It is not easy to identify adults who sexually abuse children. All social classes, races, and vocations are represented. Though as for race the abuser will typically select victims from within their own race. Most commonly the the perpetrators are males ranging in age from adolescence to middle age. Of known abusers men out number women eight to one, though many abusers are certainly unknown.
As many as one third of abusers are in some sort of substance abuse relationship (i.e., drugs or alcohol). Most often the abuser is known by the victim. Within families the most frequent molesters are fathers, step-fathers, uncles, grandfathers, cousins, and brothers. In a family environment girls are significantly more likely then boys to be molested. It would appear that many cases of father-child incest appear to be a reaction to stresses and losses that threaten the fathers masculinity, other cases have been seen as an expression of anger
A child molester can be classified into three sub group depending on the motivations behind their crimes. The first group is the pedophiles. A pedophile is attracted to children sexually and receive gratification by their actions. They often seduce children with attention and gifts. A second group can be classified as the child haters - sociopaths. While gratification may occur from molesters with this motivation it is more an issue of power then it is sexual desire. These offenders are similar to the 'power' motivated rapists seen in other sexual crimes. The primary difference is the target of their actions. The final group is those who are profiteers of child pornography or child prostitution. While this group may also include members of the above, the primary motivation is financial.
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