Child Molester Myths

A child molester is a real-life monster that haunts kids in the daylight hours. We all know that. But we think we know a lot more about them… and what you think you know could hurt your kid.

A lot of times, we confuse the news with the norms. Why? Because the media report the same kind of stories.

But the media reports news because it is... well, new! Or at least its out of the ordinary. But since we don't hear about the ordinary - the ordinary IS news to us!

So which myths do you believe?

MYTH #1
“Child Molesters Are Easy To Spot"

Maybe. Thanks to the movies, we think of a psycho in a trench coat looking for random kids to snatch and rape.

Don’t get me wrong – those are out there… but they are the stupid ones. They're too obvious! They get caught sooner.

The offenders caught later - if ever - are more dangerous and far more common.

Why? They are teachers. Your family. Your friends. They have your trust. And they are hard to spot in your daily life.

People always want to make an exception for someone they know. "Certainly he wouldn't... he couldn't...."

Well, he just might. Don't get paranoid, but don't automatically rule him out because you know and trust him.

MYTH #2
“Stranger Danger Protects My Child”

Sure...but from only strangers.

The FBI says 90% of all abused kids knew their molester. These predators aren’t strangers. They are educators, cousins, parents, neighbors... trusted adults who interact with kids daily.

Need some examples? Click here for some real-life predators who were trusted adults. Same goes for abductors - most kids know their kidnapper too.

Don't get me wrong. Stranger Danger is still important... after all, it's still a terrifying experience for the 10% that did not know their molester.

MYTH #3
"Molesters Abduct Kids to Abuse Them"

No. In fact, most molested children never go missing at all. Why bother kidnapping your kid when the predator can “tutor” or “baby sit” while you are busy?

Abduction is simply too much work.

MYTH #4
“Child Molesters Work In Secret”

Yes... while they are molesting. And they manipulate the child not to tell either.

But pedophiles are getting bolder. They have pedophile organizations that actually lobby Congress to legalize child-adult sex!

As appalling as that is, that’s not all.

Over 90% of convicted molesters will molest again. 90%! But only 3% of these will be caught. Why? They have pedophile websites that give tips on how to molest kids and get away with it.

It disgusts me.

MYTH #5
“Child Molesters ARE Pedophiles”

Mmm, not always. And not all pedophiles are child molesters either. So, what is a pedophile and how is he different from a child molester? Find out more here. Even more crazy is that by definition, pedophiles are not even criminals! What? Not criminals?? Yeah, it’s a scary thought.

MYTH #6
“Internet Pedophiles Pose As Teenagers"

Wrong again.

A few of them pose as kids to attract other kids - but most don't waste their time with pretend.

The Facebook or MySpace pedophile doesn't have to pose.

Kids know they are talking to a 37 year old... and chances are, they also know that he's sexually interested in them.

The difference in who gets molested by an internet pedophile and who doesn't usually depends on the child. Find out if you should be concerned about your kids.

MYTH #7
“Women Don’t Molest Kids"

Oh yes they do! And even though most child predators are male, female pedophiles are on the rise.

And there are more than just the female teacher/lovers that we hear about in the news. There are enough female pedophiles to classify them into categories. And sex-crimes against children that are committed by women are some of the most under-reported crimes.

MYTH #8
“ALL Child Molesters Are On The Sex Offender List”

Nope. Even some tried and condemned sexual predators never make the list! Depending on the state, they must meet “special requirements” first.

Oh, and just because somebody says they have to register does not mean they will!

Not to mention all the child molesters who are tried but NOT convicted.

The sex-offender list is a great tool - it really is. But it has it's limits.

Sometimes the more you learn about child molesters, the more questions you have. Get your questions answered here.

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