Danger Signs of a Child Predator
The National Center for Victims of Crime reports that one out of every four girls and one out of every six boys experience sexual abuse during their childhood. Parents often warn children to stay away from strangers, but most children are abused by people they know. Reducing a child's risk of sexual abuse requires that parents learn to recognize potential predators and teach their children skills to protect themselves. Parents should pay attention to any adult who shows particular interest in spending time alone with their child and look for warning signs of predatory behaviors.
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Lack of Responsibility for Behaviors
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Predators tend to describe themselves as victims. They often excuse their behaviors by explaining a history of unfortunate events, such as a bad childhood or an ex-wife who will not allow them see their children. They tend to view themselves as helpless and claim their behaviors result from unfair circumstances. They view themselves as entitled to special privileges because of their past hardships. They often adopt the attitude that the world owes them something.
Need for Power and Control
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Predators strive for power and control over others. They have difficulty accepting that some things in life are beyond their control. They gain power over children by using their size, knowledge and expertise. They often obtain positions where they appear to be guiding, teaching and caring for them. They groom children by offering them gifts, sharing secrets and gaining their trust. They then abuse their position of authority and threaten harm if anyone else finds out.
Lack of Adult Relationships
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Predators often lack the ability to develop healthy adult relationships. They often form unstable relationships with members of the opposite sex. Romantic relationships tend to be intense and chaotic. Relationships usually end after a short period of time due to instability, lack of communication, arguing and lack of physical intimacy. Predators tend to have difficulty forming adult friendships as well. They feel isolated and lonely without adult relationships, which contributes to their focus on children.
Substance Abuse Problems
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The majority of people who engage in sexual abuse struggle with substance abuse issues. Predators tend to have difficulty coping with problems, which leads many of them to use drugs and alcohol in an attempt to medicate themselves. Predators lack self-esteem and sometimes use drugs and alcohol to mask their feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Other predators use substances in an attempt to fill the emptiness they experience. The use of substances often decreases their inhibitions, leading to increased sexualized behaviors.
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