Pedolphilia/Molestation
What is Pedophilia
Pedophilia, also spelled paedophilia, also called pedophilic disorder or pedophilia disorder, in conventional usage, a psychosexual disorder, generally affecting adults, characterized by sexual interest in prepubescent children or attempts to engage in sexual acts with prepubescent children. - Britannica
What is Molestation?
Molestation is the crime of engaging in sexual acts with minors, including touching of private parts, exposure of genitalia, taking of pornographic pictures, rape, inducement of sexual acts with the molester or with other children, and variations of these acts. Molestation also applies to incest by a relative with a minor family member and additionally any sexual acts short of rape. For example, in Abshire v. State, a Texas Court of Appeals case, affirmed the lower court conviction of an uncle who sexually contacted and raped his niece from when she was five years old to seventeen, describing his conduct, among other things, as molestation. - Wex Definitions Team
"I am a kid, and Something Happened."
Here are some ways to help you from RAINN:
- Tell Someone. If somebody touches you in a way you don't like or touches an area covered by a bathing suit, tell someone you trust.
- Say no. If somebody wants to hug you, kiss you, or touch your body, you can always tell them no. It's not OK for ANYONE to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable — even if they are older or in charge, like your teacher. You can always say no to any touch that makes you feel unsafe.
- Some secrets are OK to share. You don't have to keep secrets about spending time with someone or getting gifts from them. If someone makes you scared or upset, it's OK to tell a grown-up you trust.
- Pictures are private. If someone takes a picture of you, and you don't want them to, that is not OK! If they want to take a picture of your private parts, that is not OK either! You can tell a grown-up you trust right away.
- It's OK if you are scared. It's normal to feel scared about telling and getting in trouble. That's OK. You are really brave to tell. Keep telling until someone helps you. Call this number: 1-800-656-4673.
Signs that a child may have been sexually abused.
It’s not always easy to spot sexual abuse because perpetrators often take steps to hide their actions. Some signs are easier to spot than others. For instance, some warning signs might be noticed by a caretaker or parent, and are often red flags that the child needs medical attention.
Listen to your instincts. If you notice something that isn’t right or someone in a child’s life is making you uncomfortable—even if you can’t put your finger on why—it’s important to trust your gut, continue to watch for signs of abuse, and talk to the child who may be experiencing abuse in age-appropriate ways.
Warning Signs
Physical signs:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Signs of trauma to the genital area, such as unexplained bleeding, bruising, or blood on the sheets, underwear, or other clothing
Behavioral signs:
- Excessive talk about or knowledge of sexual topics
- Keeping secrets
- Not talking as much as usual
- Not wanting to be left alone with certain people or being afraid to be away from primary caregivers, especially if this is a new behavior
- Regressive behaviors or resuming behaviors they had grown out of, such as thumbsucking or bedwetting
- Overly compliant behavior
- Sexual behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s age
- Spending an unusual amount of time alone
- Trying to avoid removing clothing to change or bathe
Emotional signs:
- Change in eating habits
- Change in mood or personality, such as increased aggression
- Decrease in confidence or self-image
- Excessive worry or fearfulness
- Increase in unexplained health problems such as stomach aches and headaches
- Loss or decrease in interest in school, activities, and friends
- Nightmares or fear of being alone at night
- Self-harming behaviors
Healing From Abuse
"The path toward healing is different for everyone. At times, the journey can be filled with highs and accomplishments; at other times, it can feel like progress has stalled or is even moving backward. That’s because healing is not linear, but rather an upward spiral filled with both joy and sorrow and ups and downs."
Is Your Child Being Groomed?
Grooming
Grooming is a process that involves a perpetrator forming a relationship with a child and testing their boundaries.
Some signs that a child may be being groomed include:
- Being secretive about their time, including online
- Having an older boyfriend or girlfriend
- Having money or new things that they can't explain
- Spending more or less time online
- Being touched or hugged in front of trusted adults
- Being given gifts or special attention
- Being asked to keep secrets
- Always wanting to be alone with the child
- Discouraged from being involved with other adults
- Being given rides, special outings, or a place to stay
The stages of grooming include:
- Identifying and targeting the victim
- Gaining trust and access
- Playing a role in the child's life
- Isolating the child
- Creating secrecy around the relationship
- Initiating sexual contact
- Controlling the relationship
- safechild.org, NSPCC, https://safekidsthrive.org/, SAPREA
If you think your child is being groomed, call for help: 877.7283.994
Statistics
- There are over 42 million adult sexual abuse survivors in the US.
- Males make up anywhere between 80% and 90% of all sex offenders.
- Girls are two to three times more likely to be molested.
- Children with disabilities are almost three times more likely to suffer child sex abuse.
- Released child molestors are four times more likely to get rearrested for a sex crime.
- There are around 500,000 active predators on the internet every day.
Source: screenandreveal.com
