Facts About Child Molestation

Reported cases of child sexual abuse have reached epidemic proportions. There has been a 322 percent increase from 1990-2000 and that is not counting the vast number of unreported cases. It is widely known that many children who have been molested, whether it be on a regular basis or not, tend to keep the molestation a secret.

If you are the parent of a molested child or would like to fight and report any other kind of child molestation, click here for a free evaluation of your case.

Child molestation at a glance

Child molestation and sexual assault is the most rapid growing violent crime in the U.S.
About 1.3 million children are sexually assaulted each year
There are 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in America
95 percent of molested children know their perpetrators
Nearly half of the victims are under the age of 18
1 in 6 boys will be sexually molested by age 18
1 in 4 girls will be sexually molested by age 18
Most offenders are 10 or more years older than the victim
Girls are more likely to disclose the abuse

About child molesters

• 250,000 to 500,000 child molesters reside in the U.S. today
• The average number of victims per molester is about 117
• Men who molested boys average about 150 victims each
• More than half are under the age 35

Child molesters, unfortunately, do not possess an organized criminal profile. They come from all classes and backgrounds. Some might be married, some might not; some might prefer boys while others prefer girls. Sometimes they are attracted to young children, other times they may be attracted to older children. Most, however, share certain common characteristics:

• Most child molesters are male
• They are likely to work in an environment surrounded by children
• They make efforts to gain access to or authority over children
• They usually befriend the parents first and then try to gain the child’s trust
• They are likely to attend events (sports, camping, video arcades..)
• Many child molesters were/are babysitters
• They may collect child erotica and child-adult pornography, which may be used:
  • To lower inhibitions of victims
  • To relive past activities
  • To justify inappropriate activities
  • To threaten the victim with disseminating

More Hot Topics include, but are not limited to

• Compensatory behavior
• Pedophila
• Sexual abusive behavior
• Deviant
• Characteristics of a molested child
• Characteristics of a child molester

Child molestation and sexual assault leaves a fingerprint on each child’s soul. Deep inside, there is a pain that can’t be overcome and many cases of child molestation stay unreported. As a parent, it is crucial that you talk to your child. Children need to feel safe and comfortable when talking about their own feelings and experiences. If your child feels that it won’t be judged by talking to you it is much more likely to come to you and tell you about molestation and/or sexual abuse situations.

If you are the parent of a molested child or suspect any kind of child molestation outside of your family, contact us immediately. Click here for a free evaluation of your case.