RED ALERT Against Child Molesters! Awareness Is Protection, Parents!

Paedophilia is a very real scare for all parents. After all, no parent would want to endure the trauma caused to their child by a child molester crushing their child’s innocence and childhood right in front of them.

I have discussed the subject of pedophilia with my husband many times in the past and, I admit, it only makes us realize how vulnerable kids are. Be it school, activity classes, park, malls, gardens, society premises or even homes – these child molesters are everywhere, looking for that one perfect moment to pounce on an innocent victim.

Blame it on my love for reading, profession or curiosity, but I have explored the length and breadth of internet for info trying to collect & add to my kitty of knowledge – who knows it might prove to be life-saving in the future. I have done a good amount of reading on pedophilia as I am scared about the safety of my kids and any kid for that matter.

Through this article I intend to pass on the message to all you doting moms & dads. Be aware and be ready to identify and spot a child molester around. It can save many precious lives!

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Let’s begin by the fundamental understanding about pedophilia.

Definition

Wikipedia defines it as, “Pedophilia or Paedophilia is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experiences a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children, generally age 11 years or younger.”

Another definition comes across as, “Pedophilia is a sexual relationship between an adult over 18 and a child below 16.”

I can’t agree more. However, a pedophile/ child molester to me is a person, fit enough to be called an adult and sane, who is abnormally attracted to a young child (they don’t even spare toddlers as young as 6-months old) and elicits a unique pleasure by sexually assaulting kids, ironically who don’t even know what SEX is all about and have the least understanding of what is happening to them!

Identify a likely child molester

Sadly, though all men are not pedophiles, yet the society looks at all men as a potential child molester, such is the hysteria surrounding the dreaded word! However, as per research some factors that create a pedophile out of a normal human include:

• They are teenagers sexually curious and open to experimenting on young children.
• They have been sexually abused as teenagers and intend to vent out their anger.
• They have a medical or mental condition and need help.
• They are abnormally sexually attracted to young children.
• They are opportunists with negative emotions and have deep rooted antisocial personality.

Pedophilia is not exclusive to India. This menace is rampant all over the world, yes, you read that correct. Some disturbing trends include five countries where child sex abuse is the highest:

South Africa

As per a 2009 report by Solidarity Helping Hand trade union, ONE CHILD IS RAPED every three minutes in this African nation.

India

According to reports, a whopping 48,000 cases of child rape were registered between 2001 and 2011. the increase in this period amounted to a terrible 336% and recorded cases in 2011 recorded stood at 2,113 compared to 7,112 in 2011. Could not retrieve the latest figures – however, will update as soon as I lay my hands on them.

Zimbabwe

Child rapes are reported widely in this African nation. In 2011, 3,172 juvenile rape cases were registered. In 2010, the number was 2,883 – the increase in a one year period is alarming! One clinic on the capital city of Harare admitted it had treated as many as 30,000 children (boys & girls) between 2005-2008.

United Kingdom

As per a report released by Scotland Yard in 2000, one in every 200 adults is a pedophile! In the year 2012/13 18,915 cases of sex crimes against children under the age of 16-years were reported. Of these, 4,171 crimes were related to female children under age 13 while 1,267 crimes were committed against male children below 13 years.

United States

According to Department of Health & Human Services’ Children’s Bureau report Child Maltreatment 2010, 16% of youngsters in age group 14 to 17 years were sexually abused and that 500,000 babies born in 2010 are likely to face sexual abuse before they turn 18!

Spotting a child molester

Spotting a pedophile is one of the most troublesome jobs for any parent. Potential pedophiles are everywhere yet it is difficult to guess who is the one? Meticulous observation is the only way to identify a child molester. These points-to-remember may help you spot a likely pedophile :

• Most pedophiles come across as gentle and rational people, they are good at disguising their identity and thoughts.
• Most child molesters are known to the children and family. 30% abusers are family members, 60% are family acquaintances and only 10% are strangers.
• Neighbour, teacher, family friend, religious/spiritual leader, activity instructor, coach, uncle, aunt, cousins, step-parents, babysitter, grandparents and even parents (reported in some cases) could be a potential pedophile.
• Most pedohiles are men and they targets victims irrespective of their gender.
• Some pedophiles suffer from mood or personality disorders.
• An alarming but typical trait is that a pedophile is more interested in the company of children than adults. If you know any such person, BEWARE!
• Pedophiles behave with children the same way they would behave with an adult. They treat children as adults and behave (including talk) with them as though they are adults.
• Pedophiles are often heard saying that they love all children or that they still feel like a child.
• Most child abusers first gain the trust of their victims before attacking them. They do so by showering undue love, care, chocolates and gifts on children they should not be getting so close to. If you know such a person, you know exactly what to do!
• Pedophiles attack emotionally vulnerable or attention seeking children.
• They look for children of single-parents who are incapable of providing the much-needed care, supervision and attention to their kids due to overburdened responsibilities.
• Child abusers play lots of games and tricks with children including keep-the-secret to deceive the children and trick them into winning their trust. They also expose the children to pornographic and sexually explicit material and acts like images, kiss and fondling.
• They use coercion, bribery, flattery and affection to trick and confuse the children.
• Child molesters admit that 40% of times they identify their victims by sourcing their pictures from social media sites! Based on the profile details of their guardians and parents, they plan their next move!

How to protect your child

Take following measures to protect your children:

• Sensitize your kids by talking to them about pedophiles. Make them aware of the deep underlying threats disguised in the form of a child molester.
• Remain an active part of your child’s growing up years and know who forms a part of their social network.
• We live in a social-media age thus it is only imperative to explain the menace of social media to kids and the dangers of sharing personal life with strangers they don’t know too well.
• No matter how busy you are, never leave your child alone in the custody of strangers or people you don’t know too well.
• Be a friend and not a parent, that’s probably the best way to establish an uninterrupted emotional connectivity with your kids.
• Keep your home under the constant surveillance of a camera just in case you leave your kids with the babysitter alone at home.
• Use tech gadgets like smart tags and smart-watches to remain connected with your kids when they are out of your sight.
• Teach your kids the difference between touching and inappropriate touching. This should help your child identify a potential threat.
• Monitor behavioural changes in your child. Just in case you find something amiss, talk to them, offer emotional comfort and help sort their problems, no matter how petty it may sound to you!
• Never dismiss your child’s worries about a certain XYZ and the fear of being in their company.

I have tried my best to accommodate as much information as possible in this piece.

Thank you for your patience and valuable time. Appreciate your feedback and comments!

Published here earlier.

Image source: man with a teddy bear by Shutterstock.