Unreported Child Molestation

Unreported Child Molestation



Unreported Child Molestation

Introduction

Child molesters are sex offenders whose victims include minors (under the age of 18). Child molesters can be further categorized by their sexual preferences. Those child molesters who are sexually attracted to children under the age of 13 (i.e., prepubescent children) are referred to as pedophiles, while child molesters whose sexual preference is for teenagers or those between the ages of 13 and 18, are considered hebophiles. However, it should be noted that neither pedophilia nor hebophilia are considered crimes, as they relate only to sexual interest and not to the commission of any sexual act (Wood, 2008).

Child molesters generally report attraction to children of a certain age that are not related to them. Some child molesters have only male victims, some only female victims, while other child molesters offend against both boys and girls. Child molesters who offend against boys have been found to have higher rates of recidivism (Snyder, 2008).

Discussion

Child molestation can involve a variety of inappropriate sexual activities and behaviors. These include undressing the child, exposing themselves to the child, masturbating in front of the child, or touching and fondling the child. They could also include more serious sexual offenses, including performing fellatio or cunnilingus on the child or penetrating the child's vagina, mouth, or anus with their fingers, foreign objects, or penis. Physical force, coercion, or threats may be used to compel the child into the sexual act (Goldstein, 2007).

To gain access to their victims, child molesters often engage in relationships with the child or with the adult guardians of the child. This is referred to as grooming behavior. The sex offender appears to be very interested in the child's needs to gain the child's affection and loyalty and the guardian's confidence so that the molestation will not be reported. Some child molesters may also use threats to prevent the children from reporting the abuse.

Child molesters often believe that their victims want to be involved in a sexual relationship. When a child responds positively to the grooming behavior, the child molester interprets this as the willing participation of the victim. As a result, the child molester can believe that the molestation is not damaging to the child. This is referred to as a cognitive distortion (Wood, 2008).

All states require some kind of mandated child abuse reporting. Reporting laws most often require specified professionals (e.g., physicians, teachers) who have contact with children to report to law enforcement, the department of social services, or child protection agencies incidents in which abuse is suspected. These laws were developed in order to better protect children. There is variation from state to state about who is mandated to report and what abuse acts require reporting. For example, according to California Penal Code there are two categories of sexual abuse that are reportable: sexual assault and sexual exploitation (Snyder, 2008).

According to the code, sexual assault includes rape and rape in concert; oral copulation and sodomy; lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under the age ...