As a child, we are pretty poor at identifying predators around us. Response to concerns with denial and aggression, making the concerned individual feel like a fool David J Laporte/CC-BY-2.0. There are several characteristics that may signal the personality of a child predator. Children should understand what is appropriate versus inappropriate behavior and be able to openly talk about it with their family. * Warn your child about the dangers of child predators. Internet predators use the same Lures online that are used offline. A child predator can be aged from 18+. I’ve been shocked to discover just how many of my friends have suffered the trauma of sexual harassment and even rape. If you meet someone online who seems overly friendly, be cautious. * If you are worried that someone who has contacted your child is a child predator, access the child predator Web site. All Rights Reserved. Probably not. It’s often in retrospect that we discover what they did and how it was manipulative. They typically target uninformed and unsuspecting youngsters to engage in virtual relationships by luring them with flattery, attention and feelings of being close to an online friend. * A child predator usually refuses to … Children in general have certain characteristics that make them ideal victims from the offender’s point of view. Here are some other signs your teacher could be a sexual predator. Child predators might be nice to you once in a while and always extremely sweet to your child. Child molesters actively target their prey. The Predator (also known as Yautja (/ j ə ˈ uː tʃ ə /) or Hish-Qu-Ten) is an extraterrestrial species featured in the Predator science-fiction franchise, characterized by its trophy hunting of other species for sport. Characteristics of an Internet Child Predator By Wendy McLellan. Let’s explore some of the characteristics of a child predator. When the molestation continues over long periods of time, the child may often cope by essentially separating the offender into two different people when dealing with his or her “uncle & monster,” “older brother & rapist” or “youth group leader & predator,” for example, … Sociopaths seek out different types of targets, from infants to children to adolescents to adults. It’s best to be aware of this characteristic of child predators anyway. If so, please follow the direct link on their website or in the email invitation you may have received. Adapted by Sterling Volunteers staff, Children usually are friendly and trusting of most people and therefore have a difficult time identifying predators. * Continue to educate her as she grows, and start early! How can I protect my children from child molesters? Be cautious for the following behaviors/characteristics: 1. By then, your child may have become more secretive and protective of that relationship. Take steps now to protect your child! * Child predators typically have a low self-esteem. Many predators initiate conversations on public chat apps or in the chat section of * Be sure you talk to your child about her body, and her right not to be touched. Whatever the reason, a child molestor will pick up on the weaknesses and doubts of a child and weasel his way into that child's psyche. The average child predator is male and over the age of 25. Stereotypes of sexual predators can be misleading. Jack Reynolds spent more than 12 years in prison for molesting children in the 1980s. Online Predators — Myth versus Reality by Janis Wolak, J.D., with the assistance of lindsey evans, stephanie nguyen, and Denise a. Hines, ph.D. Media stories about “online predators” who use the Internet to gain access to young victims have become a staple of news reports since the late 1990s. While researching her book, Identifying Child Molesters, Preventing Child Sexual Abuse by Recognizing the Patterns of the Offenders, Dr. Carla van Dam interviewed over 300 molesters who exhibited similar types of social behaviors. Child molestors typically target lonely children who are vulnerable in some way. But, adults are not always able to “see” predators either. Have you been directed to complete a background check for a specific nonprofit? Make sure you consult with legal counsel before making any claims of this type of behavior. You may not necessarily know these people very well, or only by name/face alone (a neighbor, a coach, a parent of another child you know). The loner type, very few friends and typically not married. Predators usually are intelligent and use this to their advantage. By then, it may be very difficult for a child to turn on his new friend. When most people imagine a child molester, they picture some ugly, old man in a trench coat coaxing children to come to him in exchange for some candy. * Use the parental controls that your Internet Service Provider offers. Understand that any adult could be a child molester. After all he has been so good to her. Online child predators are everywhere! 1. What drives a child molester to victimize a child? These may include the following: * They are afraid of adult intimacy, so they search out children, who are easily manipulated. *This blog originally appeared on Plan to Protect’s website. What are some characteristics of a child predator? Permission has been granted to Verified Volunteer staff to adapt it for their audience and repost. © 2021 LifeTips With the influx of Internet usage in a vast majority of homes, your child just isn't safe! Wait! A child predator most often has limited social skills, but a propensity to engage in conversation with an adolescent or child. * Never leave her unsupervised in a public place or even in your front yard. Predators often set their sights on vulnerable children, such as those who are emotionally fragile or have less parental oversight. The #MeToo social media tsunami has revealed the mind-blowing scope of sexual exploitation. Millions of children and teens are on the Internet everyday. To Identify a Predator: The Characteristics of a Pedophile. There are some individuals who are less stressed around children, which tend to make them act nicer to kids than adults. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Child Protection tips and hundreds of other topics. * Do a child predator search by inputing that person's e-mail address. Predators can be anyone, including a family member, colleague, coach or friend. Request a Tip Now! * Keep your computer in a a popular area of your home, such as the kitchen, living room, etc. Tips on Leveraging Key Alliances and Mitigating Risk for Volunteer Programs Amid a Pandemic, Ways to Sustain and Adapt Volunteer Engagement in Our New Reality, Adapting Training for Virtual Presentation, Best Practices to follow for Virtual Volunteers, A Guide to Volunteering – 8 Ways You Can Help During COVID-19.