Comparison of a Child Molester and an On-line Predator

Profile of a Child Molester: Profile of an On-line Predator:

(1) Places themselves in a situation or environment in which they can offend --- (1) Utilizes communications technology as their environment to offend

(2) Developing an attraction and selecting a specific child to abuse --- (2) Uses the number of children on-line to find the one he/she is attracted to.

(3) Engaging the child and/or family in a relationship-- (3) The predator learns of the prey's vulnerabilities and uses them to engage them into relationship. The Internet eliminates the need to engage the family.

(4) Desensitizing and disarming the child and his/her family-- (4)The predator advances the seduction. He/she becomes whatever and says what is necessary to deepen the dependency and trust from his/her prey. Sexual comments are also introduced at this time.

(5) Sexualizing the relationship and abusing the child-- (5) Cyber sex is entered into at this time. They introduce sex or begin asking about body descriptions. For abduction cases, this is when the aggressive solicitation begins (asking them to meet with them, etc). For some predators, this is enough. For others, abduction of their prey occurs.

(6) Maintaining the child's cooperation and silence-- (6) By this time, the predator is sure of the prey's connection with him/her. They use their perceived relationship as the means to maintain their prey's silence.

(7) Avoiding discovery and/or prosecution-- (7) There are many tools available to prevent being tracked. Many Internet Predators are sophisticated in their approaches and abuse of their prey. They find the Internet a very useful tool to communicate with each other, as well as target and abuse their prey. They are very careful and take precautions of getting caught. In the cases of abduction, intimidation increases.

Profile of a Child Molester:	Profile of an On-line Predator:
(1) Places themselves in a situation or environment in which they can offend ---	(1) Utilizes communications technology as their environment to offend
(2) Developing an attraction and selecting a specific child to abuse ---	(2) Uses the number of children on-line to find the one he/she is attracted to.
(3) Engaging the child and/or family in a relationship--	(3) The predator learns of the prey's vulnerabilities and uses them to engage them into relationship. The Internet eliminates the need to engage the family.
(4) Desensitizing and disarming the child and his/her family--	(4)The predator advances the seduction. He/she becomes whatever and says what is necessary to deepen the dependency and trust from his/her prey. Sexual comments are also introduced at this time.
(5) Sexualizing the relationship and abusing the child--	(5) Cyber sex is entered into at this time. They introduce sex or begin asking about body descriptions. For abduction cases, this is when the aggressive solicitation begins (asking them to meet with them, etc). For some predators, this is enough. For others, abduction of their prey occurs.
(6) Maintaining the child's cooperation and silence--	(6) By this time, the predator is sure of the prey's connection with him/her. They use their perceived relationship as the means to maintain their prey's silence.
(7) Avoiding discovery and/or prosecution--	(7) There are many tools available to prevent being tracked. Many Internet Predators are sophisticated in their approaches and abuse of their prey. They find the Internet a very useful tool to communicate with each other, as well as target and abuse their prey. They are very careful and take precautions of getting caught. In the cases of abduction, intimidation increases.