Child molesters and sex offenders are all over the place. Whether it’s your church community, school, neighborhood, or even within your own home, there is the ubiquitous presence of anyone who seeks to abuse or molest a child. While much has been said about experiences and encounters with these people, no one has really come up with a perfect prevention plan to stop the crime for good. And just like any type of crime, profiling a child molester tells us the true persona of the individual and gives us insight on how to avoid and prevent them from harming our own children. So here are the facts separated from the myths...

Child molesters and sex offenders are all over the place. Whether it’s your church community, school, neighborhood, or even within your own home, there is the ubiquitous presence of anyone who seeks to abuse or molest a child. While much has been said about experiences and encounters with these people, no one has really come up with a perfect prevention plan to stop the crime for good. And just like any type of crime, profiling a child molester tells us the true persona of the individual and gives us insight on how to avoid and prevent them from harming our own children. So here are the facts separated from the myths:

Myth – first impressions last, and this is a wrong notion for people who think that child molesters are the ones who look suspicious and distrustful.

Fact – even those overly confident, wholesome, rich, and pretty individuals can turn out to be child molesters. In fact, they are masters of deception.  Though you can always rely on instincts just by looking at a person, sometimes they can easily slip from your watchful eyes.

Myth – child molesters are lonely, isolated, and prefer to be alone most of the time.

Fact – while some of them may fit this profile, the majority are actually lively, friendly, and have the ability to get along well and blend in. If they stick to being isolated, they cannot go near children. So they have to project an image that’s opposite to who or what they really are.

Myth – child molesters belong to the lowest status in society. They are people who don’t have enough money or income, don’t have stable jobs, and usually have lower intelligence or mental ability.

Fact – child abuse and molestation is not about the kind of life the person has. The practice itself is chiefly caused by a behavioral disorder or mental issue. This means that even the wealthy, smart, and influential member of the community may become a molester. As a matter of fact, statistically speaking, most molesters are educated white men.

Remember that the facts mentioned above are just some of the few signs of a child molester. The purpose of separating the facts from the misconceptions is to remind everyone that these criminal minds are at their best when potential victims are caught unguarded and imprudent.