Things we should know about child molesters. (They are everywhere.)

[CoffeeCat]

1. The statistics repeatedly bear out that 1 in 4 women; and 1 in 7 men...

…were sexually abused before the age of 18. As you said, most molestations are perpetrated by someone the child knows, usually someone inside the home.

I've sat in support groups and listened to many stories. It's bizarre how so many victims describe their fathers--prominent businessmen, accountants, pastors, lawyers.

Because of my background, I may be a bit jaded. But on the other hand, I researched sexual abuse quite a bit, and I do know more than the average person. I think we have an epidemic in our country. I think many father and stepfathers sexually abuse their daughters and sons. I would not be shocked if the number was ten percent.

I think many, many powerful people engage in this behavior because they believe they can get away with it. As these types tell their victims repeatedly, "No one will believe you." I also think powerful people are attracted to these types of crimes, because they are sociopaths and psychopaths who have risen to the top in the business world through exploitation and greed. They abuse power at work and enjoy it, and they come home and abuse their kids.

Sexual abuse of children is about the perps desire to powering up on someone and control them. Children are so easily controlled, terrified and stunted into silence. These types enjoy the game.

Look at the latest from the Duggar family. The son who molested those girls was engaging in "acting out" behaviors. Incest happens in families where the kids are being molested. It seems obvious to me that the father was perping that son (and probably others) and his son turned around and did the same thing to his younger siblings. This type of behavior is a major red flag that the son was molested. It's also a major red flag that the Duggar home has issues with boundaries and that there is a lot of very, very deep dysfunction happening. Notice that the father tried to keep the abuse a secret? Notice that it wasn't the victims (his sisters!) who told? There's a serial conspiracy of silence and victimization in that family. The father wanted to keep it quiet--to keep many other secrets quiet. That entire family is probably a nest of incest and pedophilia. Again, not surprising.

I hope one day our society will begin to address this epidemic, but I think one of the main reasons that it is not addressed--is because many in power and in positions of authority--are engaging in it themselves.