. Many child abusers have trouble dealing with other adults. Some offenders have never had a “normal” male/female relationship, even though they may be married. WHAT IF YOUR CHILD IS MOLESTED? If a child tells you that he/she has been molested, control your temper. Reassure the child that you are not angry at him/her. They are probably already dealing with guilt feelings, especially if the offender is a relative or close family friend. Do not blame the child for what happened. Cooperation is not he same as consent. A child doesn’t have the mental capacity to consent to sexual interactions. Fear can keep a child from telling someone for a long time. Keep the lines of communication open. Encourage your children to ask questions and talk about problems. BAD TOUCHES Some adults don’t know they shouldn’t touch children on their private parts. Adults that touch children on their private parts need help. Not all adults touch children in a bad way. If someone touches you in a way you don’t like, don’t be afraid to tell someone. The person you tell can stop the bad touches from happening. If that person doesn’t listen to you, tell another person until someone listens to you. MOST IMPORTANTLY! |