Psychological profile of pedophiles and child molesters

Pedophiles and child molesters share some characteristics. Most are male, a nd they can be heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. Some prefer adult sex partners but choose children because they are available and vulnerable. Th e sexual abuse perpetrated may be a 1-time incident and may consist only of fondling. Penetration is unlikely with young children. Perpetrators' ages range from teens to midlife. Most victims are girls, and the perpetrator us ually is a relative, friend, or neighbor. The home of the victim is often t he setting for the incident. When boys are victims, sexual abuse may take p lace outside the home, and perpetrators may be strangers. Perpetrators of s exual abuse of children often claim that they themselves were victims of ch ildhood sexual abuse. Psychological profiles are helpful but are compromise d partly because many perpetrators are prisoners and control groups are lac king for this research.