How to Identify Child Predators

They’re usually compensating for an early childhood wound, abuse, or insecurity by making others pay for their misery.

Preying on the vulnerable gives them the sensation of power.

Like all quick fixes, the satisfaction quickly fades and they have the insatiable desire to repeat the offense.

Many pedophiles were sexually abused as a child. Some will claim that the age in which they were abused is the age that they are attracted to as adults. For example, if they were sexually abused at seven years old, the trauma of the abuse has hindered brain development and growth. Thus resulting in the attraction to a seven year old, even though they are twenty or forty years old. 

This does not excuse their behaviors or atrocious acts of child rape and exploitation. This provides some insight into their underdeveloped brains and frontal lobes. Our frontal lobes are not fully developed until we reach the age of twenty five/twenty six years old. Traumatic experiences in childhood can permanently affect the way the frontal lobe develops.

They often seem ordinary, friendly, helpful, and even professional. Since they don’t fit the perceived stereotype, it’s easy for people to ignore red flags.

This could be a relative, family friend, neighbor, teacher, coach, or religious leader.

“Nearly all child sexual abuse is committed by people known to children and families, including: family members such as parents, stepparents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins; and people in a family’s circle of trust such as friends, neighbors, teachers, or coaches.

More than 90% of juvenile sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator in some way.”

- Vermont Department for Children and Families

Children usually don’t know they’re being abused. 

If you haven’t taught them what to watch out for, they likely don’t know what abuse is.

Pedophiles use a process called “grooming” to ease the child into submission. This may involve gifts or treats, acts of kindness, or special treatment that the child may enjoy.

Threats, violence, and further abuse can frighten the child and keep them compliant. Predators often threaten to harm the child and their family if the child tells anyone.

They can also use shame to make the child feel at fault, naughty, dirty, or worthless. 

90% of predators described themselves as “religious” in The Abel Harlow Child Molestation Prevention Study. Predators often target religious communities because they find them to be more vulnerable and trusting. 

“There are studies that demonstrate that the faith community is even more vulnerable to abuse than secular environments… Other studies have found that sexual abusers within faith communities have more victims and younger victims. This disturbing truth is perhaps best illustrated by the words of a convicted child molester who told Dr. Salter, ‘I considered church people easy to fool…they have a trust that comes from being Christians. They tend to be better folks all around and seem to want to believe in the good that exists in people.'”

- Former child abuse chief prosecutor Boz Tchividjian

Not instances of abuse. Victims.