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Nothing is more important than your child’s safety. Here’s a guide to identifying a potential predator and eliminating the threat.
While no one wants to jump to hasty conclusions about other people, you can never be too safe when your child’s well-being is at stake. Pedophilia is a real threat, and can permanently alter the life of a child. Children who have experienced sexual assault are subject to lifelong trauma, and can find it difficult to move forward in the world.
Unfortunately, if not surprisingly, many potential pedophiles look for jobs that involve working with children. Since there are so many situations that children find themselves under the supervision of adults — school, soccer practice, in the neighbor’s yard — a parent must be cautious and watchful at all times.
To stay prepared, it is important to know the potential qualities of a pedophile, as elaborated by About.
Common Characteristics
Though anyone can be a pedophile — old or young, rich or poor, professional or not — they are commonly men around or older than 30. They are commonly single, and if married, seem to have a more “companion” type of relationship with their spouse.
One must also be especially aware as to whether or not a potential predator has questionable and/or lengthy gaps in their employment history.
Pedophiles are commonly drawn to child-like activities, often preferring them to more typically “adult” ones. This often entails hobbies like collecting popular toys or building plane and car models, which overlap with children’s interests.
Predators will try to work in environments that involve daily contact with children. If not actively employed in childcare, they will instead try to be in contact with children through such extracurricular roles as coaches, mentors, or private tutors.
Of course, far from everyone who likes to work with children is a threat, but it is important to realize that most pedophiles count on the unconditional trust that adults put in these authority figures.
Protecting Your Child
Predators often focus their efforts towards a specific type of child. Most of them are interested in children who are right around puberty, as they will be sexually inexperienced but are perhaps becoming curious. Pedophiles often target shy or withdrawn children, knowing that they will be most easily manipulated.
First they will try to get close to these children, befriending them and building their self-esteem. That’s when things can take a turn for the worse. Though children may be smart enough to sense that something may be off with such a relationship, they may struggle to end it. A child usually feels they have no authority over the situation, and are unsure if their concerns are warranted.
They may also develop positive feelings towards their predator, an effect commonly known as Stockholm Syndrome. Emotionally needy children are particularly vulnerable. Oftentimes, children who seek an affirmative adult relationship come from single-parent homes.
Where to Turn
Though knowing the common characteristics will better help you identify potential pedophiles in your child’s life, sometimes this is not enough to prevent a life-altering situation.
While the passing of Megan’s Law in 1996 — which authorized local law enforcement agencies to notify the public about convicted sex offenders in their community — has made a big difference, there is always more that can be done.
Our private investigators can help you discover whether your intuition and suspicions are true or not. Our well-trained, professional, and exceedingly meticulous team will be able to conduct a detailed and informative background search on a suspicious person in a matter of days, helping you protect your child before anything has gone wrong.
Nothing is more important than giving your child a fair chance to succeed, and ensuring their safety and mental well-being is vital to this achievement.
Since 1994, Integrated has been helping families and caregivers obtain answers about difficult and sometimes dangerous friendships their children make while attending school, recreational after-school events, camps, and team sports events. Integrated’s investigative staff conducts their work in a discreet and timely fashion, helping your family avoid the unthinkable.
