SEX OFFENDER PROFILES

Preferential Child Molester 

Preferential Child Molesters have a definite sexual preference for children.  Their sexual fantasies and erotic imagery focus on children.  They have sex with children not because of some situational stress or insecurity but because they are sexually attracted to and prefer children. If this individual does not act on his urges, then he is not a child molester. 

Situational Child Molester 

Situational Child Molesters do not have a true sexual preference for children, but engage in sex with children for varied and complex reasons.  This type of molester may engage in sex with a child, ranging from a once-in-a-lifetime act to a long-term pattern of behavior.  The more long-term the behavior is, the more difficult it is to distinguish from a preferential molester.  Members of lower socioeconomic groups tend to be overrepresented among situational child molesters. 

Adolescent Offenders 

An area of increasing attention is that of adolescent offenders.  This type of offender can fit the characteristics of the preferential or situational child molester.  Adolescent (or younger) offenders should always be viewed as past or current victims of sexual abuse.  This may include psychological sexual abuse, inappropriate exposure to sexually explicit materials, and/or the repeated or inappropriate witnessing of adult sexual activity. 

Question: Are all child molesters pedophiles? 

Answer: No. A pedophile is an individual who prefers to have sex with children.  A person who prefers to have sex with an adult partner may, for any number of reasons, decide to have sex with a child.  Such reasons may include simple availability, curiosity, or a desire to hurt a loved one of a molested child.   The sexual fantasies of these individuals do not necessarily focus on children. 

Question: How does the abuse occur? 

Answer: Abuse occurs in a wide range of situations and settings. 
For long-term abusers, often, the child molester will “court” the child with attention, affection, and gifts.  Just as one adult courts another during a dating process, the pedophile seduces children over a period of time by gradually lowering their sexual inhibitions.  Sometimes the molester will tickle, wrestle, or hug the child in the presence of others first, adding legitimacy to the activity that will occur later in private. Often a child feels guilty or ashamed of the abuse.  Children may feel that a short amount of uncomfortable feeling is worth the amount of attention and affection and perceived care they receive from the molester.