Child Sexual Abuse
Because they are naturally trusting, it does not occur to most children to be wary of or inherently afraid of adults. Add a need for attention and affection and one is left with an impressionable vessel waiting to be filled. Children who do not receive adequate amounts of parental time and love become emotionally needy – another characteristic sought out by adept molesters. They commonly target such children and use attention and affection to unduly influence their victims.
A child’s curiosity can also be a source of vulnerability. As they grow older, children normally become more curious about their bodies and sexual behaviors. Parents are often uncomfortable discussing these topics and as a consequence do not provide adequate, age appropriate information to their children. Molesters exploit this void by appealing to this natural curiosity. They will use books, videos, and other forms of pornography as a way to entice their victims. They will make the case to these children that it’s OK to experiment or act out sexually.
Finally, children will, to varying degrees, rebel against parental authority. As children reach different developmental milestones, their need for autonomy and independence evolves. Molesters will appeal to these needs in their victims and will initially use sexual acts as a way to forge “special relationships” that are not subject to parental control. Eventually, victims come to believe that they cannot turn to their parents for intervention because they have done something that is clearly not approved of. The molester is the sole sounding board for these increasingly isolated victims.
