Definition of Sexual Predators
Defining the types of sexual predators and the characteristics of each is important information for sexual offense prevention. Sexual predators are people who specifically plan and work toward the goal of acting on unusual desires or fantasies that may result in sexually inappropriate behaviors towards unwilling parties. Sexual predators can be men or women and prey on people young or old. Different types of predators have different characteristics.
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Pedophilia
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Sexual predators that prey on children are called pedophiles. Pedophiles will work hard to earn a child's trust, go to extremes to be alone with children, encourage children to keep secrets and allow children to do things that are against their parents' rules. Small secrets such as gifts turn into big secrets such as alcohol or drug use, pornography or sexual molestation.
Exhibitionism
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Sexual predators that expose themselves to unwilling parties are called exhibitionists. Exhibitionists expose themselves to others and are intensely aroused by this behavior. Exhibitionists typically target people in public, exposing themselves and escaping quickly to avoid capture.
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Frotteurism
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Sexual predators that fondle, touch or rub against others who do not consent are called frotteurists. Frotteurists are intensely aroused by fantasies and actions that involve rubbing themselves in a sexual manner up against unwilling parties. Frotteurists may do this behavior in crowded places to keep the incident secret or to claim that it was just an accident.
Voyeurism
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Sexual predators that observe others who are unaware they are being watched are called voyeurists. Voyeurists are sometimes called "peeping Toms." Watching individuals who are naked or having intercourse is sexually arousing to the voyeurist. Voyeurists are difficult to identify, as the offender is often hidden from plain view.
Sexual Sadism
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Sexual predators who fantasize and gain pleasure from the suffering of others through sexual acts is called a sexual sadist. Sexual sadists are aroused by sexual activity that may physically or psychologically harm another. They enjoy humiliating the victim, which is related to the need for control of the situation. Rapists will typically fall into this category.
Other Factors
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Family history can play a role in sexual predation. Someone who has been abused in the past is more likely to repeat patterns of inappropriate behavior toward others. Predators are also more likely to use sexual language frequently, associate sex with any and all relationships, have a preoccupation with pornographic images and may have a history of arrest for sex crimes.
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