NCJ Number
197829
Journal
Prosecutor Volume: 36 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2002 Pages: 20,41,47
Editor(s)
Jean Holt
Date Published
November 2002
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article attempts to provide a basic understanding of the techniques child molesters use, selection, engagement, and seduction, and recommend that it be shared with parents and caretakers, child and victim advocates, community groups, educators, law enforcement agencies, child abuse prosecutors, and policy makers.
Abstract
The sophisticated ways in which offenders gain access to children, molest them, and prepare for and react to victim disclosures allow child molesters to continue offending and avoid detection at an alarming rate. This points to the overwhelming need for public education about the manipulative behavior of perpetrators. In addition, the public health, educational, social service, law enforcement, and judicial systems must develop stronger alliances to improve community education, prevention, treatment, investigation, and management efforts. Child sexual abuse should not be regarded as an act but a process with each step impacting the victim, family, community, and legal system. The article offers an understanding of the techniques child molesters use and include: (1) the offender’s selection of the community or family or child; (2) the emotional engagement, desensitization, and entrapment; (3) advancements of sexual seduction and abuse; (4) maintaining cooperation and silence; and (5) avoiding discovery. Until community education is promoted, the public will continue to miscalculate the malevolence involved in offending, persist in enabling offenders by doubting children, and fail to report offenders to law enforcement. References