Sexual Predator Behavior

Sexual abuse can happen to anyone.

While it may be easier to believe that sexual predators are inhuman, it is important to understand their behaviors. Anyone could be a sexual predator, so by learning the typical behavior of predators, you can keep yourself informed and aware.

Characteristics

Sexual predators come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are not isolated to any one nationality, profession, level of intelligence or even age. Children who are sexually abused are more likely to become predators themselves and the behaviors can start as early as eight years of age in some children.

Victim Targeting

Sexual predators select or target victims based on a general list of criteria. From most important to least, the criteria are vulnerability, availability, gender, location, race and appearance. Sexual predators also may target victims based on age, if the predator has a preference, as in pedophiles who target children. Gender is also a factor in selection. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement states that one in five girls and one in ten boys are sexually abused before adulthood.

Types of Abuse by Predators

Sexual abuse takes many forms. Forced prostitution, also called human trafficking, is one type of abuse where the victim is forced to perform sexual acts for the monetary gain of the abuser. Molestation and rape are common forms of abuse, where the abuser directly receives sexual gratification by inappropriate and violent contact with the victim. Child pornography is a form of sexual abuse that is usually linked to illegal websites, where children are portrayed in sexual photos and videos. Some of the pornography is also evidence of other types of sexual abuse, such as molestation, rape and forced prostitution.

References

• US Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Operation Predator: Targeting Child Exploitation and Sexual Crimes
• Tulare County: Sexual Predator Facts